USC’s 73-13 thrashing of FBS newcomer Missouri State may have been business as usual for Lincoln Riley’s high-powered Trojans, but this Saturday at the Coliseum won’t feel routine.
That’s because Georgia Southern is coming to town, and with it comes a familiar face, former USC head coach Clay Helton.
Former USC Coach Clay Helton Makes Return to Coliseum
From 2015 to 2021, Helton led the Trojans, guiding the team to a Pac-12 title and a Rose Bowl victory. After Pete Carroll left, the program struggled to find its foothold, but his era gave it stability.
Still, USC frequently failed to live up to the high standards surrounding one of college football’s most illustrious franchises, but it also carried disappointment. Helton’s tenure ended abruptly following a loss to Stanford in early 2021, capping a challenging but significant period in Los Angeles.
Almost four years later, Helton returns to the Coliseum, not as a Trojan, but as the man leading Georgia Southern. And for Riley, that return deserves something special.
“I hope USC fans react with a lot of appreciation for Clay on Saturday,” Riley said. “I want him to know he’s appreciated by this place and always will be.”
Lincoln Riley says he hopes USC fans “react with a lot of appreciation” for Clay Helton on Saturday in his return to the Coliseum.
“I want him to know he’s appreciated by this place and always will be,” Riley said.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) September 5, 2025
It’s not often you hear a current head coach advocate for the man he replaced. But Riley’s perspective is rooted in respect. The two have crossed paths over the years, even playing in the same charity golf tournament at Pebble Beach, and Riley says he has “cherished” those moments with his predecessor.
Coaching Success with Georgia Southern, Reminiscing Time with USC
For Helton, there’s no bitterness in coming back. Since leaving Los Angeles, he’s carved out a new home at Georgia Southern, where he has already guided the Eagles to three straight bowl appearances and earned a contract extension earlier this year. In Statesboro, he’s rediscovered his footing and reminded people of his leadership strengths.
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It might have been awkward for the coach to return to the supporters who had called for his firing at this weekend’s reunion, but instead, it feels more like an opportunity for introspection — a time when USC supporters may celebrate the victories, the memories, and the man who supported the program for six years, in addition to the team’s failings.
As Riley stated, Saturday is about more than just another non-conference matchup — it’s about gratitude. And when Clay Helton walks out of that tunnel for the first time in four years, the hope is that the Coliseum greets him not with boos, but with applause.
The Trojans, now in the Big Ten, will take on Helton’s Georgia Southern Eagles of the Sun Belt on Saturday, September 6, with kickoff set for 7:30 ET on FS1.
