USC signs Clay Helton to new contract through 2023

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Southern California coach Clay Helton has received a contract extension through the 2023 season after leading the Trojans to their first conference title since 2008.

USC has a 21-6 record in the last two seasons under Helton, including a 31-28 win in the Pac-12 title game over Stanford to become the first team from the South Division to win the conference since it expanded in 2011. Helton is the first coach in school history to win at least 10 games in each of his first two seasons as head coach.

Helton was promoted to head coach in Nov. 2015 and received a five-year contract following the in-season firing of Steve Sarkisian.

Including two stints as interim coach in 2013 and 2015, Helton is 27-10 at USC. The Trojans have not lost a home game under Helton.

"We have lofty goals at USC and Clay can get us to those goals," USC athletic director Lynn Swann said.ˆ "He has shown that he can lead our team with integrity and stability and that he has the ability to win conference and national championships."

Financial terms of the extension were not disclosed.

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