The USC Trojans have made major changes to their coaching staff despite deciding to keep Clay Helton as their head football coach, but it sounds like Clancy Pendergast will return.
During the season, the Trojans fired their offensive line coach and essentially stripped Tee Martin of playcalling duties. On Tuesday, much more happened.
Defensive line coach Kenechi Udeze, defensive backs coach Ronnie Bradford, and Martin were all fired on Tuesday. On top of that, quarterbacks coach Bryan Ellis is leaving for Western Kentucky.
There were multiple reports saying that defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast had been fired, but USC said that was not the case.
#USC has officially denied Clancy Pendergast was fired. That's even worse if true
— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) November 27, 2018
A USC spokesman said defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast has not been fired contrary to multiple reports.
— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) November 27, 2018
Pendergast has been the team’s defensive coordinator since 2016.
After the purge, USC’s website only listed five assistant coaches.
USC's website now lists only five assistants: Clancy Pendergast, John Baxter, Johnny Nansen, Tim Drevno and Keary Colbert. That means Clay Helton will have to at least hire half a new coaching staff.
— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) November 27, 2018
Not only will Helton have major work to turn around the program, but he also needs to hire several new coaches for his staff.
