Former Titans, Rams coach Jeff Fisher 'in the mix' for USC Trojans job

Jeff Fisher hasn't returned to the coaching ranks since he was fired by the Los Angeles Rams during the 2016 season, but he may soon resurface in the college ranks. According to Brett McMurphy of Action Network, Fisher is "in the mix" to be the next head coach of the USC Trojans.

Fisher, 63, played defensive back for USC before he was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 1981 NFL Draft. After a brief playing career cut short by an ankle injury, Fisher began coaching as an assistant for the Bears in 1985. 

While Fisher has no experience coaching college football, former Chiefs and Jets head coach Herm Edwards had minimal college coaching experience when he was hired by the Arizona State Sun Devils in 2018. Former Eagles and 49ers coach Chip Kelly is also in the Pac-12 after taking over as the UCLA Bruins' head coach in 2017.

USC has gone 18-13 since the beginning of the 2018 season, but is still considered a coveted coaching job. According to former Trojans quarterback Carson Palmer, other candidates for the job include Penn State's James Franklin, Iowa State's Matt Campbell, Cincinnati's Luke Fickell, and the Pittsburgh Steelers' Mike Tomlin.

Fisher previously coached the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans for 17 seasons before he was fired following the 2010 season. He later coached the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams for five seasons. Fisher ranks 12th in NFL history in regular season coaching wins, but is tied for first in losses.

Earlier in 2021, Fisher was hired as an advisor by Tennessee State head coach Eddie George.