USC athletic director Lynn Swann is in a tough spot. He was in a tough spot before announcing Clay Helton would return as head coach and is in a tough spot after announcing Helton's return.
“It is my firm belief that we have a good team returning next year and a solid foundation in place, and that Clay Helton is good coach,” Swann said in a statement. “Let me be clear to everyone, our players, our recruits and our fans. Clay Helton is our head coach and he will continue to be our head coach.”
Is Helton back because Swann believes he's the right head coach? Is Helton back because USC can't afford an (estimated) buyout of around $15 million? Or is Helton back because Swann knows, without a university president and his inexperience, he'd struggle to hire a big name right now? And regardless, Swann is taking a massive fan risk with Helton's return.
Listen to The Hot Route (USC talk starts at 13:09):
