Helton has Cleaned House on USC Coaching Staff, Lose 2017 WR Amari Rodgers, is Tee Martin Next

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

USC removed the interim head coaching tag off Clay Helton the week of the Trojans Pac-12 Championship Game showdown against Stanford. Following a 41-22 loss to the Cardinal, Helton cleaned house on his staff dismissing defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox, defensive line coach Chris Wilson, and defensive backs coach Keith Heyward along with offensive line coach Bob Connelly the next day.

Helton does not have much of a staff left to help the Trojans prepare for their bowl game against Wisconsin, and the writing on the wall is more coaches may not be in Los Angeles with the Trojans once spring ball picks up. On Wednesday, 2017 wide receiver Amari Rodgers decommitted from the Trojans leaving speculation that Trojans passing game coordinator, Tee Martin, might be on the move after the Holiday Bowl.

Rodgers is Tee Martin’s son. Hard to imagine Rodgers not wanting to play for his dad at a Power Five Conference school expected to contend for Pac-12 Championships every year with a shot at playing for a national championship after a one-loss or better regular season. Unless father and son had a private spat, the between the lines connection is Martin is out at USC and Rodgers will bide his time to see where dad may land.

Rodgers, listed at 5’10”, 195 pounds, helped Catholic High School in Knoxville to an 11-4 record in 2015 playing running back even though he has been recruited as a wide receiver. The east Tennessee talent has offers from Duke. Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Ohio, Middle Tennessee State, and LSU. With his recruitment back open, more offers could come in but some schools may still shy away until Martin’s status is cleared up once the bowl season is completed.

USC still has a shot a landing Martin. With the de-commitment Rodgers tweeted, “After reflecting back on my 2015 season and consulting with individuals that are close to me, I have decided to re-open my recruitment. USC will still continue to be one of my top choices, but I think it is best that I choose where I will be attending college without being committed.”

The Trojans square off against the Badgers on Dec. 30 in the Holiday Bowl with a 10:30 p.m. start time airing on ESPN.

Photo credit: knoxnews.com; No. 3 Amari Rodgers.