NFL, college analysts speculate ripple effects of USC head coach vacancy
NFL and college football analysts have begun speculating on how USC’s new head coach vacancy will affect both college and professional football coaches.
With USC dismissing their former coach so early in the season, analysts believe that this will cause other schools and franchises to offer their own coach a contract extension to keep them from going to USC.
USC’s head coach vacancy season-long distraction
Within hours of the news that USC had dismissed their former head coach Clay Helton, rumors began circulating about who would take over the position. After getting rid of Helton so early in the season, USC will now have a lengthy period of time to search for his long-term replacement.
Analysts such as Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt and NBC Sports’ Albert Breer feel that this will cause a lot of coaches in the college and pro level to have more leverage in contract negotiations until the position is filled.
“It is going to be exhausting to see all of the coaching agents throw out ‘info’ that their guy is going to talk with USC,” detailed Klatt. “This vacancy at this point of the season is going to result in between $50-75 Million in extension money for other schools.”
Breer added to the point Klatt made, stating that the money won’t just be paid to college coaches. Breer feels that there will be a few NFL-level coaches who will command a raise because the USC option is available.
“Won’t just be college coaches either,” Breer added. “Some NFL guys will probably get raises off what’ll be an extended USC coaching search as well.”
USC’s next head coach
USC will conduct an “exhaustive national search,” according to USC athletic director Mike Bohn. Making this decision now allows them the opportunity to take full advantage of the amount of time they have.
USC has begun the process of getting into the search. But Bohn said they haven’t yet determined all the specific tools they’ll use, such as a search firm.
“We haven’t determined all those different pieces,” Bohn said. “But I will say, we will utilize every asset, every resource, every venue, every opportunity, every relationship from being in this business for 42 years, to ensure that we have all the information necessary to bring us a great coach.”
As for what characteristics he’ll be looking for in the next head coach of the Trojans, Bohn didn’t hesitate.
“No question, it’s leadership, high integrity, character, the ability to connect with young men,” Bohn said. “As you all know, our vision is to be the most student-athlete-centered program in the country. So we want somebody that understands the [connection] with young men that are part of this program. And the ability to recruit and bring high-quality character people to USC. And again, to pursue championships.”
On3’s Eric McKinney contributed to this article.