Mailbag: What's the next Stepp for Clay Helton, USC?

USC's win versus Utah quieted the noise surrounding Clay Helton's status. For now. Let's get into the questions.

When will we find out who our next AD is? And who do you think? Hearing a lot about Mark Jackson. I know people don't want any SC connections, but we can do a lot worse (ex SC player). Still hoping we get someone that understands football on the big stage.
— WC SC ✌🏼⚡ (@WCfootball4) September 23, 2019

I haven't heard anything concrete beyond what I've reported. Let's see what happens in the next few weeks in terms of the coaching situation. I could see both of these situations being resolved in the near future.

Will Clay get canned if USC wins the Pac-12 South and plays in the Pac-12 Championship game
— Isaiah Leung (@leung_isaiah) September 24, 2019

I think he'll have to win the conference title game, assuming he is given the chance to coach it.

I read both that players love Helton but also that players are upset with Helton and co. I struggle to understand this dichotomy. Can you break down how the players actually view this coaching staff (and especially Clay)?
— Z-Co (@twiggydig) September 23, 2019

When it comes to USC coverage, always consider the source of your reading and what their agenda is. The players are behind Helton. But they realize this season might get weird. It's beyond their control, so I think their focus has been to just play and not allow all the noise be a distraction. I'd say they've handled it all really well.

The 2020 class is compromised by Helton's uncertain future. There's no way around it. USC either has to commit to him long-term or cut ties and make a program-changing hire before Early Signing Day. That's the only way this recruiting class can be salvaged. Simply winning 9-10 games this fall won't be enough.

Your predictions on Wins-Loses for the remaining 8 games?
— jp (@JPtrojanFan) September 23, 2019

Really putting me on the spot. I'd be perfectly fine making predictions, only we don't know when Slovis will return or how long Helton will be at the helm. So it's impossible for me to forecast. My thought coming into the season was USC would be 3-3 at the halfway point and win five of its final six (with a loss to Oregon). I think it's more likely that the Trojans are 3-3 after Notre Dame and then lose to Oregon as well as one of the back-to-back road games against Cal and ASU. But don't hold me to this.

With BY decommitting, are we seriously pursuing another 2020 QB? Stroud or someone else? Or are we focusing more on 2021 guys like Garcia & Moss?
— KtownTrojan (@gepetohong) September 24, 2019

USC has to sign a 2020 quarterback. Absolutely has to. Can't go into next season with just the current three, especially when you don't know when Daniels will be healthy. I could also see either him or Fink transferring. Young left USC in a terrible predicament but the staff will have to regroup and identify an alternative. C.J. Stroud would be the ideal solution.

I understand why people want that. You like seeing the bigger impact player at MLB. Clancy Pendergast isn't going to switch them, however. He wants Houston making the defensive calls.

Yup. Graham Harrell made that clear this week.

Thoughts and prayers? No, this game will actually be a good litmus. My gut is telling me he'll finally surpass Stephen Carr in terms of rushing attempts. But as far as Stepp seeing a consistent workload, it might not happen in this offense. It's probably too pass-heavy for him to have a defined role beyond short-yardage situations. The staff also likes Vavae Malepeai too much to feature Stepp.

Do we still have an outside shot at Bryce Young, recommitting, if/when the athletic department house cleaning happens b4 the early signing date? He'd most likely beat out JT and the two other QB's in spring.
What a disaster for Helton/staff to have let Bryce walk. duh!
— Gillyking (@Gillyking) September 23, 2019

I'm told this is a possible scenario with Young, though I'm personally skeptical. Alabama is a slam-dunk situation as far as football is concerned. Also, beating out Daniels in the spring isn't even a factor. Daniels will be out until at least the summer. But if Harrell is still at USC, Slovis is his QB. Young isn't going to say all that but he knows.

That's pretty much the story. Do I think it was deserved? Not from what I've seen on the field. (Sometimes there are off-the-field reasons for this stuff that aren't made public.) As far as football is concerned, Williams has a higher ceiling and I think he's ripe to produce now. ... I figured Velus Jones would be used more in the slot. In theory, his speed is a weapon. But he hasn't proven to be a reliable pass-catcher. That might be what buried Williams too. They've both had their fair share of drops.

Do or have the defensive coaches addressed the huge dropoff in takeaways the last two years?
We have some playmakers. Very few are making plays.
— Tom T (@TTolman) September 26, 2019

It comes up with the media, so surely it comes up in their meetings. My guess here is that Pendergast's scheme calls for more thinking and reacting than playmaking.

Why don't they play Markese Stepp more? Please
— BIG LEN #12 (@larzate731) September 26, 2019

I feel like I've done all I can on this front, lol.

I understand that USC can’t keep going on determining weather or not Helton is off the hot seat one week and on the next.. if he is retained, and is absolutely obliterated by Alabama next year.. is it back to this broken record of hot seat talk? How long can this go on for?
— All Day Trojans (@AllTrojans) September 26, 2019

This is a great point and why I feel like they'll ultimately move on regardless of what happens this season, outside of winning out.

Didn't get your question in this time? I’ll be doing these regularly moving forward. Follow me on Twitter @AdamJMaya.

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