The USC Trojans have hired veteran NFL coach Rob Ryan as the team’s assistant head coach for defense/linebackers, head coach Lincoln Riley announced Saturday.
Ryan, the twin brother of former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, has over 35 years of coaching experience and was on the coaching staff for two Super Bowl-winning teams with the New England Patriots.
“Rob Ryan is one of the most accomplished defensive coaches in NFL history,” Riley said. “With over two decades of NFL experience, he will immediately bolster our staff as we continue our climb here at USC. He has coached some of the NFL’s top players, including numerous Hall of Famers and All-Pro selections. We’re thrilled to welcome Coach Ryan and his family to our program.”
Rob Ryan has served as the defensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders (2004-08), Cleveland Browns (2009-10), Dallas Cowboys (2011-12) and New Orleans Saints (2013-15), while also holding coaching positions with the Arizona Cardinals (1994-95), Patriots (2000-03), Buffalo Bills (2016), Washington Redskins (2019), Baltimore Ravens (2021) and Las Vegas Raiders (22-24).
His addition is expected to bolster a Trojans defense that made strides last year after two disastrous seasons in Riley’s first two years with the program. On Thursday, USC announced that defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn had agreed to a contract extension to remain with the program.