Former USC defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast has turned down a chance to return in a similar capacity for new Trojans coach Clay Helton, sources said.
Pendergast, who is currently the San Francisco 49ers linebackers coach, prefers to remain in the NFL, according to sources. He served as USC defensive coordinator in 2013.
With Pendergast no longer a candidate, the top candidates include former USC secondary coach and UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker, along with Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. Walker is currently an assistant coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Helton said he is in no rush to hire a defensive coordinator and might wait until mid-January.