USC football fans were fed up with head coach Clay Helton during the UCLA game.
There has been no head coach more scrutinized in college football than Clay Helton of the USC Trojans. Well, maybe Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines has a word to say about this specific topic. But that’s neither here nor there.
Just hours before their game against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, USC and their loyal fans learned that the team officially clinched a spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game following Utah’s win over Colorado. That was good news for the Trojans that instantly became forgotten about, as Helton’s team struggled against the Chip Kelly-led Bruins.
Of course, that instantly resulted in Twitter users calling for Helton to be fired.
May this be the #USCvsUCLA game that finally results in Clay Helton being fired
— Ryan Pearson (@ryanwrd) December 13, 2020
Fire Clay Helton ! @USC_FB #fighton
— Chris (@calikodiak88) December 13, 2020
When #USC is losing, but you’re kind of optimistic it’ll lead to the firing of Clay Helton... #USCvsUCLA pic.twitter.com/InQxyd9d4y
— Brent J Caldwell (@brentwOOOd) December 13, 2020
Hey USC Football, please fire Clay Helton
— Vinnie Alfino⚡️ (@vinniealfino42) December 13, 2020
Clay Helton never a stranger to scrutiny
The Trojans entered halftime with a 21-10 deficit, as all three touchdowns came from the arm of quarterback Dorion Thompson-Robinson. The start of the second half didn’t get any better for USC football, as UCLA stormed down the field on seven plays, with the drive concluding on a 15-yard touchdown run by Brittain Brown. Down 28-10, and the fanbase was officially fed up.
I've never seen a team with the obvious talent advantage get taken to the woodshed due to awful coaching as often as a #ClayHelton led #usctrojans team..
— Abe_Ramos (@Abe_Ramos) December 13, 2020
Clay Helton man. Why not just fire him? I don’t understand it
— Jeter (@Jporterrr5) December 13, 2020
Helton has been scrutinized of late due to the team’s lack of success in the recruiting department. That’s strange, considering USC was once college football’s powerhouse in securing high school talent. Since the team’s Rose Bowl win over Penn State in 2016, the Trojans haven’t had similar success, as they lost in the Cotton Bowl in 2017 and the Holiday Bowl in 2019.
All this talent on this team gettin ruined by Clay Helton smh such a shame
— Dredd (@_baller15) December 13, 2020
FIRE CLAY HELTON YOU COWARDS @USC_mikebohn @PresidentFolt
— Lynn Grey (@iAmLynn81) December 13, 2020
FIRE CLAY HELTON!!! THIS IS EMBARRASSING
— Johnny Salas (@johnny_salas10) December 13, 2020
For those fans looking for the program to part ways with Helton, you need to pump the brakes on that thought. Helton, who signed a contract extension back in 2018 that keeps him employed through 2023, is basically immune from a firing this year. If the university were to buyout Helton’s contract, they’d have to dish out approximately $20 million. Yeah, that’s not happening.
Keep calm, USC fans. Your favorite team is in the Pac-12 title game next week regardless. Enjoy it!
For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.