- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
USC Trojans Face Crucial Defensive Coordinator Question
Can Gary Patterson turn around the Trojans' defense in time for a College Football Playoff run?
Mar. 29, 2026 at 12:04am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The USC Trojans have made some major changes to their defensive coaching staff this offseason, hiring longtime TCU defensive coordinator Gary Patterson to lead their unit. With the departure of former coordinator D'Anton Lynn, the Trojans are hoping Patterson can quickly get the defense on track and make them a true contender for the College Football Playoff in 2026.
Why it matters
The Trojans' defense struggled at times in 2025, giving up 30 or more points in each of their four losses. If USC wants to be a national title contender, they'll need to shore up the defense and become one of the best units in the country.
The details
Patterson hasn't been a defensive coordinator in over 25 years, so there are questions about whether he can still get the most out of his players. However, he developed a reputation at TCU for maximizing talent, and the Trojans have brought in some key reinforcements in the transfer portal and recruiting to bolster the defense. The Trojans are hoping Patterson's experience and the new talent can quickly turn things around on that side of the ball.
- USC hired Gary Patterson as defensive coordinator in the offseason.
- The Trojans struggled defensively in 2025, giving up 30+ points in each of their four losses.
The players
Gary Patterson
Longtime defensive coordinator who is taking over the USC defense after a successful tenure at TCU.
Lincoln Riley
Head coach of the USC Trojans who made the decision to hire Gary Patterson as defensive coordinator.
D'Anton Lynn
Former USC defensive coordinator who left to take the same position at Penn State.
Jontez Williams
Four-star cornerback transfer from Iowa State who will provide a veteran presence in the USC secondary.
Luke Wafle
Five-star edge rusher recruit who should play a big role as a true freshman for the Trojans.
What’s next
The Trojans will look to Gary Patterson to quickly get the defense in order during spring practices as they gear up for a make-or-break 2026 season with high expectations.
The takeaway
The success of USC's 2026 season will hinge on whether Gary Patterson can turn around the Trojans' defense and transform it into one of the top units in the country. If he can, USC will be a legitimate College Football Playoff contender.
