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Is there trouble in paradise?

The USC Insider newsletter is up and running.

This is for the hard-core USC fans, who want to know what’s really happening.

So let’s get started: Is there some friction under the surface at USC with the coaches?

I recently spoke to a player on the team last season (2020), who is no longer on the roster. He relayed this incident during a practice.

“One day, Coach (Clay) Helton came over to say something to (a coordinator). Afterward, (the coordinator) said, `I wish that dumb son-of-a-b**** would go away and get the hell out of here.’ ”

I can’t remember ever hearing an assistant coach saying that about Pete Carroll, let alone a coordinator. More importantly, does it illustrate how USC has divided the offense and defense into separate kingdoms, where Helton is merely the figurehead?

Is there a lack of respect among the coaches?

However you want to describe it, this does not seem ideal for a successful program.