Former USC head coach Clay Helton lands new head coaching job

Clay Helton Former USC Trojans has landed himself another coaching gig. According to Yahoo Sports Helton is signing a five-year deal to become the new head coach at Georgia Southern. Georgia Southern has since confirmed the signing. The former USC headman is expected to start immediately and begin recruiting and assembling his staff. The deal will average him about $800,000 a season.

How He landed with the Eagles

Georgia Southern has been in the market for a coach since firing Chad Lunsford on Sept. 26, which came a day after the Eagles fell to 1-3 with a 28-20 loss to Louisiana. Entering this season, Georgia Southern had won at least seven games in three consecutive seasons, including a 10-3 record in 2018 and an 8-5 mark last season.

Helton was fired in September after losing to the Stanford Cardinals at home. He finished his career at USC with a 46 – 24 record. He leaves USC having won three PAC 12 titles. And is credited for being highly responsible for the development of Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold. This hire for the Eagles gives them one of the most recognizable coaching names in their conference. And is sure to help boost the level of their recruiting classes; as Helton is regarded as a players coach in the college football coaching world.

Helton had been at USC since 2010, going back to when he was hired as the Trojans’ quarterbacks coach under Lane Kiffin. Before going to USC, Helton was an assistant at Memphis from 2000-09. His brother, Tyson, is coach at Western Kentucky. Unfortunately, was never able to bring the Trojans back to the national success they had throughout the 2000s under Pete Carroll.

Clay Helton pens heartfelt note to USC Trojans, fans

Even on one of the darkest days of his career, Helton remained all class. Shortly after the news became official, Helton took to Twitter to pen a heartfelt, raw message to the USC faithful.

“On behalf of my family, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity of a lifetime to serve as your Head Football Coach at USC,” Clay Helton said in the message he posted on his official Twitter account. “I want to thank the administration, our Trojan students, alumni, and fans for allowing us to be a part of your family.”

Moreover, Helton spoke directly to the players that respected him greatly.

“To our players, both past and present, I am forever indebted to you for what you have given me,” Helton said in the second part of the message. “The relationships we have made and the memories we have made will be with us forever. I am so appreciative for all of the hard work that our current staff and student-athletes have put into preparing for this season, and while it will be hard to not be in the fight with you, I am confident that great things lie ahead. As you compete for a championship, no one will be cheering louder than the Helton family. Fight on!”

As you can see, it truly feels like Helton was liked by nearly everyone associated with the Trojans program and college football in general. The outpouring of support from current players, alumni, coaches and media members was abundant.

Georgia Southern is stepping up its game by hiring the former Trojans head coach. This move could possibly set them up to be the next upstart team outside of the Power-5 conferences.