TRENDING: College Coach Says No to NFL

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports | By Dan Zealley | Last updated Jan 21, 2025 7:52 AM ET

By Dan Zealley

In an attempt to bolster the defense in L.A., the Trojans turn to veteran defensive assistant Rob Ryan . He has over 30 years of coaching experience, mostly in the NFL. Connor Morrissette, of 247 Sports, reports that Ryan will take over for Matt Entz, who left to become head coach at Fresno State.

BREAKING: Rob Ryan named USC football's linebackers coachhttps://t.co/m9S7Yy3idY
— Connor Morrissette (@C_Morrissette) January 18, 2025

USC finished the 2024 season with a 7-6 overall record and 4-5 and finished 9th in the Big 10. They gave up 24 points per game and struggled to stop the run at times.

Ryan started his coaching career at Tennessee State in 1989 and was the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State from 1997-1999. Since 2000, Ryan has been an assistant in the NFL. He spent the last two seasons as the Las Vegas Raiders senior defensive assistant.

"Rob Ryan is one of the most accomplished defensive coaches in NFL history," said head coach Lincoln Riley in a statement. "With over two decades of NFL experience, he will immediately bolster our staff as we continue our climb here at USC…”

USC has tried many tactics in recent years to improve their porous defense. Time will only tell if this decision will be the one that actually works.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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