USC names Clay Helton head coach, removes interim tag

Clay Helton will be the head coach for the Southern California Trojans, the school announced Monday on Twitter.

The 43-year-old Helton has been an assistant with USC since 2010, working under both Lane Kiffin and Sarkisian.

He was offensive coordinator when Sarkisian was fired on Oct. 12. Sarkisian acknowledged he was struggling with alcohol after he went on an obscenity-laced rant at a booster function

"After weeks of searching the collegiate and pro ranks, interviewing candidates, and speaking with ehad coaches, athletic directors, NF executives, and very knowledgeable football people, and after observing Clay in action the past seven weeks, it became abundantly clear that what we were searcing for in a coach was reight here in front of us," athletics director Pat Haden said in a statement. "Choosing a coach is an inexact science. In Clay's case, there's exactness. We have a man with unquestioned integrity. He is a fantastic person and he is real. Clay is a leader of young men. He is a terrific communicator. he brings high character, stability, continuity, consistency, toughness and resiliency to our program.

"We have known Clay well for the past six years. He earned this opportunity. He has been positive and upbeat handling adversity. He was built to be a head coach. Football is his family business. he is a coach on the rise and will be coaching a team on the rise. As our interim head coach, Clay brough back USC's style of physical football. I have been impressed with how hard and how inspired our team has played for him, as well as the support they have shown for him."

The Trojans are 5-2 this season under Helton, and they clinched the Pac-12 South with a 40-21 victory Saturday against crosstown rival UCLA. USC, No. 24 in the Amway Coaches Poll, will face No. 7 Stanford on Saturday in Santa Clara, Calif., for the Pac-12 title.

Since Helton took over, USC has victories against two Top 25 teams (Utah and UCLA) and the Trojans have outrushed opponents in each game (by an average of 263-124 yards) and been plus-9 in turnovers.

“During my six years here, I have learned the standard of excellence that it takes to be a Trojan. I understand the expectations of this great university and welcome the challenge. I am so proud to have the chance to lead what I feel is the pinnacle of college football and to represent our Trojan Family,” Helton said.

The timing of Haden’s move was surprising, even if the outcome had seemed increasingly plausible for weeks. Faced with an unwanted midseason coaching change, little news leaked about USC’s search — and Haden flatly denied that he had interviewed Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly, a popular candidate among fans and alumni.

Helton said he hasn’t made any decisions on his staff makeup. He has continued to serve as his own offensive coordinator since his promotion.

“We made a commitment as a staff seven weeks ago that we would focus on this season, these players, their experience and getting them to a championship,” Helton said.

Helton's promotion takes one of the best jobs in the country off the market during what has been an already active season for coaching changes.

Contributing: The Associated Press

GALLERY: COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHING CAROUSEL