USC coach Steve Sarkisian gives play-calling duties to OC Clay Helton

USC coach Steve Sarkisian will give up playcalling duties.

USC head coach Steve Sarkisian will no longer call the plays on offense, he announced Saturday. 

Offensive coordinator Clay Helton will take over play-calling duties for the Trojans. 

“I'm still going to have input, especially in third-down and red-zone scenarios,” said Sarkisian, according to the Los Angeles Times. “But I also want to focus on being a really good head coach.”

Helton has been with USC since 2010. In 2013, he called plays as the Trojans' interim head coach for one game in the Las Vegas Bowl. Sarkisian is entering his second season as USC's head coach. 

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Last season, the Trojans averaged 35.8 points per game, tied for the 23rd-most in the country. They finished 34th in total offense. 

Helton's first chance at calling plays this season will come on Sept. 5, when USC opens their schedule against Arkansas State.