Gary Patterson is on the verge of landing a new gig - and it’s a big one. The longtime TCU head coach is reportedly in the final stages of a deal to become USC’s next defensive coordinator, according to multiple outlets.
The move would mark a significant hire for the Trojans, who are looking to reset on the defensive side of the ball after D’Anton Lynn’s departure to Penn State. Lynn left USC just days before the Trojans fell to TCU in the Alamo Bowl on December 30 - a twist of timing that now adds an extra layer of intrigue to Patterson’s potential arrival.
USC is coming off a 9-4 season, including a 7-2 run in Big Ten play. While the offense showed flashes of brilliance, the defense struggled with consistency - a familiar theme in recent years. Patterson’s arrival could be a game-changer.
At 65, Patterson brings not just experience, but a defensive pedigree few can match. He’s TCU’s all-time winningest coach and was just named to the College Football Hall of Fame’s 2026 class - a nod to a career that’s left a lasting imprint on the college football landscape.
But Patterson isn’t just a name from the past. He’s a defensive innovator, best known for pioneering the 4-2-5 scheme - a system built to counter modern spread offenses by replacing a traditional linebacker with a hybrid nickelback. That approach, once seen as unconventional, has now become a staple across college football.
During his 24-year run in Fort Worth, Patterson turned TCU into a national contender. The Horned Frogs took down Wisconsin in the 2010 Rose Bowl and dominated Ole Miss in the 2014 Peach Bowl.
His overall record? A rock-solid 181-79.
Before taking over as head coach, he served as TCU’s defensive coordinator from 1998 to 2000, laying the foundation for the program’s rise.
After parting ways with TCU in 2021, Patterson had short stints at Baylor in 2022 and Texas in 2024, gaining a fresh perspective from behind the scenes. Now, he’s poised to return to a leading role - this time in Los Angeles, where expectations are always sky-high.
If the deal goes through, Patterson won’t just be tasked with improving USC’s defense - he’ll be asked to help reshape its identity. And if his track record is any indication, the Trojans might be getting exactly what they need.