Let's Set Odds: Who Will Be USC's Next Head Coach?

Clay Helton was fired back in mid-September after an embarrassing loss to Stanford and was replaced by interim head coach Donte Williams. The USC Trojans have gone 2-3 since Williams took over. 

The Trojans need a new head coach.

USC has only had three seasons of double digit wins since Pete Carroll left in 2009, which is a shame for such a prestigious football program.

Which coach can get this team back to prominence?

Here are some likely suitors for the USC head coaching gig, with their current employer and  some odds for reference.

James Franklin - Penn State (+450)

Franklin has led the Penn State Nittany Lions to a 65-30 record since taking over in 2014. 

The Penn State football program was held accountable for incredibly disgusting things prior to Franklin’s tenure. Franklin’s ability to bring respect back to the football program was a much more difficult task than any other head coach would experience and his results were way more impressive than any records, rankings or accolades.

Franklin’s six-year, $4.3 million deal with Penn State is coming to a close, and he has apparently hired a superagent that can land him a big job with big pay. 

What better place than USC?

Luke Fickell - Cincinnati (+750)

Fickell has turned the Cincinnati Bearcats into a national championship contender. Everyone is dying to see a Group of Five school make the College Football Playoffs, and Fickell is on the cusp of doing just that.

Fickell has had experience leading a top-flight program in the past, coaching the Ohio State Buckeyes after Jim Tressel’s departure in 2011.

Fickell has led Cincinnati to a 42-14 record in his tenure and the Bearcats are currently No. 2 in the AP Poll. WynnBET Sportsbook has the Bearcats at +3000 to win the National Championship.

Fickell has earned a raise. It may be USC that gives it to him.

Kalani Sitake - BYU (+1500)

Sitake has brought the BYU Cougars into the national spotlight on several occasions, and has led his Cougars to a 44-28 record since 2016.

BYU went 11-1 last season and reached as high as eighth in the AP Poll. 

The USC Trojans have not been good on defense in recent years and could benefit heavily from the defensive-minded Sitake.

Mike Tomlin - Pittsburgh Steelers (+50000000)

Tomlin is not interested in coaching college football. 

Enough said.