Former Cal defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast officially joined USC’s coaching staff in the same capacity last week. Now, he’s been assigned additional responsibilities.
USC made the announcement on Thursday that defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders has left the program, and that Pendergast will assume Sanders’ responsibilities in the Trojans secondary. Pendergast replaced former USC defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.
“We wish Marvin Sanders and his family the best of luck,” said Lane Kiffin in a release. “Marvin did a great job for us coaching our secondary and in recruiting. But with the hiring of Clancy Pendergast as our defensive coordinator, we decided to go in a different direction based on Clancy’s desire to oversee the defensive backs unit.”
Sanders had only been with USC for one season.
The Trojans pass defense was average last season, ranking 68th by giving up roughly 240 yards per game through the air and 18 touchdowns. During USC’s late season slide, the Trojans defense gave up 33 points per game during the final six games of the year, including a Sun Bowl loss to Georgia Tech.