USC made a big time hire for defensive coordinator, employing former longtime TCU head coach Gary Patterson.
Patterson has one of the most prestigious defensive resumes in this century. Before becoming TCU’s head coach, he was the Horned Frogs’ defensive coordinator from 1998-2000. The winningest coach in TCU history, he led the team from 2000 to 2021, posting a 181-79 record in his 21 seasons.
Patterson turned TCU into a solid team, which was headlined by his 2010 season where the Horned Frogs went 13-0 and won the Rose Bowl over Wisconsin. In the previous season, the team also posted an undefeated regular season record but was ousted in the Fiesta Bowl by Boise State. TCU won six conference championships and 11 bowl games under Patterson’s tenure and went from competing in the C-USA to the Mountain West to the Big 12. His impact was recognized as he was recently awarded the Davey O’Brien Legends Award to honor the mark that he’s left on football.
Patterson will replace D’Anton Lynn, who left USC to be the defensive coordinator of his alma mater, Penn State.
Head coach Lincoln Riley had nothing but high praise for Gary Patterson.
“As a Hall of Fame coach, who is one of the game’s most highly regarded defensive minds, he brings a wealth of success and experience to our program,” Riley said in a press release.
Last season, USC’s defense gave up 23 points per game and just over 350 yards per game. It was a step upf rom Alex Grinch’s tenure as defensive coordinator, but there was still room for improvement. The defense is also losing several key contributors this year, including linebacker Eric Gentry and safety Kamari Ramsey.
USC does have the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, and it’s a perfect building block for Patterson to work with.
He is a proven defensive mastermind. Trojan fans will have to wait and see if bringing his defensive scheme to the Coliseum will match well with Riley’s offensive genius to build a National Championship contending team.