Defensive struggles were the main reason why coach Lincoln Riley’s teams at Oklahoma were never able to get past the College Football Semifinals.
It’s what kept USC out of the College Football Playoff in 2022, Riley’s first season, and why they ultimately wasted their two years with Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch had the Trojans ranked at the bottom of every statistical category.
Riley pulled D’Anton Lynn away from crosstown rival UCLA in 2024 to be his new defensive coordinator, and not much changed. Toughness and lack of discipline were a long list of other issues that continued to be at the forefront of USC’s defensive struggles during Lynn’s two seasons.
When Lynn left to take the same role with his alma mater, Penn State, Riley made a big move in the offseason by hiring Hall of Fame coach Gary Patterson. The Trojans also made several changes to its defensive staff, most notably hiring linebacker coach Mike Ekeler and safeties coach Paul Gonzales…