The Zeitgeist List · coaching
USC: a coaching history
See USC’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →← all coaches
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
Lincoln Riley is 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.
Every coach
2022–now
Lincoln Rileyinheritor
Power Program I
26–14
2013–2021
Clay Heltoninheritor
−13.0
46–24
2010–2013
Lane Kiffininheritor
−13.2
28–15
2001–2009
Pete Carrolltransformer
+32.1
97–19
1998–2000
Paul Hackettinheritor
Power Program I
19–18
1987–1992
Larry Smithinheritor
Power Program I
44–25
1983–1986
Ted Tollnerinheritor
−10.7
26–20
1976–1997
John Robinsonsustainer
−15.9
104–35
1960–1975
John McKaytransformer
+32.9
127–40
1957–1959
Don Clarkcaretaker
Power Program III
13–16
1951–1956
Jess Hillcaretaker
Power Program II
45–17
1942–1950
Jeff Cravathinheritor
Power Program II
54–28
1936–1940
Howard Jonescaretaker
Power Program I
28–12