WATCH: OJ Simpson reacts to USC firing its head coach
USC football has decided to part ways with head coach Clay Helton just two games into the 2021 season, naming Donte Williams the interim head coach. The college football world has responded to the surprise move over the past day. Former USC star O.J. Simpson offered his thoughts in a video posted to Twitter on Monday afternoon.
“Well I just heard that USC just fired their coach,” Simpson said while holding his glass up for a toast. “Go and have a good time somewhere man, good luck to you. We are SC, or hopefully we’re finally gonna be SC again. Take care.”
After a successful junior college career in the mid-1960’s Simpson played for USC in 1967 and 1968. The 6-foot-1, 212-pounf running back ran for 3,423 yards and 36 touchdowns, adding 320 receiving yards. Simpson finished second in Heisman voting as a junior and won the award as a senior.
During Simpson’s college career, the Trojans capped a 10-1 season with a Rose Bowl win and a national championship. The following season, the team went 9-1-1 with their only loss coming in the Rose Bowl. The team finished No. 1 in the 1967 AP Poll and No. 2 the next year.
During O.J. Simpson’s career, USC was led by Hall of Fame coach John McKay, who led the Trojans to four national championships in 16 seasons.
The end of the Clay Helton era
The Clay Helton era at USC is officially over. The Trojans announced Monday night that Helton has been let go and will not finish his seventh season at the helm of the program. Athletic director Mike Bohn has tabbed Donte Williams as interim head coach.
This comes just days after Stanford walked into the Coliseum and handed USC a 48-28 loss. Helton was booed off the field at the half. The loss dropped USC to 1-1 on the season and out of national polls.
Helton finishes with a 46-24 record. But the Trojans are 19-15 since 2018 and have not won the Pac-12 since 2017. They went 2-3 in bowl games and have struggled to stay relevant on the national stage. USC has never made the College Football Playoff; the highest a Trojans team ever ranked under Helton was No. 3 in the 2016 season.
Helton had two full years remaining on his deal after this season. Helton is expected to be owed more than $10 million in buyout money.