Carson Palmer reveals 4 front-runners for USC job, including 1 intriguing NFL head coach

Carson Palmer believes there are four front-runners to be the next USC football coach.

USC football legend Carson Palmer shared some very interesting information about the Trojans’ head-coaching search on The Dan Patrick Show on Monday morning.

The former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and former NFL star believes USC is looking to make a home-run hire to replace an ineffective Clay Helton in Los Angeles. While the university certainly played a part in Helton’s eventual downfall, USC has no choice but to go get a head coach worthy of leading the Trojans on fall Saturdays. They need a stabilizing force in Los Angeles badly.

While Penn State’s James Franklin, Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell and Iowa State’s Matt Campbell have all been tied to the USC job for a while now, look at Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin potentially being in the mix.

USC football coaching candidates include 1 intriguing name from the NFL

Though Franklin may have shot himself in the foot after losing to Illinois in nine overtimes at home on Saturday, Campbell and Fickell should be finalists for this job. As for Tomlin’s surprising candidacy, this is all about him becoming the CEO-type of head coach USC could use.

Plus, the Steelers will be without Ben Roethlisberger very soon so perhaps they think they can get him interested in a change of scenery with much nicer weather?

With quarterbacking uncertainty and an opportunity for a new challenge, Tomlin’s candidacy for the gig is more than just an attempt from his agent to get him more money. Could it be that?

Totally, but many believe Tomlin would be an unbelievable college coach and an ace recruiter. All he has to do is drop his Super Bowl ring on the table in front of a top recruit.

USC may ultimately go with Campbell, Fickell or Franklin as head coach because the likelihood of Tomlin leaving the Steelers for USC is a longshot.

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