The Trojan Legacy: History of the USC Football Team

USC Today

The Trojan legacy is deeply rooted in the prominence of the football team: gameday traditions, tailgating, and everything surrounding USC athletics. Established in 1888, USC Trojans football has claimed several national championships, 55 bowl appearances, and over 800 wins as of 2024. This football team made their first collegiate appearance in 1889, taking victory 40-0 against St. Vincent’s College. Today, all USC home football games take place at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, commissioned in 1921 as a tribute to veterans of World War I and is a site of 3 Summer Olympics. The Coliseum has been considered home for the Trojans since 1923. Today, USC football continues to break records and develop exceptional players,  many of whom have become Heisman winners and advance to NFL drafting. 

Heisman Winners

Since 1888, the Trojans have had 8 Heisman Trophy winners, the most any college football program has ever had. These winners include Mike Garrett (1965), O.J. Simpson (1968), Charles White (1979), Marcus Allen (1981), Carson Palmer (2002), Matt Leinart (2004), Reggie Bush (2005), and Caleb Williams (2024). 

Among all these players, O.J. Simpson and Reggie Bush, despite their controversial backgrounds, hold some of the most monumental records that are still talked about today. Runningback O.J. Simpson became USC’s second Heisman Trophy winner after he established a National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) record for yards rushing 1,709 in a single season. Additionally, running back Reggie Bush rushed for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns over his three seasons. These achievements remain iconic within the USC’s football legacy and are still celebrated today. 

Coaching History to Present 

The Trojans’ coaching history is equally impressive, with many figures that contributed to the rich background encompassing the Trojan legacy. To highlight some of USC’s historical figures, early coaches Frank Suffel and Henry H. Goddard led the team to their first victory, setting the foundation for the success we continue to see today. Among USC’s most celebrated coaches, the top three for most wins overall are John Mckay (1960-1975) with 127 wins, Howard Jones (1925-1940) following with 121 wins, and John Robinson (1976-1997) with 104 wins. 

Beyond these notable coaches, Pete Carroll stands out as one of USC’s coaching figures that marks a level of achievement and dominance that has been hard to match. Appointed as head coach in 2000, Carroll replaced Paul Hackett after his dismissal for not making consistent progress on the field. Carroll’s position was initially criticized for his absence at the college level for two decades, but after a slow start, Carroll quickly became one of the most effective recruiters in college football. With Carroll as head coach, USC had a winning streak that increased the revenue of the football program significantly. Unfortunately, Carroll eventually left in 2010 to coach the Seattle Seahawks, and it has been an uphill battle trying to find another coach to fit USC’s standards. 

What’s Happening Today

Since Carroll’s departure, several head coaches, like Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian, and Ed Orgeron, although very successful now, faced challenges in maintaining team stability for USC. Now, as of the 2024 season, USC has Lincoln Riley as head coach. While Riley brings a strong record of coaching achievements as one of the nation’s most successful coaches, it is too soon to judge his performance at USC. In the short time he has been here, our team has yet to live up to  USC fans standards, leaving Riley’s execution in question. Considering the recent switch in conferences from the PAC-12 to the Big Ten, changes in coaching staff, our entrance into NIL contracts, and new transfer portal policies allowing athletes to transfer teams without penalty, USC faces major obstacles. 

As USC football moves into a new era under Lincoln Riley's leadership, the program has the tools and history to remain a dominant force. Whether reclaiming its position at the top or forging new paths in the Big Ten, the Trojans’ enduring spirit continues to inspire players and fans alike. The next chapter of USC football is being written, and all eyes are on the Trojans to see how they rise to fulfill the Trojan legacy.