USC Head Coach Search: Latest News, Rumors After Steve Sarkisian's Firing

The head coach of the Southern California Trojans is one of the most prestigious college football jobs in the country, and the position is now open after the school fired Steve Sarkisian on Oct. 12, per ESPN.com. Sarkisian was originally asked to take an indefinite leave of absence as he dealt with health- and alcohol-related issues.

While offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Clay Helton will assume the interim responsibilities, there is already plenty of speculation about who will take over the position in a full-time role.

Continue for updates.

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Payton Could be Option for USC

Sunday, Oct. 18

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton is a "name to consider for USC's coaching search." He noted, "Trojans are interested [and] Payton’s daughter is at school 30 [minutes] away."

He added: "One bonus for Sean Payton: With all the talk of a potential coach 'trade' there would be no compensation for USC. He could just go."

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Kelly's Name Still Linked to USC Despite Public Denial

Sunday, Oct. 18

"Kelly to get considered for USC job, too, if they can even lure him. He’ll have some interest, but does he just want to be pursued?," tweeted Rapoport prior to the Philadelphia Eagles' Week 6 matchup against the New York Giants.

However, Kelly denied having interest in USC on Oct. 15, via Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com:

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Kelly was asked if he had been contacted about leaving for USC.

"No. No. No. No. No," said Kelly to reporters [Thursday]. "North Texas. State. The Armadillos, or whatever. Just keep asking questions like this in press conferences, and it'll be over quicker. What do you want to talk about? Let's talk about another college. You have 10 minutes, so let's talk about North Texas... I know you have an obligation. I understand it. It's going to happen. If we're not successful and we're not winning, (the talk will be that) I came from college and I'm going to go back to college."

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Kelly has been linked to the position since Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel noted on Oct. 9 that USC had "strong interest" in Kelly prior to hiring Sarkisian.

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John Harbaugh Linked to Trojans

Thursday, Oct. 15

Dan Patrick said he was told the Ravens head coach was "high on the short list" for the full-time role at USC, via Paul Strzegowski of Fox 45.

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Could Sumlin Be an Option for USC?

Tuesday, Oct. 13

During an appearance on Mike & Mike, ESPN's Paul Finebaum said he believed Kelly and Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin will be the top candidates to replace Sarkisian, via colleague Adam Schefter.

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Ed Orgeron Reportedly Not in Consideration for USC Job

Monday, Oct. 12

Ed Orgeron is the defensive line coach at LSU, but there is a natural connection between him and the USC program since he was a former assistant and served as the interim head coach after Lane Kiffin was fired.

Arash Markazi of ESPN put an end to any speculation around an Orgeron return with a report stating: “I've been told USC is still in the early stages of compiling a list of coaches to go after. Ed Orgeron, I'm told, will not be on that list.”

Orgeron was an assistant coach for two different stints with the Trojans and finished 6-2 when he was the interim head coach for eight games in 2013. Orgeron injected life into the program after Kiffin went 3-2 to start the season (and finished 7-6 the year before), but USC did not bring him in as the full-time coach after the search process.

Ross Dellenger of the Advocate, citing an ESPN story, noted Orgeron was not pleased with athletic director Pat Haden’s decision to hire Sarkisian even though Orgeron was offered an assistant head coaching position.

In his current role, Orgeron has helped lead the Tigers to an undefeated start, and his defense has 12 sacks in five games.

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Next Head Coach Will Have Tools to Succeed with Trojans

Whoever eventually takes over the USC program will not be starting from scratch. The Trojans play in a recruiting hotbed and brought in the No. 2 class in the country in 2015. They currently have the No. 9 class in the country for 2016, per 247Sports’ composite rankings.

This season is trending downward after a 3-2 start with showdowns against Notre Dame, Utah and California looming, but there is a foundation in place for sustained success at USC. This is a program that is accustomed to competing for national titles, and the next coach will be tasked with getting the Trojans to that level on the field and keeping them there on the recruiting trail.