Clancy Pendergast, who commanded USC's best defense in the past seven seasons, will return to Troy as the defensive coordinator. Head coach Clay Helton desired an aggressive defensive mind and tabbed Pendergast, whose 5-2 scheme made the Trojans the top defense in the Pac-12 in 2013, his latest stint at USC.Click here for the complete story on the Pendergast hire.
"We are very excited to announce the return of Clancy Pendergast as our defensive coordinator," said Helton. "I have had the good fortune to watch Clancy lead our defense first hand and was blown away by his knowledge of the game as well as his teaching abilities. His success at both the NFL and college level makes it easy to see why he is one of the top defensive coaches in the game today. His aggressive style of defensive play is something I know our players as well as the Trojan Family will enjoy."
Known for his ability to slow down spread offenses and create pressure, Pendergast has built a strong reputation over his 24-year coaching career, including 16 seasons in the NFL. In 2013, despite being undermanned at the height of the NCAA sanctions, the Trojan defense ranked in the national Top 25 in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, pass efficiency defense, sacks, interceptions, red zone scoring defense, third down conversion defense and fourth down conversion defense.
Most recently, Pendergast spent last season as the San Francisco 49ers linebackers coach. Before USC, he served as the defensive coordinator at Cal (2010-12), the Kansas City Chiefs (2009) and the Arizona Cardinals (2004-08), including Super Bowl XLIII.
Back in 1992, just starting his coaching career, Pendergast served as a USC defensive assistant under head coach Larry Smith.
