USC defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox will not return

USC defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox and three other assistant coaches will not return next season under new head coach Clay Helton.

USC defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox and three other assistant coaches will not return next season under new head coach Clay Helton, Helton announced Sunday. The rest of the staff will be retained, Helton said.

In addition to Wilcox, defensive backs coach/defensive pass game coordinator Keith Heyward, offensive line coach/run game coordinator Bob Connelly and defensive line coach Chris Wilson will not be with the Trojans next year. 

Wilcox was USC’s defensive coordinator for two seasons, having served in the same capacity at Washington under former USC head coach Steve Sarkisian. 

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The 2015 season was Connelly’s first season at USC, following one season as the offensive line coach at Oklahoma State. Wilson and Heyward each spent two years on the USC staff.

Helton was named USC’s interim coach after Sarkisian’s dismissal and was promoted on a permanent basis last week. 

- Dan Gartland