10 realistic USC head coach candidates to replace Clay Helton

After USC football fired Clay Helton, the Trojans have a huge decision to make for their next head coach. Who will they look at?

Here we go again. USC has once again fired a head coach in the middle of the season…if you could call Week 2 the middle.

The Trojans sent Clay Helton packing after his team was blown at the Coliseum by Pac-12 rival Stanford.

The end of the line for Helton means a whole load of possibilities for USC and their next head coaching candidates.

USC head coach options to replace Clay Helton

10. James Franklin, Penn State head coach

USC fans have seen James Franklin up close. He coached Penn State in the Rose Bowl when Sam Darnold and company pulled off that memorable victory. He’s won the Big Ten and he’s consistently had the Nittany Lions ranked in the Top 25. Is he a home run option? No, but he’d be an upgrade on Helton with a more proven track record. He’s also been the subject of rumors before, so the possibility of him leaving Penn State exists.

9. Matt Campbell, Iowa State head coach

Iowa State’s Matt Campbell has been a hot commodity on the coaching carousel before, but he’s resisted leaving Ames. He built up the Cyclones to be a Top 25 team and he’s challenged for the Big 12. He also appears to have hit the ceiling with them. USC would give him a step up to prove himself with more talent.