The reshaping of USC’s defensive staff continues, and the latest move comes from within. Skyler Jones, who’s been in the building the past two seasons as a defensive analyst, is stepping into a bigger role - he’ll take over as the Trojans’ defensive tackles coach for the 2026 season.
This promotion fills the vacancy left by Eric Henderson, who departed earlier this offseason to join the Washington Commanders as an assistant coach. Henderson brought a strong NFL pedigree to USC, and now the Trojans are turning to someone who not only worked closely with him but also has a growing résumé of his own.
Jones is no stranger to the defensive line. He’s been grinding in the trenches for years, with stops that include a 2023 stint at Oregon as a defensive analyst and a 2022 season working under Henderson with the Los Angeles Rams. Before that, he led the defensive line at Southern University from 2018 to 2020 and held the same role - along with recruiting coordinator duties - at Norfolk State in 2021.
What makes this hire especially interesting is the continuity it brings. Jones has already spent time with USC’s current defensive linemen and understands the personnel.
That familiarity likely played a role in the decision by head coach Lincoln Riley and new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson. Chemistry matters, especially when you’re building a defense from the ground up - and Jones has a particularly close connection with standout defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart, with both hailing from Louisiana.
This move is just the latest in what’s been a complete overhaul of USC’s defensive staff. It started with D’Anton Lynn leaving his post as defensive coordinator to take the same job at Penn State. Patterson, a seasoned defensive mind with a long track record, was brought in to fill that leadership role.
From there, the dominoes kept falling. USC chose not to renew the contract of secondary coach Doug Belk and instead brought in Paul Gonzalez, who has a history with Patterson from their time at TCU.
They also added Sam Carter, another Patterson disciple, to bolster the secondary. Trovon Reed, who coached the corners last season, will remain on staff in 2026.
The linebacker room has also seen a shake-up. Mike Ekeler, formerly at Nebraska, is now USC’s special teams coordinator and will also coach linebackers alongside Rob Ryan, who returns after handling that group last season. Defensive ends coach Shaun Nua is expected to be back as well, though it’s still unclear whether he’ll continue focusing on edge rushers or take on a broader defensive line role.
It’s worth noting that while programs can hire as many assistants as they want, only 10 - plus the head coach - are allowed to recruit off-campus. With USC’s staff now exceeding that number, not every assistant will be on the trail. That makes internal promotions like Jones’ all the more strategic - he knows the culture, the players, and the system, which allows for a smoother transition even if he’s not part of the off-campus recruiting contingent.
Bottom line: this isn’t just a nameplate change on an office door. It’s a calculated move by a staff that’s clearly putting a premium on continuity, familiarity, and trust - all while adapting to a new defensive identity under Patterson. Jones now gets his shot to shape the heart of USC’s defense from the inside out.