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| Southern California Trojans football | |
|---|---|
| Name | Southern California Trojans |
| Firstseason | 1888 |
| Athleticdirector | Martin Jarmond |
| Headcoach | Lincoln Riley |
| Stadium | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
| Capacity | 78107 |
| Conference | Pac-12 |
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
| Natltitles | 11 (claimed) |
| Outfitter | Under Armour |
Southern California Trojans football is the intercollegiate American football program representing the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. The program competes at the highest level of NCAA Division I FBS and has produced multiple College Football Playoff participants, Heisman Trophy winners, and professional athletes. USC is historically associated with the Pac-12 Conference, national championships, and a lineage of influential coaches and players who shaped college football and the National Football League.
The program traces roots to 1888 in Los Angeles, growing under early figures like Galen Hall (player-era) and coaches who established USC in the Rose Bowl. USC rose to national prominence under coaches such as Howard Jones, John McKay, and John Robinson, winning multiple national championships and cementing ties to the Rose Bowl Game. During the late 20th century, USC entered a modern era under Terry Donahue, combining stability with conference championships in the Pacific-10 Conference. The 21st century saw a resurgence under Pete Carroll, with players like Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart securing a 2004 national title contention and multiple Heisman Trophy finalists. Subsequent periods involved coaching transitions to Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian, and Clay Helton, before the program hired Lincoln Riley from University of Oklahoma to continue its national ambitions.
USC's program identity is tied to symbols and rituals such as the Tommy Trojan statue, the "Fight On" motto, and the marching band traditions performed at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Fight songs and pageantry link USC to events like the Rose Parade and the Victory Bell rivalry trophy. The Trojans' cardinal and gold colors and the Trojan warrior imagery recall classical themes present in campus landmarks like Bovard Administration Building and cultural icons including alumni from USC School of Cinematic Arts who have amplified USC's visibility. Institutional traditions intersect with academic connections to University of Southern California Gould School of Law and collaborations with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory researchers among alumni networks.
Home games are played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, an Olympic landmark that hosted the 1932 Summer Olympics and the 1984 Summer Olympics, and is slated for upgrades connected to bids for future international events and local redevelopment. USC's facilities include the Howard Jones Field practice sites, the Bovard Field complex, and training centers enhanced during modern renovations funded with contributions from donors like Pat Haden and corporate partners including Under Armour and Nike. The program's athletic facilities are integrated with campus resources such as the USC Norris Cancer Center for sports medicine and research collaborations with Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Coaching legends at USC include Howard Jones, John McKay, John Robinson, Terry Donahue, and Pete Carroll. Recent coaches include Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian, Clay Helton, and Lincoln Riley. Notable players span generations: Carson Palmer, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Marcus Allen, OJ Simpson, Ronnie Lott, Junior Seau, Taylor Mays, Sam Darnold, Adoree' Jackson, DeShaun Foster, Marqise Lee, Keyshawn Johnson, Rasheed Wallace (basketball alumnus noted for crossover fame), Anthony Davis (basketball), and Willie Heston (historic era contributor). Many alumni are members of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame such as Ronnie Lott and Marcus Allen.
USC's chief rivalries include the annual matchup with UCLA for the Victory Bell, the historic rivalry with Notre Dame highlighted by the Notre Dame–USC series, and regional contests with California within the Pac-12 Conference. Classic games include the 1974 USC–Notre Dame battles that shaped national titles, the dramatic 2005 triple-overtime matchups, and bowl appearances in the Rose Bowl Game, Fiesta Bowl, and Sugar Bowl. Games versus Oregon and Stanford have featured conference-deciding moments, Heisman performances, and NFL-bound highlights.
USC claims multiple national championships, with consensus titles in seasons such as 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978, 2003, and 2004, alongside other recognized championships across the 20th century. The program has won numerous Pac-12 and Pac-10 Conference championships and accumulated over 800 program wins, ranking among the most successful in NCAA Division I FBS history. Individual seasons produced award winners including Heisman Trophy recipients such as OJ Simpson, Marcus Allen, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, and Reggie Bush (later vacated). USC has produced seasonal statistical leaders in passing, rushing, and receiving that contributed to conference titles and bowl victories.
USC is one of the leading schools in producing NFL Draft selections, with first-round picks including Carson Palmer, Ron Yary, Anthony Munoz (who attended USC preparatory programs), Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Sam Darnold, Jamal Adams, Adoree' Jackson, and Leonard Williams. Alumni have had significant careers in the National Football League with multiple Pro Bowl selections and Super Bowl appearances for players like Ronnie Lott and Marcus Allen. USC graduates have influenced coaching and front office ranks, including figures connected to the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, and Los Angeles Rams.
Category:USC Trojans football Category:College football teams in California