BREAKING: Gary Patterson Named USC Football Defensive Coordinator

LOS ANGELES, CA- USC head coach Lincoln Riley has named Gary Patterson the Trojans’ new defensive coordinator.

Patterson, a 2026 College Football Hall of Fame inductee and one of the most respected defensive minds in college football, brings extensive experience and proven success to the USC program.

Patterson served as head coach at TCU for 21 seasons (2001–21), compiling a 181-79 record and becoming the winningest coach in program history. He earned 22 national coach of the year awards, including Associated Press National Coach of the Year recognition in 2009 and 2014.

During his tenure, TCU won six conference championships (one in Conference USA, four in the Mountain West, and a shared Big 12 title in 2014) and recorded 11 seasons with at least 10 victories. The Horned Frogs appeared in 17 bowl games under Patterson, posting an 11-6 record, and secured three BCS berths, including a Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin following a perfect 13-0 season in 2010.

Patterson’s defenses ranked No. 1 nationally in total defense five times (2000, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010), including three consecutive years from 2008–10 — a rare accomplishment shared by only two other programs in NCAA history.

After leaving TCU in 2021, Patterson served as a special assistant at Texas in 2022, where the Longhorns’ defense improved dramatically, jumping from 99th to 29th nationally in points allowed. He later worked as a senior strategic consultant at Baylor.

Patterson’s history with USC dates back to 1998 when, as TCU’s defensive coordinator, his 4-2-5 scheme limited the Trojans to minus-23 rushing yards in the Sun Bowl — a program record low at the time.

Patterson and his wife, Kelsey, have three sons: Josh, Cade, and Blake.

The hiring is contingent upon completion of a standard university background screening.

With Patterson joining the staff, USC adds a proven defensive architect as the program continues its pursuit of Big Ten and national success