The USC Trojans football program continues to make waves under head coach Lincoln Riley. In the latest move to strengthen his coaching staff, Riley has brought in longtime NFL assistant Rob Ryan as the new assistant head coach for defense and linebackers coach.
Defensive Mastermind Joins USC
Rob Ryan, the son of legendary NFL coach Buddy Ryan and twin brother of former NFL head coach Rex Ryan, brings an impressive resume to USC. With over 35 years of coaching experience, including 24 seasons in the NFL, Ryan is poised to make an immediate impact on the Trojans’ defense.
“Rob Ryan is one of the most accomplished defensive coaches in NFL history. With over two decades of NFL experience, he will immediately bolster our staff as we continue our climb here at USC.”
– USC head coach Lincoln Riley
A Coaching Legacy
Throughout his illustrious career, Rob Ryan has coached some of the NFL’s top players, including numerous Hall of Famers and All-Pro selections. His defensive prowess has been on display with nine different NFL teams, where he served as either the defensive coordinator or a defensive position coach.
One of Ryan’s most notable achievements came during his tenure with the New England Patriots. As the team’s linebackers coach, he played a crucial role in the Patriots’ first two Super Bowl victories under head coach Bill Belichick during the 2001-02 and 2003-04 seasons.
Proven Track Record in College Football
While Ryan’s most recent coaching experience has been in the NFL, he is no stranger to the college game. His last stint in college football was as the defensive coordinator for Oklahoma State in 1999. During his time with the Cowboys, Ryan orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for a defense that had struggled mightily the year before his arrival.
- In Ryan’s first season as defensive coordinator, Oklahoma State allowed just 302.7 yards per game, a significant improvement from the 400+ yards per game they had given up the previous year.
- Under Ryan’s leadership, the Cowboys’ defense ranked among the top 20 in the nation that season.
Prior to his success at Oklahoma State, Ryan also spent time as a graduate assistant at Ohio State and held various coaching positions at Tennessee State, including running backs coach, linebackers coach, and defensive line coach.
A New Era for USC’s Defense
The addition of Rob Ryan to USC’s coaching staff is a clear indication of Lincoln Riley’s commitment to building a championship-caliber program. With Ryan’s wealth of knowledge and experience, the Trojans’ defense is poised to take a significant step forward in the coming seasons.
Ryan will be replacing Matt Entz, who served as the Trojans’ assistant head coach for defense and linebackers coach last season before accepting the head coaching position at Fresno State. While Entz’s contributions to the program were valuable, the arrival of Rob Ryan brings a new level of excitement and anticipation to USC’s defensive unit.
A Bright Future for the Trojans
As USC continues to assemble a star-studded coaching staff under Lincoln Riley, the future looks brighter than ever for the Trojans. With Rob Ryan leading the charge on defense and bringing his invaluable NFL experience to the table, USC fans have every reason to be optimistic about the team’s prospects in the coming years.
The college football world will be watching closely as Ryan and the rest of the USC coaching staff work to elevate the program to new heights. With the right pieces in place and a renewed sense of purpose, the Trojans are ready to make their mark on the national stage once again.
