The biggest coaching opening in college football came off the vacancy board on Monday as USC athletic director Pat Haden announced Clay Helton has signed a five-year deal to serve as the Trojans' head coach.Helton took over as head coach on an interim basis on Oct. 12 after . The Trojans were 5-2 under Helton with lo ses to Notre Dame and Oregon, good enough to earn a berth in Saturday's Pac-12 Championship Game against Stanford, and good enough to end Haden's search for a permanent coach."After weeks of searching the collegiate and pro Robert Lewandowski Jersey ranks, interviewing candidates, and speaking with head coaches, athletic directors, NFL executives, and very knowledgeable football people, and after observing Clay in action the past seven weeks, it became abundantly clear that what we were searching for in a coach was right here in front of us," Haden Mohamed Salah Jersey stated in a . "Choosing a coach is an inexact science. In Clay's case, there is exactne s. We have a man with unquestioned integrity. He is a fantastic person and he is real. Clay is a leader of young men. He is a terrific communicator. He brings high character, stability, continuity, consistency, toughne s and resiliency to our program."Among the other coaches USC inquired about was coach Jack Del Rio, according to . Other Clubs Jersey Del Rio was a consensus All-American linebacker at USC and a 1985 Rose Bowl MVP for the Trojans. Haden's decision also that coach Chip Kelly could end up as USC's coach. Kelly was 46-7 over four seasons at Oregon before taking the job. that he hasn't looked at college jobs and is committed to the . Haden told FOX Sports' Bruce Feldman on Monday that .While the hire seemed to be , including junior linebacker and senior Liverpool FC Jersey quarterback , it wasn't so popular with some former Trojans, . Haden has already come under legitimate criticism for the Sarkisian hire and whether the former coach's . In replacing Sarkisian with an a sistant who has no previous head-coaching experience (excluding his time as interim coach), Haden is rolling dangerous dice. USC's is one of the most high-profile jobs in college football, and a more proven track record as a head coach is a requirement for far le ser roles.Helton, 43, had been Sarkisian's offensive coordinator. His hiring makes Georgia the among 14 vacant head-coaching jobs at the FBS level."I am extremely humbled and grateful to (USC president) Max Nikias, Pat Haden and the Trojan Family for having the opportunity FC Bayern Munich Jersey to be the head football coach at the University of Southern California. During my six years here, I have learned the standard of excellence that it takes to be a Trojan. I understand the expectations of this great university and welcome the challenge," Helton said, per the school release. and former USC coach Pete Carroll to show support for Haden's decision on Monday.*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter *.