Graham Harrell
FILE - Pittsburgh quarterback Kedon Slovis (9) scrambles as head coach Pat Narduzzi, right, looks on during their annual NCAA college football intrasquad Blue-Gold scrimmage in Pittsburgh, April 9, 2022. The Backyard Brawl returns after a 10-year hiatus on Thursday night when 17th-ranked Pitt hosts West Virginia. (AP Photo/Philip G. Pavely, File)
No. 17 Pitt hosts WVU in return of "The Backyard Brawl"

By The Associated Press Aug. 31, 2022 11:28 AM EDT

FILE - Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, center, is dunked with water by Wes Welker (27), left, and Cody Campbell (64) right during the final minutes against Navy in the Houston Bowl on Dec. 30, 2003 in Houston. Of the top 25 most-prolific passing seasons in major college football history by yards per game, 12 have direct connections to Hal Mumme and Leach — from Kentucky to Houston to Texas Tech to New Mexico State to Washington State. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Air Raid evolution: Pioneering offense passes test of time

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 24, 2022 09:21 AM EDT

FILE - Georgia quarterback JT Daniels (18) talks with head coach Kirby Smart in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Charleston Southern Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Athens, Ga. Daniels transferred to West Virginia from national champion Georgia, where he lost his starting job last season. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
New coordinator, QB give West Virginia hope for improvement

By John Raby Aug. 19, 2022 10:15 AM EDT

FILE - Georgia quarterback JT Daniels (18) throws during warmups in an NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. Daniels announced Wednesday, April 13, 2022, that he plans to transfer to West Virginia. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Ex-Georgia QB JT Daniels transferring to West Virginia

Apr. 13, 2022 01:13 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec 18, 2020, file photo, Southern California quarterback Kedon Slovis (9) throws a pass during the second quarter of an NCAA college football Pac-12 Conference championship game in Los Angeles. About 16 starters return from last season's Pac-12 South champions, led by third-year starting quarterback Kedon Slovis with USC's usual wealth of skill-position talent around him. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
No. 15 USC aiming to return to national title conversation

By Greg Beacham Aug. 19, 2021 05:35 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 file photo, Texas's Keaontay Ingram (26) runs through a tackle of Kansas's Kyron Johnson (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas. Running back Keaontay Ingram is transferring from Texas to Southern California. USC confirmed the latest addition to its backfield Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Running back Keaontay Ingram transferring to USC from Texas

Jan. 26, 2021 06:48 PM EST

FILE - Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels looks to pass during the Sun Bowl NCAA college football game against Florida State in El Paso, Texas, in this Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, file photo. Arizona State plays Southern California at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Saturday, Nov. 7. (Briana Sanchez/The El Paso Times via AP, File)
Breakfast ball: No. 20 USC, Arizona State start season early

By Greg Beacham Nov. 05, 2020 02:56 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2019 file photo, Southern California head coach Clay Helton, left, smiles at quarterback Kedon Slovis (9) after a 52-35 win over UCLA in an NCAA college football game in Los Angeles. BOth Helton and now-sophomore Slovis will return in November. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
USC QB Slovis adds muscle, maturity before sophomore season

By Greg Beacham Nov. 03, 2020 05:14 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, LSU Tigers quarterback Myles Brennan (15) passes during an NCAA football game against Georgia Southern in Baton Rouge, La. LSU enters Saturday's season opener with Myles Brennan taking over at quarterback for Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow while Mississippi State has a new coach in Mike Leach whose reputation for high-flying offenses precedes him. (AP Photo/Michael Democker, File)
No. 6 LSU and Miss. St. clash in test of new faces, systems

By Brett Martel Sep. 24, 2020 04:05 PM EDT

FILE - This Sept. 31, 2019 photo shows Southern California quarterback JT Daniels in an NCAA football game against Fresno State in Los Angeles. Daniels has entered the transfer portal. He announced his plan Thursday, April 16, 2020. Coach Clay Helton says the door is still open for Daniels to stay at USC, where Kedon Slovis took advantage of Daniels' knee injury to become the Trojans' starting quarterback last season. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
USC's Daniels heading to Georgia to compete for QB job

By Paul Newberry May. 28, 2020 06:36 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Southern California head coach Clay Helton, left, shakes hands with athletic director Mike Bohn at an NCAA college football game against UCLA in Los Angeles. Helton is 40-22 in four full seasons as USC coach. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
USC invests in supporting Helton rather than replacing him

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 09, 2020 03:05 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Colorado head coach Mel Tucker looks on before the start of their NCAA college football game against Utah, in Salt Lake City. A person familiar with the decision says Colorado coach Mel Tucker has agreed to lead Michigan State's football program. The person spoke Wednesday morning, Feb. 12, 2020, to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the hiring had not been announced. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Colorado AD wants next head coach to share his commitment

By Arnie Stapleton Feb. 13, 2020 03:42 PM EST

USC hires lauded assistants Sean Snyder, Donte Williams

Feb. 12, 2020 10:39 PM EST
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California has hired Sean Snyder as its special teams coordinator and Donte Williams as its cornerbacks coach and defensive pass...

Southern California head football coach Clay Helton speaks to members of the media about the 2019 Holiday Bowl during a press conference on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, in San Diego, Calif. (Bryon Houlgrave/The Des Moines Register via AP)
USC DC Clancy Pendergast, special teams coach Baxter out

By Greg Beacham Dec. 28, 2019 07:38 PM EST

Southern California head coach Clay Helton signals to fans from midfield after a 52-35 win over UCLA in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
USC retains coach Clay Helton despite fan dissatisfaction

By Greg Beacham Dec. 04, 2019 05:43 PM EST

Southern California wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., second from left, is congratulated by wide receivers Drake London, left, and Amon-Ra St. Brown after his go-ahead touchdown, as Colorado cornerback K.J. Trujillo walks away during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, in Boulder, Colo. Southern California won 35-31. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
No. 7 Oregon takes winning streak, playoff hopes to face USC

By Greg Beacham Nov. 01, 2019 05:16 PM EDT

BYU defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga (95) tries to knock down a pass from Southern California quarterback Kedon Slovis (9) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Provo, Utah. BYU defeated USC 30-27. (AP Photo/George Frey)
Big man's game: USC needs more from O-line vs. No. 10 Utah

By Dan Greenspan Sep. 17, 2019 04:03 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2018, file photo, Southern California quarterback Jack Sears throws against Arizona State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Los Angeles. Sears has entered the transfer portal after failing to win the starting job in a four-man competition. Sears, a redshirt sophomore, announced his plans in a statement he posted to Twitter on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Sears' decision came less than one week after coach Clay Helton announced sophomore J.T. Daniels would start for the second straight season. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
USC QB Jack Sears enters transfer portal

By Dan Greenspan Aug. 27, 2019 08:22 PM EDT

USC QB Daniels keeps starting job after open competition

By Dan Greenspan Aug. 20, 2019 10:49 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sophomore quarterback J.T. Daniels will start at Southern California for the second straight season. Coach Clay Helton announced...

FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2016, file photo, Baylor offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, right, watches players warm up before an NCAA college football game against SMU in Waco, Texas. Coach Willie Taggart drew some scrutiny for hiring Briles, who worked for his father, Art, at Baylor as that school went through a bruising scandal tied to sexual assault accusations. He will have to work around a deficient offensive line, but if the offense clicks then Taggart’s second year in Tallahassee should be much better than his first. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
Pick Six: New coordinators with chance to make big impact

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 20, 2019 02:22 AM EDT