Clancy Pendergast named USC defensive coordinator

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Clancy Pendergast has been named Southern California's defensive coordinator by coach Lane Kiffin. USC hired Pendergast on Friday

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Clancy Pendergast has been named Southern California's defensive coordinator by coach Lane Kiffin.

USC hired Pendergast on Friday essentially to replace Monte Kiffin, who resigned in late November.

Pendergast was California's defensive coordinator for the past three seasons after spending six years as an NFL defensive coordinator with Kansas City and Arizona.

Monte Kiffin's title at USC was assistant head coach, but he ran the Trojans' defense for three seasons on his son's staff. Ed Orgeron, who was Kiffin's defensive coordinator, now will be the assistant head coach.

USC's defense struggled mightily last season under Monte Kiffin, yielding 178 points while the Trojans lost four of their final five regular-season games. The Trojans also lost the Sun Bowl to Georgia Tech, completing their fall from a preseason No. 1 ranking.