After USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn headed towards Penn State, the Trojans are looking for a new face. For a while, Texas’ former DC, Pete Kwiatkowski, appeared as a potential candidate. However, Stanford’s increasing interest in him drowned those hopes. Now, reports suggest that a former TCU icon and Hall of Fame inductee is reportedly gaining traction as the new DC.

On Sunday, On3 reported that Gary Patterson has been in communication with the Trojans regarding the open defensive coordinator job. It’s been a while since Patterson’s name surfaced in connection with the job. Chatter has it that he was also on campus last week and had an interview for the job.

Lynn had served as the defensive coordinator for two seasons and brought a successful turnaround to the Trojans’ defense. A unit that ranked No. 121 in scoring defense climbed up to No. 56. That, too, within one season. In the 2025 campaign, the scoring defense further improved, ranking No. 48. It will naturally be challenging to replace him. However, Patterson’s genius promises potential.

Known for his 4-2-5 defensive playbook, Patterson brings “defensive genius” and boasts ample experience on the sidelines. He coached the Horned Frogs from 2000 to 2021 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Before his celebrated 21-year-long head coaching stint with TCU, he served as the defensive coordinator, bringing solid expertise to the position.

While the Trojans’ defense has improved, the secondary has faced challenges all season. Prophet Brown, Alex Graham, and Kamari Ramsey’s injuries stretched the secondary thin. Eventually, the opposing offense exploited that gap, scoring six completions of 40+ yards and four of 50+ yards.

By mid-season, USC’s defensive stop rate (the percentage of drives that do not end in points) was ranked No. 61 nationally at 62.3%, culminating in losses against Illinois, Notre Dame, and Oregon. However, if Patterson becomes the new DC, the Trojans can look towards a bright future.

“Best way to stop the run was to have the ability to be able to get one more guy in the box than you can block, ” Patterson shared his philosophy during his time at TCU. “But without play, it’s man on both sides, so quarterbacks just didn’t have that option and the Blitz characteristic.”

According to speculations, Cincinnati Bengals’ Al Golden, the man who built the celebrated Notre Dame defense, can also help plug the Trojans’ defensive issues. He has already worked with USC GM Chad Bowden in South Bend and can help bolster the Trojans’ defense.

It’s been around a while, since Lynn left the campus to work with his alma mater, Penn State, under Matt Campbell. Now, questions have resurfaced regarding USC’s delay in hiring a new DC.

Behind USC Trojans’ search for a new DC

Locked On USC’s Marc Kulkin points to three factors behind why USC’s search for a defensive coordinator is taking longer than expected: financial considerations, the level of booster backing, and the possibility of an internal promotion.

” I’ve been hearing from various sources that some boosters they’re starting to ask some questions,” Kulkin shares on Jan 6. “Instead of writing the checks, especially after watching USC’s defense get pushed around in 2025. And then watching D’Anton Lynn kind of walk out the door, they’re like, “What’s going on here? Before I sign this check, talk to me.”

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Secondly, Riley may be looking for a “Yes Man, with a resume” who won’t challenge his first-world view. The last season could be internal promotions. Freshman DE Jahkeem Stewart is already rooting for defensive line coach Eric Henderson as full-time defensive coordinator for the 2026 season.