Clancy Pendergast, John Baxter fired by USC

The USC Trojans announced changes to their coaching staff on Saturday, a day after a bad bowl loss to Iowa.

The Trojans have let go defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast and special teams coach John Baxter.

USC defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast and special teams coordinator/tight ends coach John Baxter will not return to the Trojan coaching staff.

— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) December 28, 2019

Prior to the bowl game, the expectation was that Pendergast would be fired. USC losing 49-24 only made the case stronger to part ways with him. Yahoo’s Pete Thamel says USC has been looking for potential replacements for a few weeks.

Source: USC has parted ways with DC Clancy Pendergast and STC John Baxter. Other defensive positions will be evaluated. USC officials have dug in extensively for weeks already on potential replacements.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 28, 2019

Pendergast, 52, has been USC’s defensive coordinator since 2016, coinciding with Clay Helton’s time as the school’s head football coach.