Podcast: Why USC Trojans must make homerun hire to win over recruits

Erik McKinney of WeAreSC joins On3 Senior National Recruiting Editor Jeremy Crabtree on the Over the Middle podcast.

They discuss why USC made a move to fire Clay Helton after only two games, why he didn’t succeed with the Trojans and what type of coach must be hired for them to win over top recruits.

Over the Middle with Jeremy Crabtree · Erik McKinney Looks at the Turmoil at USC

USC recruits in wait-and-see mode

McKinney said for the most part – and as expected – USC recruits are waiting to see what happens with the coaching situation. However, it’s not stopped other schools from targeting their commitments.

McKinney talked about quarterback commitment Devin Brown and how UCLA and former USC head coach Lane Kiffin are now targeting the four-star.

But the biggest name on the list is five-star cornerback Domani Jackson of tradition-rich Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei. McKinney said before the coaching change there was about a “zero percent chance he was going to flip to Michigan or Alabama.”

“He was going to come to USC,” McKinney said. “I had no concerns about any other school. At this point, I think the only concern becomes what happens with (interim head coach) Donte Williams.

“Donte and Domani are so close. I feel very confident that if Donte Williams is still at USC when it comes time for Domani Jackson to have to sign something, he ends up at USC.”

Why didn’t recruits respond to Helton?

McKinney pointed to several reasons why recruits didn’t respond to Helton’s message, but he also pointed out some structural flaws within the program itself. He said USC had to scramble to build out its recruiting staff to compete with the other powers of college football that have sometimes double-digit employees focused on recruiting.

He also pointed out USC’s struggles with quarterback recruiting.

Kedon Slovis has been a solid signal-caller for the Trojans and freshman Jaxson Dart looks like a star in the making. With that said, the losses in state in the 2020 class were very difficult for a USC program that had a long tradition of winning over local quarterbacks. 

McKinney said the flip of five-star Bryce Young to Alabama in the 2020 cycle hurt badly from a perception standpoint. Coupled with five-star D.J. Uiagalelei picking to Clemson and C.J. Stroud becoming the starter at Ohio State, the in-state signal-caller losses mounted too quickly.

What candidates would win over USC recruits?

McKinney and Crabtree talked about the WeAreSC Hot Board that has several prime candidates on it. McKinney said Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell and Penn State’s James Franklin are two names that get mentioned a lot with the job. He believes Fickell could be intriguing candidates with recruits and with the USC fan base.

“I think Fickell is probably the better personality fit for USC and for the West Coast,” McKinney said. “But the USC program is a little different, especially when you’re dealing with things outside of football. In terms of boosters. In terms of atmosphere. With NIL now and with you’re going to have to navigate there. For some coaches, it’ll be a learning experience and figuring that out.

“I think Fickell makes sense from that. If you’re looking for a guy who is ready to make that jump, he’s the guy. But is he comfortable and ready to make that jump now that Cincinnati is going to a Power 5 conference?”

Eric Bieniemy could do damage on trail for USC

Then the discussion turned to Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

He’s a Southern California native (prepped at Bishop Amat) with coaching experience in the Pac-12 footprint (Colorado and UCLA running backs coach, Colorado offensive coordinator) and now helps orchestrate one of the most potent offenses in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs. Colorado showed interest in bringing Bieniemy in as its head coach last year but Bienemy turned it down.

“He’s right there at the top of the list for me,” McKinney said. “If you want to talk about questions, yeah, he’s never had head coaching experience. Mike Bohn the athletic director at USC mentioned there’s no replacing head coaching experience.

“He then had a but. But we’re looking for leadership, integrity, high character, and someone who can connect with recruits and young people. Bieniemy, to me, is that name that is ‘Ok how would he do,’ especially with recruits.

“Coming back home to Southern California. He’s a guy that a lot of people out here respect. He’s got experience at Colorado. He coached Maurice Jones-Drew at UCLA. A big-time recruit himself from out here. That would be a hit.”