University Southern California Trojans
Paul Gonzales Named USC Safeties Coach / Defensive Pass Game Coordinator
February 17, 2026 | Football
LOS ANGELES—Paul Gonzales, an experienced defensive backs coach who is familiar with Gary Patterson's defensive scheme, has been named USC safeties coach / defensive pass game coordinator, Head Coach Lincoln Riley announced today (Feb. 17).
"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."
Most recently, Gonzales served as the defensive passing game coordinator / cornerbacks coach at Baylor in 2025. He coached LeVar Thornton Jr. who earned All-Big 12 honorable mention distinction.
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.Â
Gonzales made an immediate impact in his debut campaign with the cornerbacks in 2015, as the position was instrumental in the Horned Frogs ranking first in the Big 12 in opponent completion percentage (49.8) and fewest touchdown passes allowed (17). TCU was second in the conference in pass efficiency defense (112.6).
In TCU's 2016 campaign, Gonzales mentored Ranthony Texada and helped him earn an Associated Press All-Big 12 Second Team recognition.Â
In 2017, the Frogs finished ninth in the final AP Poll after going 11-3 and beating No. 15 Stanford 39-37 in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Texada earned All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2017 while also being named to multiple All-America teams. He was a free-agent signee by the Washington Redskins.
In his first season as safeties coach in 2018, Gonzales coached Innis Gaines and Ridwan Issahaku to earn All-Big 12 Second Team honors. Gaines went on to sign a free-agent contract with the Packers.
In 2019, Gonzales tutored Tre'Von Moehrig to earn All-Big 12 First Team honors. Ar'Darius Washington was named a Freshman All-American, and Vernon Scott went on to become a seventh round NFL Draft pick by the Green Bay Packers. Pro Football Focus rated Moehrig and Washington as the nation's top two safeties in college football.Â
Under the tutelage of Gonzales, Moehrig won the 2020 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back. The team captain was named a First Team All-American and earned placement on the All-Big 12 First Team and went on to become a second round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2021 NFL Draft. Fellow safety Ar'Darius Washington signed a free-agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens.Â
In 2021, TCU went 5-7 overall and 3-6 in Big-12 play. Safety T.J. Carter was second on the team with 63 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU and 1 QB hurry.Â
In 2022, TCU, which reached the College Football Playoff National Championship game, saw its safeties play a major role. Millard Bradford and Bud Clark were selected as All-Big 12 Honorable Mentions while fellow safety Mark Perry was second on the team with 84 tackles. Clark's 5 INTs were the most by a Horned Frog since fellow safety Ar'Darius Washington in 2019. Clark's final pick of the season was returned 41 yards for a TD for TCU's first points in its CFP Semifinal win over Michigan.
The 2023 campaign saw TCU safeties shine as Bradford and Perry earned All-Big 12 recognition en route to signing free-agent contracts with the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins, respectively.
In 2024, TCU went 9-4 and 6-3 in Big 12 Conference play. Jamel Johnson ranked third on the team in tackles, making 73 stops and with 3 PBUs. Clark ranked fourth on the team with 67 tackles, 3 INTs, 3 PBUs and a forced fumble, while Abe Camara had 55 tackles with 6 PBUs and two forced fumbles.
Gonzales spent the previous three seasons (2012-14) as a graduate assistant with the TCU defense. He worked with the safeties and linebackers.
Gonzales arrived at TCU after two years as the defensive backs coach at Pacific University.Â
He served as a defensive assistant at UC Davis (2008-09) and was an offensive assistant at Pioneer High School in Woodland, Calif., in 2007.
Gonzales was a four-year letterman for the UC Davis baseball team. He played in 27 games with 10 starts on the mound for the Aggies, tossing 63 innings over three years from 2005-07.
He earned his degree from UC Davis in communication and psychology. In 2015, Gonzales received his master's degree in liberal arts from TCU.
Gonzales and his wife, Noel, have two sons: Weston and Chase.
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"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."
Most recently, Gonzales served as the defensive passing game coordinator / cornerbacks coach at Baylor in 2025. He coached LeVar Thornton Jr. who earned All-Big 12 honorable mention distinction.
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.Â
Gonzales made an immediate impact in his debut campaign with the cornerbacks in 2015, as the position was instrumental in the Horned Frogs ranking first in the Big 12 in opponent completion percentage (49.8) and fewest touchdown passes allowed (17). TCU was second in the conference in pass efficiency defense (112.6).
In TCU's 2016 campaign, Gonzales mentored Ranthony Texada and helped him earn an Associated Press All-Big 12 Second Team recognition.Â
In 2017, the Frogs finished ninth in the final AP Poll after going 11-3 and beating No. 15 Stanford 39-37 in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Texada earned All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2017 while also being named to multiple All-America teams. He was a free-agent signee by the Washington Redskins.
In his first season as safeties coach in 2018, Gonzales coached Innis Gaines and Ridwan Issahaku to earn All-Big 12 Second Team honors. Gaines went on to sign a free-agent contract with the Packers.
In 2019, Gonzales tutored Tre'Von Moehrig to earn All-Big 12 First Team honors. Ar'Darius Washington was named a Freshman All-American, and Vernon Scott went on to become a seventh round NFL Draft pick by the Green Bay Packers. Pro Football Focus rated Moehrig and Washington as the nation's top two safeties in college football.Â
Under the tutelage of Gonzales, Moehrig won the 2020 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back. The team captain was named a First Team All-American and earned placement on the All-Big 12 First Team and went on to become a second round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2021 NFL Draft. Fellow safety Ar'Darius Washington signed a free-agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens.Â
In 2021, TCU went 5-7 overall and 3-6 in Big-12 play. Safety T.J. Carter was second on the team with 63 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU and 1 QB hurry.Â
In 2022, TCU, which reached the College Football Playoff National Championship game, saw its safeties play a major role. Millard Bradford and Bud Clark were selected as All-Big 12 Honorable Mentions while fellow safety Mark Perry was second on the team with 84 tackles. Clark's 5 INTs were the most by a Horned Frog since fellow safety Ar'Darius Washington in 2019. Clark's final pick of the season was returned 41 yards for a TD for TCU's first points in its CFP Semifinal win over Michigan.
The 2023 campaign saw TCU safeties shine as Bradford and Perry earned All-Big 12 recognition en route to signing free-agent contracts with the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins, respectively.
In 2024, TCU went 9-4 and 6-3 in Big 12 Conference play. Jamel Johnson ranked third on the team in tackles, making 73 stops and with 3 PBUs. Clark ranked fourth on the team with 67 tackles, 3 INTs, 3 PBUs and a forced fumble, while Abe Camara had 55 tackles with 6 PBUs and two forced fumbles.
Gonzales spent the previous three seasons (2012-14) as a graduate assistant with the TCU defense. He worked with the safeties and linebackers.
Gonzales arrived at TCU after two years as the defensive backs coach at Pacific University.Â
He served as a defensive assistant at UC Davis (2008-09) and was an offensive assistant at Pioneer High School in Woodland, Calif., in 2007.
Gonzales was a four-year letterman for the UC Davis baseball team. He played in 27 games with 10 starts on the mound for the Aggies, tossing 63 innings over three years from 2005-07.
He earned his degree from UC Davis in communication and psychology. In 2015, Gonzales received his master's degree in liberal arts from TCU.
Gonzales and his wife, Noel, have two sons: Weston and Chase.
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