New USC defensive coordinator Gary Patterson takes questions from the media during a news conference. He spent the previous two seasons as a leading voice on USC’s defensive staff. He left Baylor to join USC’s staff and is expected to lead the Trojans entire secondary. Two defensive analysts were also promoted to full-time roles, as Skyler Jones, in his third season on staff, will coach defensive tackles and AJ Howard, entering his second, will coach outside linebackers. That makes nine coaches on USC’s defensive staff alone, three more than it employed last season.

Source: Los Angeles Times February 14, 2026 18:02 UTC