Clay Helton Says USC Assistant Tee Martin `Most Complete Coach’ He Has Been Around

I wonder what John Baxter, the best special teams in the country, thinks about Clay Helton’s quote today regarding Tee Martin.

138 thoughts on “Clay Helton Says USC Assistant Tee Martin `Most Complete Coach’ He Has Been Around

  1. Most complete and best are two different things Scottie. That’s why coaches specialize in different areas. Kinda like how you specialize in the negative…

    • No disrespect to Coach Tee (who I think absorbs licks for a lot of other people’s mistakes), but it sounds more like they’re doing everything they can to help make him “gone.”

        • RT —you need to see the HBO Curb Your Enthusiasm episode entitled “Foisting” —–it’s all about how you try to foist unwelcome members of your staff on to some unsuspecting party so that you yourself don’t have to take unpleasant action. Of course, that’s just a “comedy.” And this is “reality”. And the two are totally different. Right?

          • I really don’t think Larry played his cards right with that yoga instructor, gt…….

          • No, MG. A comedy does reflect the reality more often than not, and I think your hunch served you well in this case, pardner.

            #MGMustBeAPsychicToo

          • From now on RT, we need to ask our “Inside USC” brothers ans sisters to please refer to us as the Psychic Twins….
            #..BeforeTheyComeUpWithADifferentName

          • LOL…MG, it looks like we’ve got a lot to prove to earn that title. But let me tell you this. You might not like to hear this, but I lean toward a negative feeling about next Friday’s game. Hope I’m wrong, though. The reason? They beat ND that gave us a total beatdown, and it’s very difficult to beat that kind of team twice in the same season. Again, I really hope I’m wrong, MG!

            #AReallyToughGameIsAheadOfUs!

          • I’ll be ecstatically happy if we’d somehow pull it out! You know that, don’t you, pardner?

            #PleaseBeatStanfordJustForMG’sSake!!!

          • I think if the players read what you just wrote, RT, it will inspire them to win the CG JUST FOR US.
            #IHopeTheyAppreciateThisOpportunity….
            #….ToMakeUsHappy

          • MG, I look at it this way, and it should sound pretty logical to you. Stanford is clearly a much improved team since their loss to us in September, and SC is about the same team as then. Yeah, I know we beat them quite comfortably back then, but we’ve been winning ugly even when we did with plenty of struggle being sloppy and undisciplined. Another thing is The Levi’s Stadium is closer to being Stanford’s home than to us. The more I think about this game analytically, the more negative I get.

            #Let’sBeatTheTreeAgainstAllOdds!!!

          • I don’t disagree with one word you said. Let me add this, RT. Stanford is DETERMINED to stop Rojo this time. And they are going to have an extra guy on the line all day to do it. To beat them, we need Sam to pick them apart.
            #It’sALLUpToSam

          • Yeah, that’s right, MG. I’m sure they’ll do their best to stop our run game and take their chances with Sam to beat them because that would be their best strategy to make our offense one-dimensional. So again, the OL better be ready to do some intense battle in the trenches.

            #TheMorePhysicalTeamWillPrevail

          • I’m hoping –it’s the team with the best quarterback and receivers wins [cuz that’s us].

          • It’d be a huge win for us if we can pull it out, MG. And it’ll be another leap for the team. But it’s also a big hurdle that’ll be very hard to overcome. Let’s hope for the best!

            #MyMindTellsMeNoButI’mStillHoping

  2. Gee, probably feels the same towards Martin. Whatever his skills may be, Baxter strikes me as professional and respectful guy. Sounds like people are making inquiries to Martin and everybody is being transparent. When Helton has his brother to take over as OC, it’s not that tough to lose Martin. Guess we may see soon if Tyson is up to the task.

    • Swann doesn’t write anything. St. Pat’s national search consulting firm writes it, gives it to Pat who sends it to Lynn then he tells Clay what to say.
      It’s like that.

  3. Clutch the pearls!! Oh…the drama…the humanity!!

    In other letters: ZZZZZzzzzzzzz……..

  4. I like Helton’s professionalism and demeanor as a nice guy.

    But when Tee Martin struggled to craft a running game against the worst run defense in CFB in the Bruins, that was the last straw.

    I don’t care how it’s done. Just show Tee Martin the door (preferably yesterday), wring your hands and be done with the dude. Enough is enough with that guy’s soft offense.

    • When I learned, from Scott Wolf (I just call him scott because we’re friends) that if T-bone gets fired Clay Helton will make his brother the new OC, I stopped wanting T gone, and started wanting Tea in the afternoon.

      • Is Tee really the guy on the chopping block? It sounds like Helton loves him like a brother, one brother is enough

        • Oh Brother, I’m sure he loves him, but Scott says one coach has to bite it and it would be nice if Hel can get T-mobile a lateral move like HC of Tennessee instead of giving him a barbed wire baseball bat to the noggin.

          • Tee is far from a finished product. He might have a loyal fanbase back in Tenn. Even putting his name in the hat for the job is a stretch.

            The SEC is no place to start on the job training, the expectations are off the chart. But, some quality coaches may back off from the job knowing they’ll be on a short leash.

            Overall, the quality of coaching in the SEC has regressed, and other conferences are willing to overpay to get the right guy.

            With that being said, perhaps Tenn. gets desperate and takes a chance on Tee, S**t, it might be a bargin

  5. If you ever have a daughter, call her “Grace.” She’d be the first bit of grace in your life.

  6. I’m not saying that he is not a good coach. I just don’t think that he is a good play caller.

  7. “I wonder what John Baxter, the best special teams in the country, thinks about Clay Helton’s quote today regarding Tee Martin.”

    We definitely know what “the worst inside” blogger thinks of that comment.

  8. Perhaps Helton truly feels it in his heart. He hasn’t always made the right decisions, but he’s been a straight shooter

  9. This is my choice for USC’s 2018 Coaching Staff:

    Clay Helton HC +++
    Mike Riley OC
    Tee Martin WR
    Tyron Helton QB
    Deland McCullough RB +++
    Neil Callaway OL +++
    Clancy Pendergast DL
    Kenechi Udeze DL +++
    Johnny Hansen LB/RC/asst HC
    Ronnie Bradford DB
    John Baxter ST
    Ivan Lewis Str & Cond.

    +++ = Special Recognition

    • Mike Riley? LMFAO!

      That guy has done nothing everywhere he’s been.

      How Mike Riley’s name keeps popping up as a potential coach is an absolute joke.

      • Mike Riley is a guy that the HJIC here and many posters want(ed) as HC for SC. I thought it was a total joke like Chris Petersen, but people kept pointing out how super successful he and Petersen are/were. Well one is out of a job and the other one is headed to the Sun Bowl.

        • OK…..smartypants, who’s your guy(s). You sit back and bash, post after post, sounds like a tough job. Another keyboard tough guy…pathetic

          • I thought you were asking me who I want to coach SC. I’m not Les Miles’ agent. I don’t want him to coach at Nebraska, he’s the right guy for SC and he’s available.

          • 9 out of 14 SEC teams will have changed coaches by the end of this season, over a two year period. If Les was such a hot commodity why wasn’t someone pounding down his door. He couldn’t even get the job at Michigan….

            .He just bought a new home in Baton Rouge. He and his wife love the south

        • Chris Petersen is 1-1 vs USC, took Washington to the CFP last year and has a proven track record as a winner. Matter of fact when he was head coach at Boise St. he beat Oregon when they had Chip Kelly as head coach…twice.

          And Chris Petersen has won with far less talent than Oregon and certainly USC.

          • At Boise St. he coached 2 games per year. The OoC game and the bowl game, the rest were jokes. Four years at Washington and he has one conference title and the Zaxby’s Heart of Texas Bowl championship, and a 23-13 conference record. Not impressive. Not to me anyway, maybe you’re impressed with a bottom tier defunct bowl.

          • Well, while at Boise St. Petersen torched Oregon twice, Oregon St. twice, Washington, destroyed Arizona St., thumped Georgia 35-21 and beat Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.

            Since joining Washington he has gone to the CFP, had back to back doyble digit winning seasons and went into the Coliseum with a bunch of no star recruits and beat USC a team loaded with 4 & 5 star talent.

            Gomer beat Penn St. and got absolutely dismantled and embarrassed by Alabama.

            LMFAO!

        • Big difference between HC and OC. Not into Peterson, he wouldn’t help USC, but if you think Riley wouldn’t help as OC, perhaps you could come up with the alternative?

    • Mike Riley is a name to keep a eye on. He has ton a of experience, coached the Chargers for three seasons before returning to Oregon St. And was on the short list to replace PC.
      He’s a player’s coach showered with positive comments regarding his demeanor and approach to the game

        • How do you figure? What has Mike Riley done anywhere that he has been?

          “a polished oc”? “Great mind for offense”?

          AHA HA HA HA! Come on, get serious.

          • The blind leading the blind. If you come across like an a**hole at least provide a legitimate name that would rival Riley…….it better be good.

            It’s hard to win a race when you have inferior equipment

          • Ask john Robinson why he hired him as an offensive coordinator? Maybe ask Rob Johnson how it worked out for him while being coached and having him be his offensive coordinator? Enough said. Thank you

        • Yes!….With a NFL background, hard nose football is a given

          FYI, he played football at Alabama under Bear Bryant.

          • May I reciprocate in the FYI department, Gabby?
            As of now —according to Helton —Porter Gustin is out. [But don’t be surprised if he returns by Wednesday]….

          • My sail just lost some wind……..not the news we want to here.

            What exactly is the extent of his injury, is it still the toe?

          • Yes —-It’s still the toe. But we need to read between the lines on this one, Gabby. What Helton said is, basically, ‘I’m keeping him out of practice because of the toe’—-he didn’t say ‘I’m keeping him out of the CG because of his toe.’
            I wouldn’t be surprised if Porter tries to make a go of it for this game.

          • In your opinion, do you think rushing him back compounded the injury?

            Plus, if he’s limited at practice, what type of game shape will he be in, numerous question marks surround his availability

          • Yes, I think it was a mistake to rush him back, Gabby. I wish we saved him for the end of the season —but it is what it is. I think he’ll be an asset even without much practice —he probably only needs a day to get into the groove.

          • Might as well give you the bad news now Gabby and get it over with —-Dan Weber is reporting that he talked to Coach Helton and Porter Gustin is definitely out of the CG. The best we can hope for is that he returns for the bowl game —and that’s even not for sure.
            #Crap

          • #Crap…..sounds appropriate.

            He’s played in roughly 3 1/2 games. We all know and love his potential, and hopefully he comes back for his Senior year.

            Before the start of the season he was projected an early round draft picks, not sure where those thoughts are now

      • AHA HA HA HA HA!

        Mike Riley while head coach of the San Diego Chargers had 14 wins and 34 losses for a winning percentage of .292. His offenses ranked near the bottom of the league.

        LMFAO!

        Yep, the Sunshine Pumpers really know how to pick ’em.

        Classic!

        • You’re only as good as your personnel, and when you have the cheapest owner in football as your boss, it’s no help….I could go on, but you may not comprehend

          More homework and less posting

          AHA HA HA HA HA!

      • Replace Callaway and Bradford. Not Riley. Get the oline and oc coordinator from Stanford.

  10. The fact is, neither Clay Helton, Tee Martin, Neil Callaway or Tyson Helton are generating any kind of interest from any other cfb programs as far as being considered for a coaching position. Not a single one.

  11. So true if tee leaves it easier to put Tyson at oc plus he doesn’t habe to put swann in a pickle he blames it all on tee swann keeps Helton

        • Help his brother out?…His brother has contributed to the problem. If he truly wants to help his brother, get him a new job away from USC.

          • If he put his brother at oc his brother will have doors open for him which were not before. Onky way for that to happen is to get rid of tee Martin the oc now. Think about it. Tee calls a play Tyson tell Helton we should run something else Helton make decision. That does not work. Helton needs to let tee call his own play your running tempo offense you can’t second guess. Also Tyson was calling defensive plays at goal line you think Clancy make that decision. Nope that’s all Helton. But yes he is trying to get his brother to move up from where he was at before.

          • Here’s the bottom line, if Helton truly wanted his brother to be OC, he would have offered him the job in the beginning.

          • Very true however tee was already the oc from last year and won a bowl game over penn State. I do believe Helton tried and maybe swann shot it down. I’m sure 100 percent if tee leaves Tyson will be the new oc

  12. The entire coaching staffs from Lane Kiffin to Steve Sarkisian to Clay Helton have all been second rate underachievers.

    And the powers that be at USC seem to be just fine with how things have played out within the football program.

    USC will not take Trojan Football seriously again until Max Nikias is no longer president, that’s just the way it is.

  13. ….with the very best coaches and the best player in the land I am very surprised anyone even scored against them…that said this might be the beginning of the KDS- Kelly Derangement Syndrome…hmmmm

  14. Gomer wants Tee to leave so he can put his brother Goober in at OC, then all they need to fill out the coaching roster is Barney Fife and Floyd the barber

  15. I really hope Helton stumbles on his nepotism and fails to hire Jedd Fisch as SC’s new OC. Please let it be Ty.

  16. I really want Greg Roman. An offensive line and tight end and full back/ running back specialist goes a long way to creating the offense needed.

    So I’d say a third of the problem is that we need is staff like Roman, while changing the scheme, putting a QB under center again (too late perhaps for Sam for that, he’s been out of the shotgun so long), to bring back a full back and tight ends who can block, catch and run, and to have at least one big pounding back as well as a faster back who can catch. We also need to have at least one big WR who has a body to catch like a tight end.

    The second part is getting some speed back at corner and depth at linebacker. That’s Clancy’s biggest glaring problem, that he isn’t developing corners nor recruiting enough speed.

    The final part though is the issue is Clay himself though. Clay’s team on both sides of the ball blows blocks, miss assignments, plays uninspired, etc. which reflects Clay himself. Maybe some new staff can change that too.

  17. Hmmm,
    Sounds like concerns about coaching at SoCal are steadily growing.
    Wonder what happens if Helton blows the Furd game. Does Swanny can him on the spot or does he just sit back and watch Kelly take all available great recruits in LA?
    Tough spot you Trojans are in, still suffering from St. Pat’s Syndrome.

  18. ” I would say that Tee is going to be an exceptional head coach and doesn’t he look great in that shirt with the target on the back?”

  19. I think the play calling was terrible a lot of the time. Sending in every play was causing Darnold a problem. Most of the time he was calling audibles with ten seconds or less. Taking this approach instead of the hurry up offense I believe threw all his timing off.

  20. How about some real reporting and can we get an update on the injury status of our best O-lineman (Chris Brown) and best D-lineman (Rasheem Green)?
    Jeesh….

  21. “I wonder what John Baxter, the best special teams in the country…” Did you mean best special teams coach? You can’t even be a sarcastic fool correctly….

Comments are closed.