Major shakeup for USC Trojans Coaching Staff: Defensive Coordinator Justin Wilcox and others out

**Update** USC has confirmed Justin Wilcox, Keith Heyward, Bob Connelly, and Chris Wilson are out. These assistants will not coach in the Holiday Bowl, and Clay Helton will not call the offensive plays next season.

USC head coach Clay Helton announces that DC Justin Wilcox and assistants Keith Heyward, Bob Connelly and Chris Wilson will not be retained.

— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) December 7, 2015

Wilcox, Heyward, Connelly and Wilson will not coach the bowl game. Helton "has a plan in place" to fill the voids with the current staff.

— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) December 7, 2015

Helton expects the remaining assistant coaches to be on the staff again next year.

— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) December 7, 2015

Helton announces that he will not call the plays next season, but he has not yet hired any new assistant coaches.

— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) December 7, 2015

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Original story:

Since Clay Helton was named the USC Trojans head coach following the victory over UCLA many assumed he might do some housekeeping and bring in his own staff. Following the loss to Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship game to last night, reports of a major staff shakeup for USC, particularly on the defensive side of the ball are rolling in on twitter and other places. Lindsey Thiry of the LA Times appears to be on top of the story on twitter. Reign of Troy has also posted an article about the story.

As expected, big staff shake-up coming at #USC. Am told much of the Trojans D staff is expected to be out.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 7, 2015

Can confirm reports that #USC’s Tee Martin and Peter Sirmon are among assistants retained by Clay Helton.

— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) December 7, 2015

USC defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox, who has been under fire for some time was reportedly among the first to go. If you will recall, the heat on Justin Wilcox really turned up after the Trojans' first game against Stanford back in September. Now, less than 24 hours after a second loss to Stanford this season Wilcox has reportedly been let go.

Also can confirm that #USC defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox has been let go.

— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) December 7, 2015

Given how the young defensive backs looked at times this season, particularly against Oregon, a shakeup in the secondary would not be terribly shocking.

Per source, USC coaches Keith Heyward, DB coach and Chris Wilson, defensive line, are dismissed.

— Lisa Horne (@LisaHorne) December 7, 2015

Can also confirm reports that #USC’s DB coach Keith Hayward, and defensive line coach Chris Wilson have been let go.

— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) December 7, 2015

#USC coach Clay Helton decided last night he would fire coaches today per source. Defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox first to be informed

— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) December 7, 2015

The personnel changes implemented by Clay Helton will apparently take effect immediately as the coaches reportedly let go may not be coaching USC in the Holiday Bowl.

#USC DB coach Keith Heyward said Clay Helton told him he would not be back, He will not coach in bowl game. Wishes Helton and USC well.

— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) December 7, 2015

As of now, the reported firings have been contained largely to the defensive side of the ball.

#USC S&C coach Ivan Lewis has been asked to remain on staff. Lewis also has received interest from NFL, other college programs.

— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) December 7, 2015

Source tells me much of #USC's staff has been let go. Hearing only Sirmons (LB), Tuiasosopo (QB/TE) and Martin (WR) have been retained.

— Adam Maya (@AdamJMaya) December 6, 2015

We will keep you updated as more information comes along.