LOS ANGELES — USC Football experienced a boatload of changes to its coaching front on Tuesday morning.
Head coach Lincoln Riley and company announced three new additions: Skyler Jones (Defensive Tackles Coach), Mike Ekeler (Special Teams Coordinator) and Paul Gonzales (Safeties Coach/Defensive Pass Game Coordinator).
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Jones, who has both NFL and collegiate coaching experience, has been with USC since 2024, previously serving as a defensive analyst under former Co-Defensive Coordinator / Run Game Coordinator / Defensive Line Coach Eric Henderson.
“We are thrilled for Skyler,” said Riley. “He has earned this opportunity by consistently developing high-level performers, building meaningful relationships with our players, and demonstrating his commitment to the standard of excellence we expect in our program. He will continue to enhance our defensive line and elevate the talent in our room.”
Jones coached defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart, who had a stellar collegiate debut, making an immediate impact on the Trojan defensive line by decorating his stat sheet with 18 tackles, including 7.5 for loss of 27 yards (with 1.5 sacks for minus 11 yards), 1 interception returned for 4 yards, 1 fumble recovery returned for 22 yards, and 1 QB hurry.
Ekeler, a highly regarded coach who has over 23 years of experience at some of the winningest college football programs in history, is entering his 28th football season overall, including 23 years at the FBS level and 22 years at a Power Four school.
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The 2026 season will be Ekeler’s tenth as a special team coordinator, and he has led some of the best special teams units in the nation.
He has coached in every power conference while serving on staffs at six of the 12 winningest programs in college football history (USC, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Georgia, Tennessee and LSU).
“This is an exciting return to USC for Mike and his family,” said Riley. “Mike’s special teams and linebacker units are elite, and he brings 23 years of Power Four experience on staffs that have produced some of the nation’s finest defenses and special teams. We’re thrilled to welcome him back to Los Angeles as part of our program.”
Gonzales, an experienced defensive backs coach who is familiar with Gary Patterson’s defensive scheme, served as the defensive passing game coordinator/cornerbacks coach at Baylor in 2025.
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Prior to working at Baylor, Gonzales spent 13 years coaching at TCU. He was named the Horned Frogs’ safeties coach in 2018 after serving the previous three seasons as cornerbacks coach. Six of Gonzales’ safeties went on to have NFL careers.
“We’re happy to welcome Paul to the Trojan Family,” said Riley. “His experience working alongside Coach Patterson, combined with his strong football acumen and energy will have an immediate impact on our defense. He will quickly elevate the development and performance of our safeties.”
