USC's Steve Sarkisian will hand off play-calling duties to OC Clay Helton

USC coach Steve Sarkisian said Saturday he will cede offensive play-calling responsibilities to offensive coordinator Clay Helton this season so he can focus more extensively on head-coaching duties.

Sarkisian, who courted controversy by making inappropriate comments during a donor function last week that he later credited to mixing alcohol and medication, told reporters that he'd been developing the plan to shunt off play-calling duties since the Trojans' spring training camp.

"I want to be a great head coach," he said of the decision, as transcribed by the team's official Twitter account. "I don't want set offensive records and be 8-5 or 9-4. I want to win 14 games."

Helton will now coach from the sidelines after spending last season in the press box, Scott Wolf of the Los Angeles Daily News reports. Wide receivers coach Tee Martin will take his place atop the bleachers.

Sarkisian said he will probably be more involved on third downs and red-zone situations.