University Southern California Trojans
Football
Zach Hanson
- Title:
- Offensive Line Coach / Run Game Coordinator
- Email:
- football@usc.edu
- Phone:
- (213) 740-4204
- Instagram:
- @coachzachhanson
Zach Hanson, regarded as one of the game’s top offensive line coaches, enters his fifth season at USC. After the 2024 season, he transitioned to USC's offensive line coach. From 2022-23, he was USC’s tight ends coach and in 2024, he added assistant head coach for offense to his title. In 2026 he added run game coordinator to his duties.
In 2025, Hanson coached an offensive line unit that displayed incredible depth throughout the season. USC showcased eight different starting offensive line combinations throughout 13 games. The USC offensive line helped the Trojans average 296.0 passing yards per game (first in the Big Ten), while averaging 169.5 yards on the ground (sixth in the Big Ten). USC led the Big Ten in total offense (465.5). The line, which earned Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll recognition, protected Maiava well. He was only sacked 11 times all season, marking the second fewest sacks in the Big Ten and the seventh fewest in the Power Four. USC led the Big Ten in tackles for loss allowed (3.85). The line’s run blocking allowed seven different Trojans to score a total of 29 rushing touchdowns.
In 2024, he tutored a talented group of Trojan tight ends. USC finished the regular season first in the Big Ten and No. 11 in the nation in passing offense (291.7), third in the Big Ten and 19th in the nation in all-purpose yards (121.17), third in the Big Ten and No. 23 in the nation in total offense (440.3) and fourth in the Big Ten and No. 18 in the nation in first downs offense (287). The Trojans concluded the season with a 35-31 victory over Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl. The win marked the biggest comeback victory in Las Vegas Bowl history. Additionally, it was the largest deficit that USC has ever overcome in a bowl game win, with the previous being a 15-point deficit against Penn State in the 2017 Rose Bowl.
In 2023, Hanson's tight ends were part of an offense that was ranked No. 3 in the nation in scoring offense (41.8) and No. 10 in the nation in total offense (467.6). USC wrapped up the season defeating No. 16 Louisville 42-28 in the 2023 Holiday Bowl.
In 2022, he led a group of tight ends who contributed to a recorded-setting season for the Trojan offense. USC played in the Cotton Bowl to conclude the season.
He spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons as the offensive line coach at Tulsa. He coached Tyler Smith who was selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the No. 24 overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys. Smith was named a Second Team All-Pro in 2023. While at Tulsa, Smith was also a FWAA Freshman All-American and an All-American Athletic Conference First Team pick in 2020. In 2021, he was named to the All-AAC Second Team. Hanson also coached offensive tackle Chris Paul who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders. In his two seasons at Tulsa, Hanson had 7 offensive linemen earn All-American Athletic Conference honors. The Golden Hurricane played in the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl and 2021 Myrtle Beach Bowl. Tulsa also played in the 2020 American Athletic Conference championship against Cincinnati. After the 2021 season, Hanson was selected for the 2022 AFCA 35 Under 35 Leadership Institute.
Hanson was a senior offensive analyst at Oklahoma in 2019 when the Sooners played in the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Peach Bowl.
In 2018, he was the tight ends coach and assistant offensive line coach at Kansas State, his alma mater.
He spent 2016 and 2017 at North Carolina as a graduate assistant for special teams. The Tar Heels led the nation in punt return defense (0.2) and were second in kickoff returns (26.97) in 2016. Punter Tom Sheldon was a Freshman All-American in 2017. North Carolina played in the 2016 Sun Bowl.
He began his coaching career at Kansas State for 4 seasons (2012-15), serving as an offensive quality control coach in 2012 and then the final 3 years as an offensive graduate assistant. He worked with the offensive line during his first 3 years there and with the wide receivers in 2015. The Wildcats, who won the Big 12 Championship in 2012, played in the 2013 Fiesta Bowl, 2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, 2015 Alamo Bowl and 2016 Liberty Bowl.
Hanson was an offensive tackle at Kansas State (2008-11), earning 2011 All-Big 12 First Team and Academic All-Big 12 Second Team accolades. He appeared in 37 games in his career, including starting at left tackle in 2011 when the Wildcats went 10-3 and appeared in the Cotton Bowl. Kansas State also played in the 2010 Pinstripe Bowl.
He originally signed with Nevada out of high school but opted to attend Sacramento City College prior to going to Kansas State.
He earned a bachelor's degree in social sciences in 2010 and his master's degree in sociology in 2014, both from Kansas State.
He prepped at Linden (Calif.) High.
He and his wife, Annie, have one son, Rock.
In 2025, Hanson coached an offensive line unit that displayed incredible depth throughout the season. USC showcased eight different starting offensive line combinations throughout 13 games. The USC offensive line helped the Trojans average 296.0 passing yards per game (first in the Big Ten), while averaging 169.5 yards on the ground (sixth in the Big Ten). USC led the Big Ten in total offense (465.5). The line, which earned Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll recognition, protected Maiava well. He was only sacked 11 times all season, marking the second fewest sacks in the Big Ten and the seventh fewest in the Power Four. USC led the Big Ten in tackles for loss allowed (3.85). The line’s run blocking allowed seven different Trojans to score a total of 29 rushing touchdowns.
In 2024, he tutored a talented group of Trojan tight ends. USC finished the regular season first in the Big Ten and No. 11 in the nation in passing offense (291.7), third in the Big Ten and 19th in the nation in all-purpose yards (121.17), third in the Big Ten and No. 23 in the nation in total offense (440.3) and fourth in the Big Ten and No. 18 in the nation in first downs offense (287). The Trojans concluded the season with a 35-31 victory over Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl. The win marked the biggest comeback victory in Las Vegas Bowl history. Additionally, it was the largest deficit that USC has ever overcome in a bowl game win, with the previous being a 15-point deficit against Penn State in the 2017 Rose Bowl.
In 2023, Hanson's tight ends were part of an offense that was ranked No. 3 in the nation in scoring offense (41.8) and No. 10 in the nation in total offense (467.6). USC wrapped up the season defeating No. 16 Louisville 42-28 in the 2023 Holiday Bowl.
In 2022, he led a group of tight ends who contributed to a recorded-setting season for the Trojan offense. USC played in the Cotton Bowl to conclude the season.
He spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons as the offensive line coach at Tulsa. He coached Tyler Smith who was selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the No. 24 overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys. Smith was named a Second Team All-Pro in 2023. While at Tulsa, Smith was also a FWAA Freshman All-American and an All-American Athletic Conference First Team pick in 2020. In 2021, he was named to the All-AAC Second Team. Hanson also coached offensive tackle Chris Paul who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders. In his two seasons at Tulsa, Hanson had 7 offensive linemen earn All-American Athletic Conference honors. The Golden Hurricane played in the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl and 2021 Myrtle Beach Bowl. Tulsa also played in the 2020 American Athletic Conference championship against Cincinnati. After the 2021 season, Hanson was selected for the 2022 AFCA 35 Under 35 Leadership Institute.
Hanson was a senior offensive analyst at Oklahoma in 2019 when the Sooners played in the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Peach Bowl.
In 2018, he was the tight ends coach and assistant offensive line coach at Kansas State, his alma mater.
He spent 2016 and 2017 at North Carolina as a graduate assistant for special teams. The Tar Heels led the nation in punt return defense (0.2) and were second in kickoff returns (26.97) in 2016. Punter Tom Sheldon was a Freshman All-American in 2017. North Carolina played in the 2016 Sun Bowl.
He began his coaching career at Kansas State for 4 seasons (2012-15), serving as an offensive quality control coach in 2012 and then the final 3 years as an offensive graduate assistant. He worked with the offensive line during his first 3 years there and with the wide receivers in 2015. The Wildcats, who won the Big 12 Championship in 2012, played in the 2013 Fiesta Bowl, 2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, 2015 Alamo Bowl and 2016 Liberty Bowl.
Hanson was an offensive tackle at Kansas State (2008-11), earning 2011 All-Big 12 First Team and Academic All-Big 12 Second Team accolades. He appeared in 37 games in his career, including starting at left tackle in 2011 when the Wildcats went 10-3 and appeared in the Cotton Bowl. Kansas State also played in the 2010 Pinstripe Bowl.
He originally signed with Nevada out of high school but opted to attend Sacramento City College prior to going to Kansas State.
He earned a bachelor's degree in social sciences in 2010 and his master's degree in sociology in 2014, both from Kansas State.
He prepped at Linden (Calif.) High.
He and his wife, Annie, have one son, Rock.
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