USC football: Frontrunner emerges for Trojans’ head coaching job after Clay Helton firing

USC football has to find a replacement for Clay Helton and it looks like they already have their sights set on Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell.

Who will be the next USC head coach after the Trojans fired Clay Helton?

If AD Mike Bohn gets his way, it’ll be someone he’s very familiar with.

USC is targeting Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell, according to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports.

Luke Fickell is the lead USC head coach candidate

“The USC job is Luke Fickell’s to turn down,” Dodd tweeted. “If he does, Bob Stoops might be waiting in the wings.”

Bohn hired Fickell at Cincinnati when he was the athletic director there. The two obviously have a relationship that could give Fickell the confidence to make the leap to USC.

After all, Bohn gave him the support he needed with the Bearcats. He’d get the same support and more with the blue blood program in the west in a fertile recruiting ground.

Then again, Fickell could decide he wants to stay in Ohio. He was born in Columbus and went to Ohio State. He’s been a midwest guy his entire life. Plus, Cincinnati is making a move up into the Power 5 with the Big 12. He could see the journey through with them.

Bob Stoops is an interesting character to consider as well. He’s retired from coaching and working on FOX’s college football coverage. He might not be interested in taking on another job but if he is, he’s a national title winner with a proven record.

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