The Zeitgeist List · coaching

USC: a football coaching history

Power Program I#13 of 138–
See USC’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
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Program GOAT
Pete Carroll
2 Dynasty · 7 Blue-Blood seasons
Built by
John McKay
Power Program III → Blue Blood (+32.9)
The fall
John Robinson
Blue Blood → Power Program I (−15.9)
Right now
Lincoln Riley
the 10th-best of USC's 13 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

★★program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)JonesCravathHillMcKayRobinsonSmithCarrollHeltonRiley19401960198020002020

Every coach

2022–now
Lincoln Rileyinheritor
Lincoln Riley inherited a Power Program I USC and won with it.
Power Program I
35–18
2021–2021
Donte Williamsshort tenure
3–7
2014–2014
Steve Sarkisianshort tenure
9–4
2013–2013
Ed Orgeronshort tenure
6–2
2013–2021
Clay Heltoninheritor
Clay Helton inherited a Blue Blood USC and won with it.
−13.0
46–24
2010–2013
Lane Kiffininheritor
Lane Kiffin inherited a Blue Blood USC and won with it.
−13.2
28–15
2001–2009
Pete Carrolltransformer
Pete Carroll took USC from Power Program I to Blue Blood — 2 Dynasty seasons.
+32.1
97–19
1998–2000
Paul Hackettinheritor
Paul Hackett inherited a Power Program I USC and won with it.
Power Program I
19–18
1987–1992
Larry Smithinheritor
Larry Smith inherited a Power Program I USC and won with it.
Power Program I
44–25
1983–1986
Ted Tollnerinheritor
Ted Tollner inherited a Blue Blood USC and won with it.
−10.7
26–20
1976–1997
John Robinsonsustainer
John Robinson kept USC a national power for 7 seasons.
−15.9
104–35
1960–1975
John McKaytransformer
John McKay took USC from Power Program III to Blue Blood.
+32.9
127–40
1957–1959
Don Clarkcaretaker
Don Clark slid USC from Power Program II to Power Program III in 3 seasons.
Power Program III
13–16
1951–1956
Jess Hillcaretaker
Jess Hill moved USC from Power Program III to Power Program II in 6 seasons.
Power Program II
45–17
1942–1950
Jeff Cravathinheritor
Jeff Cravath inherited a Power Program I USC and won with it.
Power Program II
54–28
1941–1941
Sam Barryshort tenure
2–6
1936–1940
Howard Jonescaretaker
Howard Jones held USC at Power Program I for 5 seasons.
Power Program I
28–12