""I'd had a job since I was 9 years old," Patterson said. "Just kind of wanted to take a break." For decades, football had been at the forefront of his and his family's life, so much so that his wife joked she was merely his "mistress." He wanted to spend time with her, with his grandkids. Plus, after a few seasons, he knew he'd be eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame, which was important to him."
"He watched the game from afar, helping out as a consultant on staffs at Texas and Baylor, even working with Amazon Prime's football coverage, just to score a subscription to Catapult, all along biding his time for the right opportunity to come along. It came earlier this month, four years after his departure from Fort Worth, in the form of a text message from USC coach Lincoln Riley, whom he knew from their days coaching across from each other in the Big 12."
Gary Patterson resigned as Texas Christian coach in October 2021, midway through his 21st season. He sought a break after decades in football, intending to spend time with his wife and grandchildren and to await College Football Hall of Fame eligibility. He remained involved as a consultant at Texas and Baylor and worked with Amazon Prime's football coverage while waiting for the right opportunity. Lincoln Riley contacted him after USC's defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn departed for Penn State. Patterson accepted the USC defensive coordinator role, becoming Riley's third DC in five seasons. Patterson's fit at USC may shape the Trojans' defensive stability and Riley's program trajectory.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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