Connor Morrissette (USCFootball.com) — USC has finally hired Gary Patterson as its next defensive coordinator.
Patterson comes to USC with over 40 years of coaching experience, which includes a 22-year run as head coach at TCU. He replaces D’Anton Lynn, who left to take the defensive coordinator job at Penn State, his alma mater, earlier this month.
USC’s defense improved under Lynn, but it didn’t take the step forward in 2025 that its fans had hoped. The Trojans ranked 51st nationally in scoring (23.0 ppg.) and 65th in yards per play allowed (5.6).
The bottom line is USC has struggled defensively since Pete Carroll left for the NFL in January 2010.
Patterson went 181-79 as head coach of TCU, and he was the Horned Frogs’ defensive coordinator for three years before taking over as head coach. Additionally, Patterson has coached defensive backs and linebackers in his career. The program’s backbone was its stalwart defense.
Patterson was the defensive play caller as TCU’s head coach, and he ran a unique 4-2-5 defensive scheme that used a versatile nickelback. Having a nickel that could rush the passer, play as a hybrid linebacker and cover was ahead of its time and confused opposing offenses.
Patterson is well respected for his advanced scouting ability and attention to detail when studying opposing offenses. “You better have something new, because they know everything you’re going to do,” then Texas-Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury said of Patterson.
TCU’s defensive players were known for playing “really, really hard, being in the right positions and being fundamentally sound” under Patterson. Patterson went 0-7 against USC coach Lincoln Riley during their time in the Big 12 when Riley was the head coach or offensive coordinator at Oklahoma.
The Horned Frogs won at least 10 games in 11 seasons with Patterson in charge. Prior to his arrival on campus in 1998, TCU had just four 10-win seasons in its history. Patterson oversaw TCU’s rise from Conference USA to the Mountain West and then into the Big 12 in 2012. TCU made history in 2010 as the first team from a non-automatic qualifying conference to play in the Rose Bowl during the BCS era. Patterson’s Horned Frogs finished that season 13-0 with a 21-19 win over No. 5 Wisconsin in Pasadena.
But Patterson struggled toadapt to the rise in spread offenses at the end of his tenure at TCU. He also didn’t adjust well to the transfer era, which led to TCU administrators relieving Patterson of his duties eight games into the 2021 season, after four straight subpar campaigns.
Patterson has not coached since that 2021 season. He was a special assistant to Steve Sarkisian at Texas in 2022, then spent 2024 as a consultant at Baylor. Neither of those roles lasted more than one season.
On3’sAndy Staples likes USC’s choice: “I gave Gary Patterson the unofficial ‘Greatest Evaluator of All-Time’ award sometime last year. Turning him loose on the kind of people USC can recruit (out of high school and the portal) could be fun.”
“The story of Gary Patterson and the rise in the fortunes of the TCU football program over the last 20 years is clearly one of the most remarkable in the history of college football. We are grateful to Gary and Kelsey Patterson and appreciate everything they have meant to TCU and the Fort Worth community,” TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati said in a statement after firing Patterson in 2021. “Under his leadership, TCU has become a nationally recognized brand name in football and in collegiate athletics.”
It’s currently unclear how Patterson’s hire will impact USC’s remaining position coaches on defense. More staff changes are possible after secondary coach Doug Belk was told his contract wasn’t being renewed Tuesday, but it’s also possible USC retains every other defensive position coach from last season.
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So in addition to having an offensive genius/quarterback guru in LR, USC now has a defensive savant in G Patterson (per USC press release). How can we not get a Natty? When will we see any changes on the defensive staff?
I realize this is a USC site….but what the heck…..AP ranked 11th Illinois basketball with their best player out with a broken hand until mid February and another of their starters with a strained ankle defeats AP ranked 4th Purdue at Purdue by 6.
Hope they can get home before the snow hits.
Well Atlanta Metro escaped most of the storm. We had freezing rain, but not enough break branches or down trees. It’s sunny this morning but really cold, low twenties plus wind chill. There are still patches of ice, like the black ice I slipped on a little while ago and went flat on my back so quickly!
I don’t remember this happening to me when I lived in the South Bay for the first half of my life 🤣.
To anyone living in an area which figures to be heavily impacted by this huge winter storm, please stay safe. Good luck. May the weather gods be with you!
The lines at the grocery store today was around the block…….for the veterans……its going to snow………who knew? Hot cocoa just tastes better in weather like this……and if you like cross country skiing…….
ND number 7, Illinois number 16, Iowa number 11, USC number 21, Oregon number 3 and Ohio State number 5……Indiana 1. Michigan 17, Washington 18.
Eight BIG in top 25. ND at 7. Very few pretenders in the top 20. He is definitely a loyalist to the BIG……and
somewhat realistic. Although I do believe we should be closer to 18…..at this point it does not matter.
Notre Dame #7 ? Looking at their schedule it looks like what was most impressive is the closeness of their losses. The rest of the schedule, including a very underachieving USC team, looks like their 2026 schedule…embarrassing.
IMO, until we start beating ND again, which is of course now suddenly off the table until the CFB gods arrange a reconciliation or a reunion in the playoffs, I have a hard time derogating Irish accomplishments.
Winners talk, losers walk. Too bad Cignetti needed to remind us again.
But I did enjoy his placement of IOWA over ALA. When was the last time that happened? And we even beat the Hawkeyes. Unfortunately, we screwed the pooch vs TCU to slip back down to the other four loss also-rans. USC never makes things easy these days.
Cignetti probably placed Iowa so high because………..Indiana got out of Iowa City by the edge of a dime. The Iowa QB was injured in the 4th and a couple of lucky bounces. Of all the teams they played this year that game was the closest game of the year for them. Iowa was loaded last year but ……very similar to USC…..they have a head coach that can only do so much thinking……like an old IBM 360 with a bad cord.
The IU win over PSU at Beaver Stadium was one of the closest victories I have ever seen.
USC has to play the NITS there this season. Gonna be tough. 2026 in general’s gonna be tough. I wonder just how confident LR is about this upcoming season?
His biggest triumph might be the opening of the Bloom Football Performance Center. That’s his baby. It figures to be amazing.
PSU……47 transfers out……36 transfers in……..but he did get some talent, quite a few Iowa State folks that know his systems……….so………even if it’s his first year…….with the travel………and it will probably be a night game…….that one already looks shaky. Ohio State, Oregon, Washington at home….. shaky……Indiana at Bloomington…..forget about it. Figure a stumble at either Rutgers or Wisconsin…….
If we have learned anything these past 4- years it’s the fact Riley usually fails to maintain ball control the last few minutes of a game, especially if the score is close, where he punts to the other team and puts the game on the line to the defense & the DC. Am I exaggerating here or not? We know the DC’s under Riley so far, Grinch & Lynn were not up to the challenge in saving many of these type games so next up is Gary Patterson who has to deal with the consequences of Riley’s playcalling. Good luck… Read more »
What will USC be wearing? NCAA approves uniform patches, opening up new revenue streams ESPN (AP) — The NCAA unearthed another revenue stream Friday when Division I leaders approved patches for uniforms in a move that could generate millions to fund athletic departments that are looking for new ways to pay players. Beginning Aug. 1, Division I teams can place up to two patches of no more than 4 square inches on uniforms for regular-season games. Those are in addition to the logos already allowed for the uniform manufacturers. Rules committees for the postseason will decide how to handle… Read more »
“Patterson was the defensive play caller as TCU’s head coach, and he ran a unique 4-2-5 defensive scheme that used a versatile nickelback. Having a nickel that could rush the passer, play as a hybrid linebacker and cover was ahead of its time and confused opposing offenses.” “But Patterson struggled to adapt to the rise in spread offenses at the end of his tenure at TCU. He also didn’t adjust well to the transfer era”… I am getting flashbacks to Monte Kiffin trying to bring his Tampa 2 defense to USC. Hope I’m wrong.
I hear ya Doc, I just think this guy is probably a better coach than Riley and he may be the guy to make Riley understand some of the errors of his ways.
I would think he and Riley sat down and discussed his shortcomings as well as his attributes. With time to analyze and work at Texas and Baylor, perhaps he has changed his mind about the spread, among other things. I see Patterson bringing so much positive to the USC team, these issues about dealing with the spread are minimal, in my mind. The beauty of being a DC, he can let the HC and GM deal with the transfer issues. I really do think we will see a change in the defense, with more agression and violence.
Daddy Kiffin was the guy I swear started coaching before the forward pass was legal. His secondary was terrible the plan for other teams was to throw short passes for long gains. His legendary defense was legendary before Lane was born. He was a pity hire. But if you mention this people say, ” he was legendary. “
Monte Kiffins defenses were pro defenses…..too complex for the college crowd who didn’t have time to study the playbook all day. Also, Monte Kiffins defenses were pro defenses that couldn’t stop a mobile QB. You didn’t have many mobile QB’s in the pros back in those days. Right after the Oregon game in 2012 Monte told Lane that he was retiring after the season. Oregon gained 730 yards in that game(484 on the ground….Marcus Mariota gained 100 yards rushing himself). SC actually gained 615 yards but they couldn’t even slow down the Oregon offense. As you can see, problems with… Read more »
Connor Morrissette (USCFootball.com) — USC has finally hired Gary Patterson as its next defensive coordinator.
But Patterson struggled to adapt to the rise in spread offenses at the end of his tenure at TCU. He also didn’t adjust well to the transfer era, which led to TCU administrators relieving Patterson of his duties eight games into the 2021 season, after four straight subpar campaigns.
Sam and the Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl!
Sam has a chance to be a Rose Bowl winning QB and a Super Bowl winning QB. Very happy for him and I will be rooting for him.
Love it!!!! Go Sammy D!!!!
OK, Sam Darnold…..from the 10 inch blanket of white state…..take it……
So in addition to having an offensive genius/quarterback guru in LR, USC now has a defensive savant in G Patterson (per USC press release). How can we not get a Natty? When will we see any changes on the defensive staff?
I realize this is a USC site….but what the heck…..AP ranked 11th Illinois basketball with their best player out with a broken hand until mid February and another of their starters with a strained ankle defeats AP ranked 4th Purdue at Purdue by 6.
Hope they can get home before the snow hits.
I maintain that in Atlanta it might not be as bad as everyone thinks. I will let everyone know if I am a prescient sage or a dummy
Well Atlanta Metro escaped most of the storm. We had freezing rain, but not enough break branches or down trees. It’s sunny this morning but really cold, low twenties plus wind chill. There are still patches of ice, like the black ice I slipped on a little while ago and went flat on my back so quickly!
I don’t remember this happening to me when I lived in the South Bay for the first half of my life 🤣.
Trees do not like ice storms due to the weight on their branches will take the whole tree down. It can take half of all trees in a town.
To anyone living in an area which figures to be heavily impacted by this huge winter storm, please stay safe. Good luck. May the weather gods be with you!
The lines at the grocery store today was around the block…….for the veterans……its going to snow………who knew? Hot cocoa just tastes better in weather like this……and if you like cross country skiing…….
More important than Gary Patterson is the absolute necessity of Chad Bowden delivering another top shelf recruiting class in 2027.
That is the top priority and the main reason we hired Chad Bowden as the GM. I expect him to deliver like he did with the 2026 class.
To be determined….
Curt Cignetti Releases His Final Coaches’ Poll Top 25 Ballot
ND number 7, Illinois number 16, Iowa number 11, USC number 21, Oregon number 3 and Ohio State number 5……Indiana 1. Michigan 17, Washington 18.
Eight BIG in top 25. ND at 7. Very few pretenders in the top 20. He is definitely a loyalist to the BIG……and
somewhat realistic. Although I do believe we should be closer to 18…..at this point it does not matter.
Notre Dame #7 ? Looking at their schedule it looks like what was most impressive is the closeness of their losses. The rest of the schedule, including a very underachieving USC team, looks like their 2026 schedule…embarrassing.
IMO, until we start beating ND again, which is of course now suddenly off the table until the CFB gods arrange a reconciliation or a reunion in the playoffs, I have a hard time derogating Irish accomplishments.
Winners talk, losers walk. Too bad Cignetti needed to remind us again.
But I did enjoy his placement of IOWA over ALA. When was the last time that happened? And we even beat the Hawkeyes. Unfortunately, we screwed the pooch vs TCU to slip back down to the other four loss also-rans. USC never makes things easy these days.
Cignetti probably placed Iowa so high because………..Indiana got out of Iowa City by the edge of a dime. The Iowa QB was injured in the 4th and a couple of lucky bounces. Of all the teams they played this year that game was the closest game of the year for them. Iowa was loaded last year but ……very similar to USC…..they have a head coach that can only do so much thinking……like an old IBM 360 with a bad cord.
The IU win over PSU at Beaver Stadium was one of the closest victories I have ever seen.
USC has to play the NITS there this season. Gonna be tough. 2026 in general’s gonna be tough. I wonder just how confident LR is about this upcoming season?
His biggest triumph might be the opening of the Bloom Football Performance Center. That’s his baby. It figures to be amazing.
PSU……47 transfers out……36 transfers in……..but he did get some talent, quite a few Iowa State folks that know his systems……….so………even if it’s his first year…….with the travel………and it will probably be a night game…….that one already looks shaky. Ohio State, Oregon, Washington at home….. shaky……Indiana at Bloomington…..forget about it. Figure a stumble at either Rutgers or Wisconsin…….
If we have learned anything these past 4- years it’s the fact Riley usually fails to maintain ball control the last few minutes of a game, especially if the score is close, where he punts to the other team and puts the game on the line to the defense & the DC. Am I exaggerating here or not? We know the DC’s under Riley so far, Grinch & Lynn were not up to the challenge in saving many of these type games so next up is Gary Patterson who has to deal with the consequences of Riley’s playcalling. Good luck… Read more »
What will USC be wearing? NCAA approves uniform patches, opening up new revenue streams ESPN (AP) — The NCAA unearthed another revenue stream Friday when Division I leaders approved patches for uniforms in a move that could generate millions to fund athletic departments that are looking for new ways to pay players. Beginning Aug. 1, Division I teams can place up to two patches of no more than 4 square inches on uniforms for regular-season games. Those are in addition to the logos already allowed for the uniform manufacturers. Rules committees for the postseason will decide how to handle… Read more »
Oh brother……please……no Walmart or Jiffy lube patches. I’ll accept McDonalds……LOL.
I’m pulling for Trader Joe’s! Great market.
How about a Hooters patch?
OK to both excellent suggestions.
Anything at Roto Rooter level is going to far.😂
Just like NASCAR and F1 teams
Great quote I heard today from Sean McVay:
“Excuses are tools of the incompetent.”
“Patterson was the defensive play caller as TCU’s head coach, and he ran a unique 4-2-5 defensive scheme that used a versatile nickelback. Having a nickel that could rush the passer, play as a hybrid linebacker and cover was ahead of its time and confused opposing offenses.” “But Patterson struggled to adapt to the rise in spread offenses at the end of his tenure at TCU. He also didn’t adjust well to the transfer era”… I am getting flashbacks to Monte Kiffin trying to bring his Tampa 2 defense to USC. Hope I’m wrong.
Boy I hope you are wrong, GT. But if this was LR’s hire, then it is probably no bueno.
Riley has earned my eternal skepticism.
I hear ya Doc, I just think this guy is probably a better coach than Riley and he may be the guy to make Riley understand some of the errors of his ways.
I would think he and Riley sat down and discussed his shortcomings as well as his attributes. With time to analyze and work at Texas and Baylor, perhaps he has changed his mind about the spread, among other things. I see Patterson bringing so much positive to the USC team, these issues about dealing with the spread are minimal, in my mind. The beauty of being a DC, he can let the HC and GM deal with the transfer issues. I really do think we will see a change in the defense, with more agression and violence.
Daddy Kiffin was the guy I swear started coaching before the forward pass was legal. His secondary was terrible the plan for other teams was to throw short passes for long gains. His legendary defense was legendary before Lane was born. He was a pity hire. But if you mention this people say, ” he was legendary. “
Monte Kiffins defenses were pro defenses…..too complex for the college crowd who didn’t have time to study the playbook all day. Also, Monte Kiffins defenses were pro defenses that couldn’t stop a mobile QB. You didn’t have many mobile QB’s in the pros back in those days. Right after the Oregon game in 2012 Monte told Lane that he was retiring after the season. Oregon gained 730 yards in that game(484 on the ground….Marcus Mariota gained 100 yards rushing himself). SC actually gained 615 yards but they couldn’t even slow down the Oregon offense. As you can see, problems with… Read more »