[1][2] The Helton family later lived in the Miami, Tampa Bay, and Houston areas, as Kim Helton later coached for the University of Miami, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Houston Oilers.

[2] Clay Helton attended Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas and graduated in 1990.

[3] After redshirting his freshman year, Helton played college football at Auburn as quarterback.

[1][3] At Houston, Helton completed 47 of 87 passes for 420 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions and played 16 games.

[3] After leaving Houston, Helton joined Rip Scherer's staff at Memphis also as running backs coach.

[7] On November 30, 2015, USC removed the interim tag and formally named Helton the 23rd head coach in school history.

Helton and his wife, Angela, have two sons, Reid and Turner and one daughter, Aubrey.