Gary Patterson serves as Defensive Coordinator for University of Southern California's Football program in Los Angeles. The USC source profile places this role in context by noting Gary Patterson, a decorated former Power Four head coach and defensive innovator, enters his first season as USC's defensive coordinator in 2026. 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).
The same profile adds more background on Patterson's coaching path and competitive experience. 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. 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. For the ICDB record, that background gives readers a fuller picture of the experience Gary Patterson brings to the Football staff.
