Whenever a college football head coach is fired -- as Steve Sarkisian was at USC on Monday afternoon -- some of the immediate thought from fans and media is directed toward the ongoing and future recruiting classes. Usually, the two different scenarios that lead to a coach's departure -- he's struggling and the program is floundering, or he's succeeding and gets plucked for a better job -- lead to two different outcomes on the recruiting trail. In the case of college football's power programs, a coaching change that’s indicative of on-field struggles usually results in a boost for recruiting.
That was the case for USC following Lane Kiffin's firing during the 2013 season, and both Florida and Michigan fared just fine on the 2015 trail after making coaching changes. While there might be a few immediate bumps in the road, USC always recruits well, and eventually, the 2016 class will be no different. Though in the immediate aftermath, it might be slightly difficult for USC fans to see the forest for the trees.
Shortly after the news that Sarkisian was placed on indefinite leave and before it was announced that he was fired, ESPN 300 linebacker Daelin Hayes tweeted his decommitment.
— ⚡️Daelin Hayes⚡️ (@DaelinHayes_24) October 11, 2015
Hayes took an official visit to Notre Dame but appeared to be strong in his USC commitment, as the linebacker signed early enrollment financial aid paperwork following that trip to South Bend. Though Hayes did not specifically mention Sarkisian or the coaching upheaval in the message announcing his decommitment, it's not a long trip to connect the dots.
Several other commitments in USC's class, ranked No. 6 in the country, are taking a "wait-and-see" approach before formally announcing anything.
"I'm going to talk to my dad about it and will have an answer in a few days," ESPN 300 wide receiver Tyler Vaughns said. He added that "of course" USC would remain in the mix no matter his impending decision.
ESPN 300 offensive lineman Frank Martin said he now plans to take his official visits following the news regarding Sarkisian. But in the end, it's difficult to imagine several of the in-state prospects, including Vaughns Martin, Trevon Sidney, C.J. Pollard, Michael Pittman and others, signing elsewhere, barring a shift in recruitment by the new head coach. Ultimately, it should be easier for interim head coach Clay Helton to keep the local prospects in the fold, as several of them in the 2016 and 2017 classes will eventually sign with USC no matter who the coach is. Cornerback Thomas Graham, an ESPN Junior 300 prospect, said he's all in with USC.
"It doesn't affect my recruitment," Graham said. "Still 100 percent USC."
ESPN 300 tight end Cary Angeline committed to USC in late June and is one of six Trojans 2016 commitments from outside California.
"I would guess he is in the same situation as any other recruit," Chris Angeline, Cary's father, told ESPN.com's Tom VanHaaren. "We'll just have to see what happens. USC is a great school, and I'm sure they will hire an excellent head coach. ...Cary has plenty of time to figure things out."
Pac-12 rivals are recruiting at a high level, and Stanford and UCLA especially have made things much tougher on USC when it comes to landing its top targets, but it's a safe bet that the Trojans’ signing day haul will be the envy of much of the country. With recent history serving as a strong indication of the heights USC could still reach on the recruiting trail, it's worth noting the Trojans signed three of the state's top five prospects in the 2014 class following Sarkisian's hiring, as USC landed Adoree' Jackson, Juju Smith-Schuster and Damian Mama on signing day.
As for assistant coaches, wide receivers coach Tee Martin could be a key name for the Trojans. He has developed strong connections in Southern California and is a big reason the Trojans have had so much success at the wide receiver position in recent years. He is also the father of 2017 USC commitment Amari Rogers, who said where his father winds up could make a big impact on where Rogers eventually signs. Of course, finishing out the season on a positive note would go a long way toward helping keep the class together as well.
But whatever the final record may show, it's tough to imagine a hiring that doesn't generate some excitement from recruits, which would again mean good things on the trail for USC.