USC just made a major move on the defensive side of the ball, officially bringing in longtime TCU head coach Gary Patterson as its new defensive coordinator. It’s a hire that carries weight-not just because of Patterson’s résumé, but because of what it signals about the Trojans’ ambitions heading into 2026.
Patterson is no stranger to success. From 2000 to 2021, he built TCU into a perennial contender, winning six conference titles across three different leagues.
That kind of adaptability and sustained excellence doesn’t happen by accident. Patterson’s defenses were known for being fast, aggressive, and fundamentally sound-traits USC has sorely needed on that side of the ball.
What makes this pairing even more intriguing is Patterson’s history with USC head coach Lincoln Riley. These two have squared off before-most memorably in the 2017 Big 12 Championship Game.
That day, Riley’s Oklahoma offense lit up Patterson’s TCU defense, with Baker Mayfield throwing four touchdowns and sealing his Heisman campaign in a 41-17 rout. It was one of those games where everything clicked for Riley’s offense, and Patterson’s unit simply didn’t have the answers.
Fast forward eight years, and now they’re on the same sideline in Los Angeles. It’s a full-circle moment-and one that could be a game-changer for the Trojans.
Riley’s offense has never been the issue at USC. The Trojans have consistently put up points under his watch.
The problem has been stopping anyone else from doing the same. That’s where Patterson comes in.
The hope is clear: Riley’s offense continues to hum, while Patterson brings the kind of defensive toughness and structure that’s been missing. USC doesn’t need Patterson to reinvent the wheel-they just need him to tighten the bolts. If he can get this defense to play with discipline, generate pressure, and get off the field on third down, the Trojans have a real shot to contend in a big way.
It’s a bold move, and one that speaks volumes about where USC wants to go. Pairing two former Big 12 rivals on the same staff isn’t just a headline-it’s a strategy. And if it works, it could be the missing piece in USC’s quest to return to national relevance.