After D’Anton Lynn departed for Penn State, the Trojans’ HC Lincoln Riley made a statement by hiring Gary Patterson on Friday. And now Riley is vouching for his new defensive coordinator and making it clear that Patterson is here to set the tone and elevate a defense that showed some serious progress under Lynn.

“We are excited to welcome Gary and his family to USC,” said Riley. “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. His impact will be immediate, elevating our defense and strengthening the culture we’ve built. We’re proud to welcome him to the Trojan Family.”

Riley has now gone from Alex Grinch to D’Anton Lynn and now to a seasoned college veteran in Patterson, who has decades of defensive credibility. Patterson led the Horned Frogs to six conference titles, 11 seasons with at least 10 victories, and seven AP Top 10 finishes during his career at TCU, making him the program’s all-time winningest head coach (181–79).

His defenses led the nation in total defense five times and became just the third program in NCAA history to finish No. 1 nationally in total defense three straight seasons (2008–10). Under him, TCU produced 20 First Team All-Americans, 49 NFL Draft picks, and 17 bowl appearances, including three BCS berths and a historic 13–0 season capped by a Rose Bowl win in 2010. And that level of defensive pedigree is exactly why USC isn’t bringing him in to deliver results now.

Why 2026 is a defining season for Lincoln Riley

For Lincoln Riley and USC, the 2026 campaign seems like a turning point. After a 9–4 finish in 2025 that included three Big Ten road losses and an Alamo Bowl defeat to TCU, the margin for patience in Los Angeles is thin. Executing is now more important than “building” or “transitioning.” With QB Jayden Maiava back, several key starters returning, and the No. 1-ranked 2026 recruiting class arriving on campus, expectations have officially shifted to playoff-or-bust territory.

According to ESPN’s Bill Connelly’s early 2026 CFP projections, the Trojans are slotted as the No. 5 seed, hosting a first-round playoff game at the Coliseum against Hawaii. ESPN projects Indiana, the defending national champions, to win the Big Ten and earn the No. 1 seed, placing USC as the league’s second-highest-ranked team and the top at-large contender.

In that bracket, USC defeats Hawaii before running into its old rival, Notre Dame, in the quarterfinals. Given the rivalry won’t be played during the regular season in 2026, a CPF meeting between the Trojans and Fighting Irish would be must-watch chaos even if it ends in heartbreak for USC.

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Well, losing to Notre Dame yet again would sting. For a Riley-era program that has been tested in competition but never really succeeded, making the CFP at all would be a major leap forward. Riley’s first season, when Caleb Williams’ Trojans came up short against Utah, is the closest USC has ever been.

USC’s path won’t be easy in the Big Ten, which features Oregon, Ohio State, Indiana, and many other potential contenders. But the Trojans have a case given Maiava’s recent 3,700-yard season, a strong roster, and a flexible schedule.