"This is my last job."
The words cut through the room during Wednesday's Signing Day press conference as Clay Helton spoke earnestly about his new extension. Ever since he became the interim head coach in October of 2015, I've surmised that Helton would prefer coaching at USC over anywhere else, college or pro, and that the only way he would leave is if he retired or were fired. Of course, for the 45-year-old Helton to remain at USC long-term, he'll have to win. Specifically, he'll have to win a national championship.
That had me thinking about the Trojans' Mount Rushmore of coaches -- Jones, McKay, Robinson, Carroll. I quickly discovered a common thread in their success: They all won a national title within their first four years at USC.
In fact, McKay, Robinson and Carroll did it in Year 3, with Jones needing an extra season. (However, Jones won a national title in just his second overall season as a head coach, at Yale.) Only three other USC head coaches stuck around longer than four years, and like Clay, they all won a Rose Bowl within their first three seasons.
Technically, this is Year 3 for Helton, even though he was the head coach for the majority of the 2015 season. His extension essentially guarantees he'll have a fourth season (2019) and could keep him at the helm through 2023.
So I ask you this: Do you believe (not hope or wish, but actually expect) he will win a national title in the next two seasons? Do you believe he'll win one before his extension ends? By what year would he need to win a title before you'd want to move on?
My personal opinion: No, maybe, and, by 2021. What do you think?
The words cut through the room during Wednesday's Signing Day press conference as Clay Helton spoke earnestly about his new extension. Ever since he became the interim head coach in October of 2015, I've surmised that Helton would prefer coaching at USC over anywhere else, college or pro, and that the only way he would leave is if he retired or were fired. Of course, for the 45-year-old Helton to remain at USC long-term, he'll have to win. Specifically, he'll have to win a national championship.
That had me thinking about the Trojans' Mount Rushmore of coaches -- Jones, McKay, Robinson, Carroll. I quickly discovered a common thread in their success: They all won a national title within their first four years at USC.
In fact, McKay, Robinson and Carroll did it in Year 3, with Jones needing an extra season. (However, Jones won a national title in just his second overall season as a head coach, at Yale.) Only three other USC head coaches stuck around longer than four years, and like Clay, they all won a Rose Bowl within their first three seasons.
Technically, this is Year 3 for Helton, even though he was the head coach for the majority of the 2015 season. His extension essentially guarantees he'll have a fourth season (2019) and could keep him at the helm through 2023.
So I ask you this: Do you believe (not hope or wish, but actually expect) he will win a national title in the next two seasons? Do you believe he'll win one before his extension ends? By what year would he need to win a title before you'd want to move on?
My personal opinion: No, maybe, and, by 2021. What do you think?
