LOS ANGELES—Gary Patterson, a decorated former Power Four head coach and defensive innovator, has been named USC’s new defensive coordinator, head coach Lincoln Riley announced today (Jan. 23).
“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.”
Patterson, who was recently named to the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class, was the head coach at TCU for 21 seasons (2001-21). He was the Horned Frogs all-time winningest head coach with 181 victories (.696) and won 22 national coach of the year honors and four conference coach of the year honors throughout that time. In 2009 and 2014, he was recognized as the National Coach of the Year by the Associated Press, AFCA, FWAA and Walter Camp. He finished his tenure in Fort Worth with a 181-79 record, including an undefeated 13-0 season in 2010 that was capped by a Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin.
TCU notched six conference championships under Patterson’s tutelage: Conference USA in 2002, Mountain West in 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and one share of the Big 12 title in 2014, with TCU being the first team left out of the initial four-team College Football Playoff. His teams won at least 10 games in 11 different seasons with 11 AP Top 25 finishes, with seven of those being AP Top 10 finishes, including No. 2 in 2010 and No. 3 in 2014. Prior to his arrival in Fort Worth in 1998, TCU had just four 10-win seasons in its history. Patterson recorded a 7-3 mark against Texas in the Big 12.
Patterson led TCU to 17 bowl appearances during his tenure, and he went 11-6 in those bowls. He earned BCS berths three times: the 2009 Fiesta Bowl, the 2010 Rose Bowl and the 2014 Peach Bowl. During his 24 years at TCU, including three seasons as defensive coordinator (1998-00), Patterson helped the Horned Frogs to earn 20 bowl trips, and TCU was 13-6 in bowl games with him on its coaching staff. Before the Patterson era, the Horned Frogs had previously been to a total of 17 bowl games between 1896 and his first season as head coach and had only four bowl wins in its history.
In 21 seasons as a head coach, Patterson coached 90 First Team All-Conference selections, 20 First Team All-Americans, 22 Freshman All-Americans, three Academic All-American selections and a Rhodes Scholar. As TCU’s head coach, Patterson had 49 players drafted by the NFL.
Patterson, a defensive savant, helped TCU to lead the nation in total defense five times (2000, 2002, 2008, 2009 and 2010). From 2008-10, TCU became just the third program in NCAA history to lead the nation in total defense in three consecutive seasons.
Prior to parting ways with TCU, Patterson was the second-longest tenured active head coach in the FBS, trailing only Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz, who took over as head coach in 1999.
Patterson first arrived at TCU in 1998 as the defensive coordinator on coach Dennis Franchione’s staff. In his first season as defensive coordinator, the Frogs beat Iowa State, Vanderbilt and No. 23-ranked Air Force. TCU recorded a winning season with six victories and an invitation to the Sun Bowl, where Patterson’s 4-2-5 defense held USC to minus-23 rushing yards, a record-low for both the Sun Bowl and the Trojan program. It was TCU’s first bowl win in 42 seasons. The Horned Frogs scored a school-record six defensive touchdowns and allowed only 19.6 points per game, the fewest points per game in over 30 years. It was accomplished by a team that was 1-10 the previous season.
In 1999, TCU finished as co-champions of the Western Athletic Conference and upended No. 20 East Carolina in the Mobile Alabama Bowl for its eighth win of the year, the most by a Frog team in 15 seasons.
A year later in 2000, TCU started ranked in the top 25, climbing as high as No. 9 and winning 10 games and another WAC championship. Patterson’s defense was statistically the nation’s best. The Horned Frogs allowed only 245.0 total yards and 9.6 points per game, ranking first in the nation in both categories. Patterson was a finalist for the Frank Broyles National Assistant Coach of the Year Award. He took over as the head coach of TCU before the 2000 Mobile Alabama Bowl after Dennis Franchione left for Alabama.
In his first official season as head coach, Patterson’s Horned Frogs went 6-6 and 4-3 in conference play. The Frogs fell 9-28 to Texas A&M in the 2001 GalleryFurniture.com Bowl and had one All-Conference first teamer.
Patterson’s 10-2 record and conference championship in the 2002 season earned him Conference USA Coach of the Year accolades. TCU defeated No. 23 Colorado State in the 2001 AXA Liberty Bowl. The Horned Frogs finished the season ranked 22nd in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll and 23rd in the AP Poll. TCU had five All-Conference first teamers as well as the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, Lamarcus McDonald, and the Conference Freshman of the Year, Lonta Hobbs.
In the 2003 campaign, TCU climbed as high as sixth in the BCS rankings, the highest ranking at that time for a school from a non-automatic qualifying conference. Under Patterson’s guidance, the Horned Frogs got off to a 10-0 start after opening the season ranked 25th in the AP Poll. They finished the season 11-2 and ranked in the top 25 for the second year in a row, the first time that had happened at TCU since the 1950s. He was a finalist for both the Eddie Robinson and Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Awards. The Frogs fell 31-34 to Boise State in the 2003 Fort Worth Bowl. TCU had four All-Conference first teamers and the Conference Special Teams Player of the Year, Nick Browne.
In 2004, the Horned Frogs went 5-6 and 3-5 in conference play. TCU had three All-Conference first teamers.
In TCU’s first season in the Mountain West Conference in 2005, Patterson earned Mountain West Coach of the Year honors as he led the Horned Frogs to the conference championship. It was also TCU’s first outright conference championship since 1958. The Horned Frogs posted an 11-1 record. It was just the fourth 11-win season in school history and the second in three years. TCU also recorded its first undefeated league mark (8-0) dating back to 1938. The Horned Frogs opened and closed the 2005 season with victories over Big 12 teams. TCU began the season with a 17-10 victory at No. 5 Oklahoma. It was TCU’s first win against an opponent ranked that high since a 6-0 victory over No. 1 Texas in 1961. Following a 27-24 EV1.net Houston Bowl win over Iowa State, Patterson saw TCU climb to ninth in the USA Today Poll and 11th in the AP Poll. It was TCU’s highest season-ending ranking since 1959. TCU had six All-Mountain West first teamers and the Freshman of the Year, Aaron Brown.
Patterson’s success in 2005 was achieved while playing a total of 21 redshirt or true freshmen. The 2005 Horned Frog defense led the nation in turnover margin (+21), interceptions (26) and takeaways (40). The offense set a single-season school record with 50 touchdowns while its 398 points scored ranked second all-time at TCU.
An 11-2 record in 2006 included wins over Big 12 opponents Baylor and Texas Tech as well as a 37-7 victory over No. 25 Northern Illinois in the Poinsettia Bowl. The Horned Frogs’ defense ranked second nationally in run defense (60.8 yards per game) and total defense (234.9 yards per game) while placing third in scoring defense (12.3 points per game). TCU won its last eight games by an average margin of 24.4 points. During that stretch, the TCU defense allowed per game marks of 10.8 points, 59.6 yards rushing and 185.1 in total offense. TCU had six All-Mountain West first teamers.
The Horned Frogs went 8-5 and 4-4 in conference play in 2007. TCU had two All-Conference first teamers and defeated Houston 20-13 in the 2007 Texas Bowl.
In 2008, Patterson guided TCU to an 11-2 record and a No. 7 ranking in the final AP and USA Today Polls. It was the Horned Frogs’ highest season-ending appearance in the polls since 1959. Included in the win total were victories over then-undefeated, top 10 teams BYU and Boise State. It was the first time since 1961 that TCU beat two top 10 opponents in the same season. TCU led the nation in total defense (217.8 yards per game) in 2008 for the third time in nine seasons. The No. 11 Frogs defeated No. 9 Boise State 17-16 in the 2008 Poinsettia Bowl. TCU had six All-Mountain West first teamers and the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, Jerry Hughes.
The 2009 campaign saw Patterson lead TCU to a 12-1 record, a Mountain West Championship, a No. 6 ranking and a Fiesta Bowl appearance. The No. 6 spot in the polls was TCU’s highest season-ending ranking since 1955, when it also ranked sixth. The Horned Frogs had their first undefeated regular season since their 1938 national championship campaign. Despite losing seven starters to graduation, including three to the NFL from the 2008 team’s No. 1 defense, the Horned Frogs’ defense once again led the nation in 2009 by allowing just 239.7 yards per game. TCU and Florida were the only schools in 2009 to rank in the top 10 nationally in total offense and defense. TCU also ranked third in run defense and sixth in pass defense. The Frogs fell 10-17 to No. 6 Boise State in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl. TCU had nine All-Mountain West first teamers as well as the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, Jerry Hughes, Offensive Player of the Year, Andy Dalton, and Special Teams Player of the Year, Jeremy Kerley.
After the 2009 season, Patterson was named National Coach of the Year by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Associated Press, AFCA and Sporting News while also receiving the Bobby Dodd Award, Eddie Robinson Award, Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award, George Munger Award and Woody Hayes Award.
In 2010, Patterson guided the Horned Frogs to an undefeated season, a Mountain West Championship, a 2011 Rose Bowl victory over No. 5 Wisconsin and finished No. 3 in the BCS rankings. TCU finished second in the final polls with a 13-0 record, its first perfect campaign since winning the national championship in 1938. TCU also led the nation in total defense. Patterson was named American Football Monthly’s 2010 Coach of the Year as he led TCU to its second straight BCS game. Other honors for Patterson included the Exchange Club of Fort Worth recognizing him as Fort Worth’s Outstanding Citizen for 2010, while the National Football Foundation’s Gridiron Club of Dallas selected him for its 2011 Distinguished Texan Award. Patterson also received the 2010 TCU Chancellor’s Staff Award for Outstanding Service. TCU had nine All-Mountain West first teamers as well as the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, Tank Cardner, Offensive Player of the Year, Andy Dalton, and Special Teams Player of the Year, Jeremy Kerley.
Prior to the 2011 season, Patterson was named the nation’s top coach by Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine. Although he lost 26 seniors to graduation off his Rose Bowl championship team, Patterson still led a 2011 TCU squad to a third consecutive Mountain West championship. It was the first time the Horned Frogs won a conference title three seasons in a row. TCU was also the first team in Mountain West history to win the league championship in three consecutive campaigns. The 2011 campaign saw TCU record its fourth straight 11-win season and become the only program nationally to reach 11 victories six times in a seven-year span (2005-11). No. 16 TCU defeated Louisiana Tech 31-24 in the 2011 Poinsettia Bowl. TCU had six All-Mountain West first teamers as well as the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, Tank Cardner and Special Teams Player of the Year, Greg McCoy.
In 2012, the Horned Frogs went 7-6 in its debut season in the Big 12 and came with TCU fielding one of the youngest teams in the country. TCU tied for the national lead in most true freshmen played (16) as well as total freshmen (28) seeing the field. Nearly 70 percent of Horned Frogs who received playing time in 2012 were either freshmen or sophomores. TCU led the Big 12 in total defense with just one senior on its entire defensive depth chart. The Frogs fell 16-17 to Michigan State in the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. TCU had three All-Big 12 first teamers as well as the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, Devonte Fields.
In 2013, the Horned Frogs went 4-8 and 2-7 in conference play. TCU had one All-Big 12 first teamer as well as the co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Jason Verrett.
In 2014, TCU went 12-1 and was the final team out from the first-ever College Football Playoff. The No. 6 Horned Frogs then defeated No. 9 Ole Miss 42-3 in the 2014 Peach Bowl. Patterson received 10 national coach of the year honors in 2014. He was honored by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, AFCA, Associated Press, Home Depot, ESPN.com, CBSSports.com and Scout.com. He also received the Eddie Robinson Award, Paul “Bear” Bryant Award and Woody Hayes Award. TCU had four All-Big 12 first teamers as well as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Trevone Boykin and Defensive Player of the Year, Paul Dawson.
Despite having 20 starters sidelined at different points throughout the season and playing a total of 30 freshmen, which ranked second nationally, TCU posted an 11-2 record in 2015. The season culminated with a 47-41 triple-overtime victory over Oregon in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Patterson received honorable mention Big 12 Coach of the Year recognition, and TCU had five All-Big 12 first teamers.
The Frogs went 6-7 and 4-5 in conference play in 2016, and TCU had two All-Big 12 first teamers.
In 2017, the Frogs finished ninth in the final AP Poll after going 11-3 and beating No. 15 Stanford 39-37 in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Patterson received honorable mention Big 12 Coach of the Year recognition in 2017. TCU had six All-Big 12 first teamers as well as the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year, Ben Banogu, Co-Offensive Freshman of the Year, Jalen Reagor, and Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year, Ross Blacklock.
The 2018 season was injury-plagued for the Frogs. TCU finished 7-6 overall and 4-5 in conference play. The Frogs defeated California 10-7 in an overtime victory in the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl. TCU had two All-Big 12 first teamers.
From 2019-2021, Patterson went 14-16 overall and 9-14 in Big 12 play before resigning from TCU in October of 2021. TCU had 10 All-Big 12 first teamers throughout that time, as well as the 2019 Defensive Freshman of the Year, Ar’Darius Washington, and 2020 Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year, Khari Coleman.
Prior to his arrival in Fort Worth, Patterson spent two seasons (1996-97) as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at New Mexico.
Patterson also made coaching stops at UC Davis (defensive coordinator, 1986), Cal Lutheran (defensive coordinator, 1987), Pittsburg (Kan.) State (linebackers, 1988), Sonoma State (defensive coordinator, 1989-91), the Oregon Lightning Bolts (arena football, 1992), Utah State (secondary, 1992-94) and Navy (secondary, 1995).
Patterson’s defensive acumen dates back to his own playing days at Kansas State, where he played strong safety and outside linebacker for the Wildcats in 1980 and 1981. He served as a student assistant in 1982 and received his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1983. He took the linebacker coaching position at Tennessee Tech while earning a master’s degree in educational administration in 1984.
Most recently, Patterson held multiple advising roles in the Big 12.
Prior to the 2024 season, Patterson was a senior level strategic consultant for Baylor under head coach Dave Aranda after taking a year off from coaching. In 2022, he served as a special assistant to head coach Steve Sarkisian at Texas. Texas’s defense significantly improved in 2022 during the regular season. The Longhorns allowed 21.2 points per game (No. 29 in the nation), improving from 31.1 points per game (No. 99) in 2021. Additionally, Texas’s yards per play allowed improved from 6.03 (No. 102 in the nation) in 2021 to 4.9 (No. 19 in the nation) in 2022.
Patterson and his wife, Kelsey, have three sons: Josh, Cade and Blake.
Patterson’s hiring is contingent upon completion of a successful University background screening.
