USC recruiting made it through contact period without several assistants

USC went through two weeks of the NCAA contact period shorthanded in recruiting after Coach Clay Helton fired four assistants.

Recruiting coordinator Peter Sirmon, one of four assistants retained, said that their recruiting method helped prepare for that type of situation.

“We try to keep three guys on every kid that we recruit,” said Sirmon, adding that a player would be in contact with a coach who recruited his area, his position and the coordinator that he would play under.

Assistant Lenny Vandermade, who was promoted to tight ends coach after Steve Sarkisian was fired, was able to go on the road to recruit.

Keynodo Hudson, an offensive administrative assistant, also was designated to recruit prior to the dead period, Sirmon said.

USC has maintained 14 committed players in the 2016 class since Helton took over as coach and received a commitment from defensive back Bubba Bolden from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman High in the 2017 class.

At least four players, offensive lineman Nathan Smith, defensive back C.J. Pollard and receivers Michael Pittman and Josh Imatorbhebhe, have signed financial-aid agreements and will enroll in January.

USC has six available scholarships in 2016.

Recruiting is in a dead period through Jan. 13, after which coaches can return to the road until Jan. 31.

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