USC Head Coach Rumors: Jeff Fisher, Jack Del Rio Linked to Potential Opening

USC could dip its toes into the failed NFL head coaching waters if the school fires Clay Helton.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports appeared on Fox Sports Radio on Wednesday and said the most prominent names linked to the job are Jeff Fisher and Jack Del Rio. Penn State coach James Franklin has also been linked to the position but offered no comment on the situation Tuesday.

Fisher and Del Rio have been connected to the USC job before. Both are USC alums who went on to play in the NFL before having moderate success as coaches.

Fisher has the most coaching losses in NFL history (165) but also the 12th-most wins (173). He was a mainstay for 17 seasons with the Tennessee Titans franchise before a four-plus-year stint with the Rams that featured losing records in every campaign. In 22 years as a head coach, Fisher made just six playoff appearances. He has no collegiate coaching experience.

Del Rio has had a Fisherian career as a head coach, though over less time. He made two playoff appearances in nine seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and then made the postseason once in three years with the Oakland Raiders. He has a career record of 93-94. 

Helton is on the hot seat, as the Trojans sit at 5-6 heading into Saturday's game against Notre Dame. USC went to New Year's Six bowls in Helton's first two full years as coach but fell apart in 2018 following quarterback Sam Darnold's departure for the NFL.

Helton's hiring was not met with much enthusiasm initially after he went 5-4 as an interim coach in 2015, so fans have wasted little time calling for his ouster.