Earlier this week, it was reported that USC will be promoting analyst Skyler Jones to defensive tackles coach. However, that may not be only internal promotion that the Trojans give out this offseason, or even this week.
On Thursday, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported that USC is promoting AJ Howard to outside linebackers coach. Howard served as an assistant linebackers coach/defensive analyst with the Trojans this past season.
Howard was previously the outside linebackers coach at Appalachian State, where he played college football in the 2010s. He also spent two seasons in the NFL, winning Super Bowl LIII with the New England Patriots (although he did not record any stats for the team).
Mike Ekeler, who USC hired away from Nebraska last month, is set to serve as the Trojans’ linebackers coach. With Ekeler and Howard working with the linebackers, it is unclear what the future holds for Rob Ryan, who coached USC’s linebackers in 2025. Perhaps Ryan, who is 63 years old, will remain with the program in a consultant/advisory role.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC promotes assistant AJ Howard to outside linebackers coach
Reporting by Adam Bradford, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
