Lincoln Riley
Head coach
Fifth season at USC, under pressure to convert elite recruiting into a Big Ten title challenge.
Big Ten · Los Angeles, California
USC Football Coaching Staff 2026
Head coach and coordinators
2026 record5-1
Coaching staff
USC coaches
Lincoln Riley enters a fifth season with a new defensive coordinator and continuity on offense.
Leadership
Offense
Luke Huard
Offensive coordinator
Second season in the role.
Defense
Gary Patterson
Defensive coordinator
First season, replacing D'Anton Lynn, who left for Penn State.
Staff details reflect the 2026 season as announced by the program. Rosters move through the transfer portal year-round, so check the official program site for the definitive list.
Staff coverage
USC listed coaching roles
This profile lists 3 staff members for USC. Responsibilities are grouped as follows: Defense: 1; Leadership: 1; Offense: 1.
Titles describe the published staff listing. They do not establish who calls plays or whether every support role is included.
FAQ
USC football coaching staff FAQs
Who is the head coach of USC?
Lincoln Riley is listed as head coach in the team profile reviewed on 2026-09-01.
Does this page list the entire football staff?
It contains 3 published staff entries. Recruiting, operations and other support roles may not be included; the page does not claim a complete staff directory.
Who is USC's offensive coordinator?
Luke Huard, who also coaches quarterbacks and enters his second season in the role, working alongside assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator Dennis Simmons, who also coaches wide receivers.
Who is USC's defensive coordinator?
Gary Patterson, in his first season at USC after a long career as a defensive-minded head coach, most notably at TCU. His hire was the centerpiece of the offseason defensive rebuild.
How long has Lincoln Riley been USC's coach?
Since 2022, when he left Oklahoma for USC. He is entering his fifth season and has taken the program to a Big Ten Championship Game appearance, though a national title remains outstanding.
Who is USC's general manager?
Chad Bowden, who oversees roster construction and recruiting strategy as part of the football operations staff Riley has built out, working alongside assistant general manager Dre Brown.
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