USC has appointed former TCU head coach Gary Patterson as its new defensive coordinator. Patterson, a College Football Hall of Fame inductee, brings extensive experience, including perfecting the 4-2-5 defensive scheme. He aims to improve USC's defense, which struggled against the run in the 2025 season.
USC is expected to hire longtime TCU head coach Gary Patterson as its newest defensive coordinator , according to multiple reports. USC has hired longtime TCU head coach Gary Patterson as its newest defensive coordinator , according to multiple reports.
Patterson, 65, is a 2026 inductee of the College Football Hall of Fame and went 181-79 at TCU to become the winningest coach in program history. He’s been working as an off-field analyst at Texas and as a consultant at Baylor since he was let go as TCU’s head coach in 2021. Patterson is highly regarded for his brilliance on defense, which included perfecting the 4-2-5 defensive scheme that is used by teams across the country. Prior to being the head coach at TCU, he was an assistant coach who mainly worked in a defensive capacity. He was the defensive coordinator at TCU from 1998 to 2000 and held the same position at New Mexico from 1996 to 1997. Navy and Utah State had used him as a secondary coach and he was a linebackers coach at multiple smaller schools, including Pittsburg State, UC Davis and Tennessee Tech.Patterson will inherit a defense that struggled to stop the run in the 2025 season. The Trojans allowed 143.23 rushing yards per game, which ranked them 12th out of 18 Big Ten Conference teams in terms of run defense. Several key defensive players will return next season. The defensive line will bring back Jahkeem Stewart, while Kameryn Crawford and Braylan Shelby will return at defensive end. Safety Christian Pierce and cornerback Marcelles Williams will also be back. USC has at least one more hire to make on defense before the staff is complete. Secondary coach Doug Belk has left the program, leaving an opportunity for Patterson to bring in one of his own men. Belk spent two seasons with the Trojans and in 2025, the passing defense allowed 207.5 yards per game to rank ninth in the Big Ten.Here are 3 great sandwich shops in the San Fernando ValleyGlendale firefighter arrested after wife found dead inside North Hollywood homeSheriff’s detectives shoot, kill robbery suspect at Fallbrook Center mallAfter housing nearly 300 people, Los Angeles officials to expand San Fernando Valley’s RV-to-Home project citywide Immigration officials allow suspect in $100 million Southern California jewelry heist to self deport, avoiding trial
USC Gary Patterson Defensive Coordinator TCU College Football
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Gilmore Girls' Scott Patterson Reflects on 25 Years of the Series: 'Nobody Could Have Imagined This'Meredith Loftus is a TV Lists Editor at Collider. As part of the Lists team, she creates both trending and evergreen list topics in order to engage Collider's active audience. Prior to this, she was a Features Author focused on both movie and TV topics.
Read more »
USC is closing in on naming Gary Patterson the Trojans' defensive coordinatorUSC coach Lincoln Riley is looking to Hall of Fame coach Gary Patterson to revamp the Trojans' defense. The unit has struggled during Riley's tenure.
Read more »
Three Things to Know About USC Defensive Coordinator Target Gary PattersonThe USC Trojans are in need of a new defensive coordinator. According to reports from college football writer Pete Thamel, the Trojans are nearing a deal with former TCU Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson.
Read more »
Why Gary Patterson is a Great Hire for USC TrojansFormer TCU head coach Gary Patterson is expected to become the next defensive coordinator for the USC Trojans. Southern Cal is replacing D'Anton Lynn, who left to take the same position with the Penn State.
Read more »
'Gilmore Girls' Solved a TV Problem 25 Years Ago That Most Shows Still Haven't Figured OutScott Patterson as Luke in Gilmore Girls
Read more »
The Underrated Reason Why The Gary Patterson Hire At USC Will WorkThe USC Trojans have reportedly found their No. 1 target for their defensive coordinator opening. Former TCU coach Gary Patterson has emerged as the top choice for Lincoln Riley and the Trojans. Here's the underrated reason why Patterson will work at USC.
Read more »