USC Turns to Defensive Legend Gary Patterson as Trojans Eye Next Step in Championship Push
When USC let a 10-point lead slip away in the Alamo Bowl and fell 30-27 in overtime to TCU, the ending felt all too familiar. A missed tackle here, a blown assignment there-and then Jeremy Payne streaking down the sideline for a 35-yard walk-off touchdown. For a program that’s been haunted by defensive lapses during the Lincoln Riley era, it was a painful reminder that no matter how electric the offense is, the other side of the ball still needs fixing.
That’s where Gary Patterson comes in.
Weeks after that loss, Riley made a bold move by hiring Patterson-TCU’s all-time winningest coach and a 2026 College Football Hall of Fame electee-as USC’s new defensive coordinator. Patterson steps in to replace D’Anton Lynn, who left for Penn State after helping the Trojans make meaningful progress on defense over the past two seasons.
It’s a hire that signals intent. Riley has said that USC’s assistant coaching search was deep, and that the program’s growing alignment-from the administration to the recruiting staff-has made it easier to attract top-tier coaching talent. Landing Patterson, a defensive mind with a proven track record, backs that up in a big way.
“We want to go from being a very good defense to being a great defense,” Riley said. “We have the personnel to do it. We’re on an upward trend.”
Patterson brings with him a defensive pedigree that few can match. During his time at TCU, his units consistently ranked among the best in the country.
The 2010 Horned Frogs led the nation in scoring defense during an undefeated season, and from 2005 to 2010, TCU finished each year inside the top 15 in points allowed per game. Even in 2014, when the College Football Playoff era began, Patterson’s defense ranked eighth nationally in scoring defense and came within a whisker of making the four-team field.
Now, the question is whether Patterson’s defensive blueprint can translate to today’s Big Ten-a league that’s evolving rapidly with new offensive wrinkles and physicality at every turn. And after five years away from full-time coaching, there’s some curiosity about how quickly he’ll adjust to the rhythm of the current game.
But make no mistake: USC couldn’t afford to miss on this hire. With Riley at the helm, the Trojans’ offense is going to hum.
That’s a given. But for USC to finally break through and contend for a national title, the defense has to hold up its end.
Under Lynn, the unit took a step forward in 2025, allowing just 23 points per game-the best mark of the Riley era. Now it’s Patterson’s job to raise that bar even higher.
Despite Bowl Loss, USC Trending Up
Sure, the Alamo Bowl stung. And yes, closing the season with two losses in the final three games wasn’t the ideal sendoff.
But Riley remains confident that the foundation he’s been building over the last four years is starting to solidify. After the bowl season, he spoke with conviction about where the program is headed.
“This place is doing all the things that you need to do to put yourself in position to go bust that door down and do it,” Riley said. “I really believe a window here has opened up… it’s open now.”
That window didn’t open by accident. It’s taken a shift in recruiting philosophy, better alignment between the football program and the university leadership, and a more strategic approach to roster building. While the Trojans still haven’t made their first College Football Playoff appearance and struggled against top-25 teams this past season, there’s a growing sense that the pieces are finally falling into place.
Recruiting Class Signals a New Era
When Riley first arrived in 2022, he leaned heavily on the transfer portal. It worked-USC won 11 games and produced a Heisman winner-but it wasn’t a formula built for long-term success. Riley recognized that and pivoted, focusing instead on stacking elite high school talent and keeping California’s top prospects home.
That shift paid off in a big way. USC signed the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class for 2026, according to 247Sports-the first non-SEC program to do so since 2008. Nine of the top 100 recruits in the country are heading to Los Angeles, including offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe, the No. 1 player at his position and No. 5 overall.
Recent national champions have shown that while the portal is a great supplement, you still need to build from the ground up. USC took a major step in that direction this cycle, and the impact of this class could be felt as early as spring practice.
Maiava Returns to Lead Re-tooled Offense
On the offensive side, USC loses two of its top weapons at wide receiver, including Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon. But with quarterback Jayden Maiava returning for his senior season, there’s reason to believe the Trojans won’t miss a beat.
Maiava will need to develop new chemistry with a reshuffled receiving corps, but he’s shown he can adapt. One name to watch is Tanook Hines, a rising sophomore who caught 34 passes for 561 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman. With another offseason under his belt, he could be the next breakout star in Riley’s system.
In the backfield, USC gets a boost with the return of Waymond Jordan, who’s expected to be fully healthy after undergoing ankle tightrope surgery. He’ll pair with King Miller, who stepped up in Jordan’s absence and gives the Trojans a dynamic one-two punch in the run game.
The Road Ahead
There’s no sugarcoating it-USC still has to prove it can win the big games, especially in the Big Ten gauntlet. But with a Hall of Fame coach now steering the defense, a top-ranked recruiting class on the way, and a veteran quarterback returning, the pieces are there.
Riley’s vision for USC has always been about more than just flashy offense. It’s about building a complete, championship-caliber program.
The hire of Gary Patterson is more than just a coaching move-it’s a statement. USC is serious about contending, and they’re not waiting around to make it happen.