Eight potential candidates to replace Steve Sarkisian at USC

Oct 4, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly looks on from the sidelines against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Fisher – St. Louis Rams

Jeff Fisher seems like he’s been mentioned as a USC coach for the better part of the decade. The USC alum and has a team on the rise in the St. Louis Rams and isn’t looking for his first college job in any capacity now. He’s coached in the NFL since 1985 and been a head coach since 1994, so the thought of him being the USC head coach are far-fetched.

Jack Del Rio – Oakland Raiders

The former USC linebacker could have been a perfect fit a few years ago, but now that he’s a head coach again in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders, the chances of him returning to USC are slim and none. He’s got a quarterback to build the team around in Derek Carr and potential superstars in the last two first round picks, Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper.

Chip Kelly – Philadelphia Eagles

This is the pie-in-the-sky hire, similar to Texas’ pursuit of Nick Saban. Although that may have been more realistic than Kelly leaving the Eagles and coming to USC. It’s just not a fit for either party, and I’d put the chances at less than one in a million, so I’m not saying there’s much of a chance, let’s focus on some candidates with a legit possibility to be a candidate for the USC vacancy.

USC is not getting their next head coach from a sitting NFL coach. Time to move on. The chatter will be there, just like it always seems to be with Jon Gruden, but Kelly, Fisher, Del Rio, Sean Payton or even Pete Carroll are not coming to USC. It was a once in a lifetime deal when Carroll came to USC and trying to chase that glory will continue to bury USC.

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