February 15, 2025
USC hires longtime NFL coach Rob Ryan as an assistant

USC hires longtime NFL coach Rob Ryan as an assistant

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 17: Las Vegas Raiders Senior Defensive Assistant Rob Ryan on the field before a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

New USC linebackers coach Rob Ryan was an assistant with the Las Vegas Raiders for the past three seasons. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

Rob Ryan is returning to college football.

Longtime NFL assistant coach and brother of former Jets and Bills head coach Rex Ryan was named the new linebackers coach at USC on Saturday. USC needed a linebackers coach after former North Dakota State head coach Matt Entz was named Fresno State’s head coach following the 2024 season.

“Rob Ryan is one of the most successful defensive coaches in NFL history,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said in a statement. “With over two decades of NFL experience, he will immediately strengthen our staff as we continue our upward trajectory here at USC. He has coached some of the NFL’s best players, including numerous Hall of Famers and All-Pro players. We are very excited.” Welcome Coach Ryan and his family to our program.

The job at USC will be Ryan’s first in college football since 1999, when he was in his final season of a three-year tenure as Oklahoma State’s defensive coordinator. Since then, he has been a defensive assistant for eight different franchises, during which time he has served as defensive coordinator for the Raiders, Browns, Cowboys, Saints and Bills.

Ryan has served as a defensive assistant for the Raiders for the past three seasons. It was his second stint with the Raiders after being the team’s defensive coordinator from 2004 to 2008.

Ryan’s hiring comes days after the school signed defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn to a new contract. Lynn was hired by UCLA to lead the Trojans’ defense after the 2023 season.

Lynn took over for the fired Alex Grinch after USC’s defense was abysmal during the 2023 season. Although USC finished the 2024 season 7-6, its defense improved compared to 2023. Two seasons ago, USC allowed 71 plays per game and 6.1 yards per game while opposing teams scored 34.4 points per game. In 2024, USC allowed 65 plays per game for 5.8 yards each and gave up 24.1 points per game.

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