Reports indicate USC coach Lane Kiffin Kiffin interviewed Pendergast prior to the Sun Bowl and he's been the frontrunner since.

The 45-year-old Pendergast worked for Jeff Tedford at Cal from 2010 to 2012 after working for both the Arizona Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL.

Reign Of Troy with a highlight:

In Berkeley, Pendergast’s resume is highlighted with the effort of one game in particular, when he held the then-No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks to just 15 points, one offensive touchdown and an astounding 2.9 yards per carry in 2010. Considering that the Trojans have been desperate to find answer for Chip Kelly’s blur, especially after giving up 62 points and 730 yards to the Ducks back in November, there’s a lot for Lane Kiffin to like in Pendergast.