USC Football Staff Changes Announced by Lincoln Riley

On Tuesday, USC football coach Lincoln Riley made some significant adjustments to his coaching staff as he prepares for the 2026 season. He confirmed the hiring of Mike Ekeler as the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach. Additionally, Paul Gonzalez will serve as the safeties coach and defensive passing game coordinator, while Skyler Jones takes on the role of defensive tackle coach.

These changes are part of an effort to bolster the Trojans’ defense, especially with the aim of making their first appearance in the College Football Playoff. All three assistants will work under the new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson.

Interestingly, Ekeler is returning to USC over a decade since he last coached there, under Lane Kiffin in 2013. After Kiffin’s dismissal during the season, Ekeler moved on to Georgia. His most recent position was at Nebraska, where he led a special teams unit that is noted for blocking three field goals and two punts in the 2025 season without allowing any blocked kicks.

Meanwhile, Jones has been promoted after two seasons as an analyst on the USC defensive staff. He significantly impacted standout freshman defensive tackle Jakeem Stewart’s development and the overall progress of the defense under former coordinator Danton Lynn.

Riley expressed his enthusiasm for Skyler Jones, who replaces Eric Henderson after he joined the NFL’s Washington Commanders. “Skyler has worked hard and proven himself by continuously developing high-level players,” Riley noted, regarding the enhancement he expects Jones will bring to the defensive line.

Gonzalez and Patterson, who have a history together from their ten years at TCU, will work in conjunction again. Gonzalez previously coached at Baylor as the defensive passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach, where he was instrumental in moving six of his safeties into the NFL. He takes the place of Doug Berg, who is likely headed for a role with the Denver Broncos as their new defensive backs coach.

Furthermore, Ekeler replaces Ryan Dougherty as the special teams coordinator, while Rob Ryan has been appointed as the new linebackers coach. It seems Ryan will stay on staff as an analyst.

USC’s special teams performance has room for improvement, having ranked low in a few aspects last season. They finished 129th in kickoff coverage and 132nd in punt coverage, although kicker Ryon Saeli was a bright spot, setting a school record with 21 field goals. Saeli will return next season alongside new punter Lachlan Carrigan, who transferred from Memphis.

In contrast, Nebraska’s special teams excelled, ranking 12th nationally in kickoff coverage and 13th in returns, achieving more punt return yards last season than the team had in the previous five years combined.