AD Lynn Swann has ‘given me nothing but support,’ Clay Helton says

After each USC football game, Coach Clay Helton meets with Athletic Director Lynn Swann.

Usually, Helton said, they go over what worked well and what didn’t in the previous day’s game. Sometimes, Swann offers advice.

Saturday’s meeting could have been more tense than usual. Utah’s crushing comeback win over USC on Friday dropped the Trojans to 1-3 on the season, their first such start since 2001. It also sunk Helton’s record to 1-5 since he was named the full-time head coach, with a lone win over Utah State.

It raised a question: How did Swann feel about the state of the program?

Helton reported Saturday’s visit went smoothly.

“He was extremely supportive,” Helton said on a teleconference with reporters.

Swann has offered few comments on the football program during the season. After USC’s blowout loss to Alabama in the first game, in a monthly “State of the Trojans” interview posted on the athletic department’s website, Swann said he thought USC was better than it had showed.

“Our ultimate goal is to win the Pac-12 and have a chance to be in the Rose Bowl,” the statement said.

Then, after the Utah State win, USC lost by 17 points to Stanford. A few days later, Swann did an on-camera interview with the Pac-12 Networks.

“I assured Clay that I was 100% behind him,” Swann said. “I want him to be successful.”

Friday’s loss created more questions. Swann’s managerial style leading the department remains an unknown. He has been in the role for less than three months. Before that, he had no experience in an athletic department, aside from playing at USC.

And Swann was not responsible for hiring Helton. That decision was made by Swann’s predecessor, Pat Haden.

Helton said the pair discussed the positives from Friday’s game.

“He was very pleased with the quarterback play and the ability to run the football,” Helton said.

Swann also offered his view of what USC needed to fix. But overall, Helton said, “He’s given me nothing but support.”

“I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of him,” Helton said.

Swann has indicated that he’ll probably keep his views on Helton to himself. In the August interview, Swann said he was not one to be very vocal publicly.

“Most people don’t want to hear from the athletic director unless there’s a problem,” he said.

Spot check

Some observers wondered whether Helton’s decision to punt late in the fourth quarter, facing a fourth and three in Utah territory, would have been different had USC received a better third-down spot.

On that play, JuJu Smith-Schuster caught a short pass about a yard before the first-down marker. The officials ruled Smith-Schuster had run about two yards backward following the catch.

Afterward, Helton said was awaiting the spot before he made his fourth-down decision. So on Saturday, he was asked if he considered asking for a review.

“It was on the far sideline,” Helton said. “I just trusted the official to make his spot.”

Quick hits

Right tackle Zach Banner suffered a mild ankle sprain on the last play of Friday’s game but is expected to return to practice this week. … Cornerback Jack Jones also sprained his ankle and had to leave the game. He was walking with a boot after the game, and Helton said his sprain is more serious than Banner’s. … Defensive tackle Noah Jefferson rejoined the team after spending time in his native Las Vegas to tend to personal matters. His sprained shoulder is still being evaluated. … Defensive tackle Kenny Bigelow, who underwent knee surgery March 31, has attended practices, but Helton said on Saturday he does not expect Bigelow to resume football-related activities this season.

zach.helfand@latimes.com

Twitter: @zhelfand