Keyshawn Johnson wants Trojans to help Clay Helton keep head coach job

USC hasn’t made a choice as to who will permanently replace Steve Sarkisian as the Trojans head football coach. But it sounds as though at least one prominent former player has made his.

Keyshawn Johnson, who was an All-American receiver for USC, came out backing Clay Helton on Thursday.

“You all want him to be the head coach of the future?” Johnson barked to the current Trojans after practice. “It’s up to you, because I know he wants to be the head coach.”

Helton has been appointed interim coach by Athletic Director Pat Haden. Sarkisian was placed on indefinite leave Sunday and fired a day later.

This is the second time Helton has led USC on a temporary basis. He also served as interim coach for USC’s 2013 Las Vegas Bowl victory.

“It is very humbling when you have [former players] out here and they see what you do and they respect you enough to be able to say those words,” Helton said.

USC, which fell to 3-2 and out of the national rankings after an upset loss to unranked Washington last week, plays 14th-ranked Notre Dame on Saturday in South Bend, Ind.

Johnson said players would need to perform “with the world watching” against Notre Dame in order to help Helton’s future.

“If you respond positively, they say nothing. If you respond negatively, all you’re gonna hear is, ‘He’s not the guy. Get him out of here… why don’t we go get Chip Kelly, he can run the offense,’” Johnson said. “Enough of that. This is your opportunity to make him the coach. It’s your opportunity, and it starts Saturday.”

Johnson was one of more than a dozen former players who stood on the sideline of Brian Kennedy-Howard Jones practice field while the Trojans practiced. About a hundred students also attended practice.

“It blows me away, the support that we’ve had this week,” Helton said. “And then to have these legends come out to support us, as well as our own students come out and be a part of this practice, it speaks volumes to what we represent.”

The students were invited into a post-practice huddle, where Johnson and former Trojans stars Keith Rivers and Willie McGinest gave impassioned speeches.

“Got a little turbulence, a little bumpy the last few days, but it’s up to you — to you all — to turn the tide,” Johnson said.

Said Rivers: “Change the game! Be who you are for four quarters for the rest of the season.”

Said McGinest: “This is self-evaluation. Who are you and who do you want to be? What kind of team do you guys want to be?”

Getting Chippy?

Kelly, coach of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, told reporters Thursday he had not heard from USC’s Haden or any other schools with head coach openings.

“I get it; we’re not successful and we’re not winning,” said Kelly, whose team is 2-3. “I came from college, [so] I’m going to go back to college.”

Kelly said he hoped to soon “win enough games [with the Eagles] that the speculation ends.”

Receivers shortage

USC may be without several wide receivers against Notre Dame.

Isaac Whitney is out because of a broken collarbone, Helton announced, and Steven Mitchell Jr. is also unlikely to be available because of an ankle sprain.

Whitney and Mitchell have combined for 23 receptions, six for touchdowns.

Darreus Rogers, who has been slowed because of a hamstring injury, will be a game-time decision. Rogers was sidelined in the first half against Arizona State on Sept. 26 and did not play last week against Washington.

Helton said Jalen Greene, who switched from quarterback to receiver in fall camp, could fill a role.

“He has really come on,” Helton said. Greene has caught five passes for 52 yards.

Freshman Deontay Burnett, who has played in three games, also could be an option, Helton said.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.