NCAA's 2015 Black Sunday was definitely one for the books. UGA fired longtime, beloved coach Mark Richt (much to UGA's football fans' dismay), Mike London finally stepped down from Virginia's coaching job (much to my dad's delight), and Rutgers had a big day, giving the boot to both head coach Kyle Flood and AD Julie Hermann. And to think, everyone was worried about LSU losing Les Miles (come on people, as if).
But in the midst of multiple coaches -- and coaching jobs -- up for grabs, USC Athletics announced this morning that our team is sticking with interim coach Clay Helton for the next five years. And you know what? Some fans might be pissed, but I'm personally pretty happy with the choice. Here's a few reasons why.
Helton is a grown-a*s adult.
And our team is in dire need of one of those in charge after the fanfare and proceeding mess that has been the era of Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian. AD Pat Haden put it perfectly himself in the press conference this morning. "We have a man with unquestioned integrity," Haden said. "He is a leader and mentor and terrific communicator."
Helton's been the first coach in a while that fully grasps that his duty is to this team. He knows he's not a big name and doesn't want to embody the flashiness that has come with this head coach position in the past.
Helton thinks the blue collar mentality is what wins championships.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) November 30, 2015He might be an underwhelming choice when coaches like Sean Payton and Chip Kelly were tossed into the list to pursue, but hey, Pete Carroll was a left-field pick when he was hired, but look where that got us. Sure, you could say that was a once-in-a-lifetime hire, but let Helton prove what he's worth.
He stepped up to the plate when it mattered.
Remember when our fave, Coach O, ditched the team before our bowl appearance in 2013? I do, because Coach Helton took the reins, and didn't throw a hissy fit afterwards when Sark got the job.
"We've known Clay Helton over the past couple of years and he has earned this opportunity," said Haden at this morning's press conference. "He has been a rock in this department. He was built to be a head coach."
Helton's been loyal, patient, and drama-free, and he's proven himself capable of being the leader our team needs. He's taken on the interim position for a second time this season and led the team to 5-2 record a PAC-12 South Title. Sure, it was a little messy getting there, but I'll take a loss to Oregon any day as long as I get to bRuin some UCLA fans' hopes the next week.
Though the timing of this hire is a little funky leading up this Saturday's PAC-12 Championship game against Stanford, I say we see how he and the team does on the field before we dub Haden's choice a terrible one.
The team trusts him.
Helton was greeted with a standing ovation from the USC Football Team this morning, along with multiple congratulatory tweets for players and top recruits alike.
Best coach out there! Couldn't be more happy with the decision.. Fight On Coach Helton ✌️✌️✌️❤️💛 @USCCoachHelton
— Josh Imatorbhebhe (@Ball4Him_24) November 30, 2015Sure, Trojan Nation, we're invested in this team and we want them to win, but if our boys believe in Helton, we should too.
