USC athletic director Pat Haden announced Monday that interim head coach Clay Helton has signed a multi-year agreement to be the Trojans' permanent head coach.
"After weeks of searching the collegiate and pro ranks, interviewing candidates, and speaking with head coaches, athletic directors, NFL executives, and very knowledgeable football people, and after observing Clay in action this past seven weeks, it became abundantly clear that what we were searching for in a coach was right here in front of us," said Haden, via the USC Trojans team website. "Choosing a coach in an inexact science. In Clay's case, there is exactness. We have a man with unquestioned integrity. He is a fantastic person and he is real. Clay is a leader of young men. He is a terrific communicator. He brings high character, stability, continuity, toughness and resiliency to our program."
Helton led the Trojans to a 5-2 record and a berth in the Pac-12 Championship Game this season. USC was 3-2 before firing head coach Steve Sarkisian, and have looked like a dominant team since making the move. USC finished with a 6-3 record in the conference, and had statement wins in their division over Utah and UCLA.
The Trojans were not in the College Football Playoff poll going in their matchup with UCLA this past weekend, but after guaranteeing themselves a spot in the Pac-12 Championship game they will surely move up in the rankings this week. The Trojans face the Stanford Cardinals this Saturday for a right to be Pac-12 Champions, and it will be interesting to see how the Trojans play under Helton in his first official game as permanent head coach.
