Report: USC was interested in Bengals' Jackson as head coach

USC filled its head coaching vacancy Monday by signing interim head coach Clay Helton to a five-year deal, but that doesn't mean there weren't other candidates under consideration.

USC wanted to interview Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, but the sides were unable to work out timing for a meeting, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Jackson, who spent four years on USC's offensive staff from 1997-2000, is poised to be a highly sought after head coaching candidate in NFL circles after a strong season in Cincinnati.

Averaging 376.2 yards, Jackson's offense is NFL's seventh-ranked unit.

Jackson has one year of NFL head coaching experience, leading the Oakland Raiders to an 8-8 record in 2011 before a regime change saw the organization move in a different direction.