USC Head Coach Clay Helton Is ‘Excited’ To Welcome Reggie Bush Back To Program

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The USC football program announced Wednesday morning that they will allow Reggie Bush to interact with his alma mater after a 10-year disassociation from the university.

KSL Sports asked current USC head coach Clay Helton about the news and being able to use Bush to create a positive impact on his program.

“Reggie has been such a great part of not only college football history but USC football history,” Helton told the Crimson Corner. “He means so much. I have been here for 10 years and to have lived in Southern California, you don’t know what he means to the younger players in this generation. To be able to welcome him back and Reggie as you saw last year on FOX, he is just so good for the game. I personally can’t wait to have him be able to share his knowledge of the game with our players as well as life. It’s an exciting time.”

.@USCCoachHelton joined the Crimson Corner podcast with @TrevorASports this morning and reacted to the news that @ReggieBush has returned to the program.

More details:https://t.co/63QrVk0EZS pic.twitter.com/rhm39p1TZd

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 10, 2020

10-Year Ban Lifted

This ban for Bush from the program followed a NCAA-mandated 10-year disassociation from the program. The timing came as a result of an NCAA Committee on Infractions rule that was adopted in 2017, which limits any mandated disassociation between an individual and a school to 10 years. The ban began for Bush on June 10, 2010, as a part of sweeping sanctions that included a two-year postseason ban, 14 vacated victories including the 2004 BCS National Championship and the loss of 30 scholarships.

The sanctions came after a four-year extra-benefits investigation. The probe determined that Bush and family members, while he was attending USC, accepted cash, travel expenses and a home in the San Diego area where Bush’s parents lived rent-free for more than a year. The family was also provided $10,000 to furnish. Bush returned the Heisman Trophy that he won in 2005.

“I’ve dreamed of this day for 10+ years, and I’m excited to come home!”

– @ReggieBushhttps://t.co/8e43662ZdM

— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) June 10, 2020

Bush said that he is excited to be a part of the Trojan family again.

“I’ve dreamed of this day for 10-plus years, and I’m excited to come home!”

USC Director of Athletics Mike Bohn released the following statement on Wednesday.

“When I was hired to represent the Trojan Family as the Director of Athletics, I committed to listening and learning before leading,” Bohn said. “Throughout this process, one of the consistent themes that emerged from my discussions was how much Reggie Bush means to our former players, USC alumni, and fans everywhere. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Reggie and so many of his teammates, and I’m pleased his disassociation has ended so that we can welcome him back to our family. I’m confident that Reggie will use his incredible platform and influential voice to support and empower all of our student-athletes.”

Bush currently works as a college football analyst for FOX. The network brought their pregame show on site at the LA Coliseum last year when the Trojans faced the Utes. Bush received permission to attend the game for FOX.

Bush’s Impact On USC Moving Forward

In Helton’s conversation with the Crimson Corner, he mentioned that he is very excited to be able to utilize Bush to improve the program.

“This is a guy that has a wealth of knowledge and to be able to share with young people, I think is going to be truly special,” Helton said. “I’ve gotten a chance to know Reggie as a broadcaster and as a former player. He is a tremendous father, husband and person and to be able to put that in front of young men is exciting. I know that all of the USC Trojans are fired up to be able to welcome Reggie back.”

In three seasons with USC, Bush rushed for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns. When he won the Heisman Trophy in 2005, he ran for 1,740 yards and 16 touchdowns while catching 37 passes for 478 yards and two more scores.

The Utes and Trojans will square off at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Friday, October 2.

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.