With the USC Trojans wrapping up the season with a 9-4 record, Lincoln Riley enters the ‘prove it’ phase. So, the head coach is now busy fixing the loopholes. Going by the 2025 season report card, they fared average when it came to the Trojans’ defense. Thus, Riley makes the foundational changes, raiding the NFL to hire a defensive coach. 

“USC is expected to name AJ Howard as outside linebackers coach, sources tell @CBSSports,” reported national college football senior reporter Matt Zenitz.

AJ Howard had picked up a reputation as a standout NFL defender. He logged time across multiple NFL locker rooms, including Arizona, New York, and Baltimore, among others. Finally, his first coaching gig was as a graduate assistant under Scott Satterfield at Louisville in 2020. His coaching streak equally catches attention.

Riley’s latest hire spent 2021 and 2022 as a Southeast area scout for the New England Patriots. Then came his stint at Appalachian State as the outside linebackers’ coach. What USP does Howard bring to Riley’s program as a coach?

His work with App State’s linebackers group paid off fast. Under his guidance, true freshman Nate Johnson exploded onto the scene with 7.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. This immediately earned him Freshman All-American recognition, and he finished the regular season tied atop the FBS freshman sack leaderboard.

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Howard’s credit here lies in the fact that he trusted a true freshman to rush freely. This confidence often pays off when the games tighten late. How will the coach fit in Riley’s program?

The Trojans allowed about 23.0 points per game, placing them roughly around mid-tier nationally, around 50th, among the 136 FBS teams in 2025. Riley’s linebacker room was young in 2025. But that investment in youth sets the stage for a breakout season ahead.

USC brings back some real pieces at linebacker in 2026, led by Desman Stephens II, Jadyn Walker, and Elijah Newby. Stephens was the tone-setter for the Trojans’ defense in 2025, stacking 89 total tackles and a forced fumble. With Eric Gentry leaving, the runway is ready for Walker and Newby to take over. The duo made their case early, stacking 43 total tackles and a sack in front of Riley.

While the Trojans already found a coach to fill the outside linebackers’ spot, the Georgia Bulldogs are still trying their luck. The position is vacant in Athens as outside linebackers coach Chiedra Uzo-Diribe took an NFL leap to the Dallas Cowboys. 

Besides Howard, there are two more new coaches that Riley brought in for the 2026 season.

Lincoln Riley reloads the defensive staff with two coaches

Ever since defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn left USC, Riley has come up with an array of staff changes. The head coach hired former Nebraska special teams coach Mike Ekeler. However, at USC, he will be serving as the linebackers’ coach. 

If USC is serious about making a CFP run, Riley knows that the middle field issues for stretches need to be fixed. But what made him count as Ekeler as the problem solver? During his run as Tennessee’s linebackers coach from 2021-24, he churned out a First Team All-SEC outside linebacker in each of his final three seasons.

While revamping his defense staff, Riley did not forget to add depth to their special teams. He once more raided the Nebraska staff and brought in their former graduate assistant Noah Knoell as a special teams assistant. Even as the head coach hits reset, one lingering dream keeps playing on loop.

“I think their desire to win championships at a high level, and to do it at SC together, was really kind of what bonded this group from the beginning,” said the head coach.

The last time USC was lucky in the Natty race was in 2004. With the best of the coaching minds now in the Trojans, can Lincoln Riley break the championship drought?