New USC football defensive coordinator Gary Patterson gives the "V for Victory" sign during a press conference at the John McKay Center Wednesday, January 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.LOS ANGELES -- "The time is now." It was a lengthy process, but the Trojans formally announced on January 23 that they had hired longtime TCU head coach, Gary Patterson, to lead the defense. Patterson also added that part of the reason he took USC's vacant defensive coordinator position was partly due to the Trojans 2026 season slate. AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementSince landing in Southern California on Friday, coach Patterson has been hard at work, watching film from seven in the morning to eight at night, he said. “Our goal is to teach the defense to try to get to the level the offense has played here," Patterson stated.