USC Mailbag: What's Going On With Clay Helton, Urban Meyer?

You asked, I answered ...

Courtesy of USC Athletics/John McGillen

On the eve of USC's regular-season finale against UCLA, all eyes are on new athletic director Mike Bohn and what course of action he takes with Clay Helton. It could be a crazy next few days/weeks, so let's get into the questions.

Is Sunday the day?

— Mitch Stein (@MitchStein6666) November 19, 2019

It's the day of USC's team banquet and a great day for Friendsgiving gatherings. I believe that is all.

Everything seems quiet at SC at the moment.. should we be worried?

Great work by the way ✌

— All Day Trojans (@AllTrojans) November 19, 2019

Thanks! Too early for worry. President Carol Folt and Co. did a good job keeping their AD search discreet. We might see the same with a coaching search. It'd be more concerning if they dismiss Clay Helton and don't have a hire lined up soon after.

Do you really think CCH will be gone ? Every day I'm starting to feel like he will be back next year.

— Richard Merryman (@uscrick55) November 20, 2019

He’s coming back isn’t he? The grim sleeper. Rip Van Helton.

— Crunch Time Trojan (@CrunchTimeTroy) November 20, 2019

Erik McKinney of WeAreSC.com put it best: I'm most comfortable saying Helton will coach the UCLA game and that he won't coach the Alabama game next September. Everything in between is unclear.

Does Graham stay with Urban?

— J B (@jbrax1122) November 19, 2019

I could see Graham Harrell staying on with certain head coaches. He talks like someone who'd not only like to remain at USC but plans to, at least as much as he can.

Do you believe Bohn has already been in touch with UM behind the scenes?

— Introspekt (@IntrospektKevin) November 19, 2019

How is it looking on the Urban Meyer potential hire?

— Darnell Jackson📸🌎🌴 (@Mr_D_Jack) November 19, 2019

Things are trending negatively on that front. It's not a matter of USC's interest in or willingness to hire Urban Meyer, though it might be spun differently if he ultimately doesn't come. The donors are down to seal the deal. But several sources, including some in Columbus, have told me in the past week that Meyer and his camp are telling people he really likes what he's doing with FOX and is not looking to get back into coaching at this time. As I say all that, some in Heritage Hall still swear Meyer is coming. His level of interest in the USC job has long been the great unknown. Maybe it changes if/when the position is officially vacant. But I wouldn't expect Meyer to be the Trojans' next head coach.

How do you think USC manages Helton’s job if we win Saturday and Utah wins Saturday? Will they wait until next weekend to see if we can back into the Pac-12 title game with a Utah loss or do they make the move after the Sunday banquet?

— KSPN (@KunalKhaitani) November 19, 2019

Tying in to a previous question, is there any way helton can keep his job outside of the near impossibility of a rose bowl berth?

— johnny morton (@johnnymortonsup) November 19, 2019

With early recruiting period around the corner are we going to have a new coaching staff or the same one from this season??

— REP💯 (@sudwceo148) November 19, 2019

I hate to say it but I believe if we win on Saturday( Win by a lot) there's a good chance Helton is staying...just sayin.....🤦‍♂️

— Casablanca_07 (@Elchamaco_07) November 19, 2019

I'm told Helton stays on at least another week if USC beats UCLA, strictly for the purpose of potentially coaching the Pac-12 title game should the Trojans win the South. New AD Mike Bohn wouldn't want the players to be led by an interim coach in that game. While no one has told me Helton could return next season, it would be absolutely fascinating if USC wound up in the conference title game and won it. Are you really going to move on Helton if the team beats Oregon, wins six of seven, is 9-4 overall and ranked in the top 15, and headed to the Rose Bowl? As unlikely as that development is, I feel like USC is making itself vulnerable by waiting, it the plan is to ultimately make a coaching change.

Here's the math... USC is currently at 80 scholarships. Seven seniors are coming off the books. It was eight, but linebacker Jordan Iosefa is redshirting and will return. The Trojans also figure to add linebacker Tayler Katoa, who went on his Mormon mission almost two years ago. He'll count toward the overall 85 but not next year's signing class, which currently has 10 commits. That leaves USC with 74 scholarships spoken for and guarantees only 11 spots for the 2020 class. But that number will inevitably be higher once you factor in other departures (i.e. early draft entrants, transfers, etc.). It's going to be a relatively small signing class. But a new coaching regime would prompt a lot of movement. It always does.

If USC's fires Helton, is there any financial benefit for USC to wait until early December to fire him? Does Helton's buy out decrease in early December?

— Frank Cruz (@scbtnd) November 19, 2019

I'm hearing that could be a factor.

Will Helton be fired Saturday night, Sunday, or Monday?

— h. (@hbuckets2) November 19, 2019

Nothing is going down Saturday night or Sunday. Monday could be the day if USC loses to UCLA.

How bad does the quality of; play, recruiting, game attendance and TV ratings need to before Helton is allowed to back up a Brinks Truck and take his buy out home.

— Richard Cavallero (@RMC805) November 20, 2019

As much as the 2019 team has improved and persevered compared to last season -- even Helton's strongest critics would admit the Trojans are objectively better than they were a year ago, and they're primed to be even better next year -- I believe the factors noted above will ultimately force a change. USC might very well close out the regular season 8-4, ranked in the top 20 and headed to the Alamo Bowl. It's a nice rebound from 5-7. And if last season hadn't happened, Helton wouldn't even be on the hot seat. But I'm expecting this all to be deemed too little, too late.

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