Eric Henderson Named Co-Defensive Coordinator for Trojans
“I’m excited to welcome the final member of our defensive staff, Eric Henderson,” said Riley. “A Super Bowl Champion coach who has been recognized nationally for being the top in his field, Eric will bring immeasurable knowledge and experience to our program. We have put together a defensive staff that is second to none. We’re ready to get to work.”
Earl Heath
Contributing Sports Writer
Eric Henderson, a Super Bowl Champion and award-winning coach, has been named USC’s co-defensive coordinator/run game coordinator/defensive line coach, head coach Lincoln Riley announced today (Jan. 15).
“I’m excited to welcome the final member of our defensive staff, Eric Henderson,” said Riley. “A Super Bowl Champion coach who has been recognized nationally for being the top in his field, Eric will bring immeasurable knowledge and experience to our program. We have put together a defensive staff that is second to none. We’re ready to get to work.”
Henderson most recently served as the defensive line coach/run game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
In the 2023 season, the Rams finished the season ranked No. 8 in run defense with a 70.2 grade per PFF. The Rams finished the regular season with 41.0 sacks with 4 players recording 6.0+ sacks. This was the first time since 1985 that the Rams have had 4 players with 6.0+ sacks on the season. DT Aaron Donald was named a Pro Bowler and earned First Team All-Pro. This marks his 10th Pro Bowl appearance and eighth First Team All-Pro recognition. In 2023, Donald tallied 56 tackles, including 8 sacks, and 3 PBUs. Henderson tutored DT Kobie Turner, who was arguably the best rookie pass rusher in the NFL in 2023 and is a strong candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He led the Rams with 9 sacks. Turner recorded 58 tackles, including 9.5 sacks on the season. That sack total tied Donald’s mark for the franchise’s rookie record. Turner won NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month for January. He recorded 5 sacks, 15 tackles and 4 TFLsin the final 6 games of the year, helping elevate the performance of the entire defense.
In 2022, the Rams rush defense ranked among the best in the NFL. Henderson’s defensive line helped the Rams finish third in fewest missed tackles on rush plays (51), eighth in percentage of opponent rushes that resulted in first downs (23.3%), ninth in defensive total rush EPA (42.97), ninth in opponent rushes for touchdowns (37.92), tied for 10th in total rushing touchdowns allowed (12) and finished 12th in total rushing first downs allowed (106). According to PFF, the Rams defense concluded the season with the highest grade against the rush (87.0) and only allowed two players to eclipse the 100-yard rushing mark on the season. The Rams were 1 of 4 teams to enter Week 17 without allowing a 100- yard.
Henderson made his coaching debut in 2012 as a defensive assistant at Georgia Military College, where he coached the linebackers and secondary. The Bulldogs finished with a 7-4 record and made an appearance in the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl.
Henderson played three years in the National Football League with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2006-08 after being signed as an undrafted free agent. He also spent three years (2009-11) with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League, helping the team win a pair of league championships.
Henderson was a three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference defensive end at Georgia Tech from 2003-05. He set the school’s career record for tackles for loss with 59.5 and finished with 175 tackles, 25 sacks (No. 4 in program history), 8 PBUs and 7 forced fumbles.
