USC Offensive Coordinator Luke Huard Earns Broyles Award Nom, Powering Trojans Attack
LOS ANGELES — One of the engines that drives college football’s most electrifying offenses, many usually talk about the guys behind the headset, meticulously crafting schemes and honing quarterback talent. And this season, it’s undeniable that USC’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Luke Huard has been nothing short of a maestro. His stellar work hasn’t gone unnoticed, as he’s been officially nominated for the prestigious 2025 Broyles Award, an honor reserved for college football’s top assistant coaches.
This isn’t just a casual nod; Huard is among an elite group of 63 nominees, plucked from a pool of approximately 1,500 assistant coaches across 131 FBS programs nationwide. It’s a testament to the offensive fireworks he’s orchestrated in Los Angeles, proving that the Trojan machine is running at peak efficiency.
The Broyles Award has a special resonance within the USC program. Head Coach Lincoln Riley himself took home the honor in 2015 as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator, becoming the youngest recipient ever. Now, his protégé is following in those impressive footsteps, a clear sign that the tradition of offensive innovation is alive and well in Troy.
Huard, who hails from a family practically synonymous with outstanding quarterback play, is now in his fourth season with USC. After initially coaching inside receivers, he transitioned to quarterbacks coach for the 2024 season, adding the crucial offensive coordinator duties for 2025. It’s a move that’s paid dividends, transforming the USC attack into one of the nation’s most potent.
At the heart of this offensive renaissance is quarterback Jayden Maiava, who has not only thrived but blossomed under Huard’s tutelage. Maiava isn’t just showcasing his talents; he’s stamping his name as one of the nation’s premier signal-callers, currently leading the country with an eye-popping 91.4 QBR. His stat line for, 2025 speaks volumes: 226-of-344 (.657) for 3,174 yards with 21 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions. Not satisfied with merely discussing it, he has also contributed 140 rushing yards on 47 attempts, resulting in 6 rushing touchdowns, which establishes him as a genuine dual-threat asset.
Maiava’s mastery isn’t confined to raw numbers. He leads the Big Ten with 3,174 passing yards, 228.5 passing yards per game, and a remarkable 14.04 yards per completion – a testament to the big plays USC is consistently generating. The adage “great throws beat great coverages” couldn’t be truer for Maiava. His precision, athleticism, and uncanny ability to place the ball perfectly in high-pressure, high-difficulty situations are evident, leading the nation with a staggering 25 “big time throws,” according to PFF.
This individual brilliance directly translates to team success. Under Huard’s guidance, USC isn’t just good; they lead the Big Ten in 301 yards per game in passing offense, 13.74 passing yards per completion, and boast a formidable 479.2 yards of total offense.
Flash back to some of Maiava’s standout performances:
- Missouri State Dominance: He earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors in the season opener, leading the Trojans to a 73-13 rout. In just one half of football, Maiava accounted for over 300 yards, going 15-of-18 (.833) for 295 yards and 2 TDs, plus a rushing TD. His 295 first-half passing yards were the most by a Trojan since Kedon Slovis’ 347 in 2019, and USC’s 42 first-half points were their most since 2023.
- Michigan State Showcase: Maiava also nabbed Davey O’Brien Great 8 honors for his performance against Michigan State, where he went 20-of-26 for 234 yards and 3 TDs, adding 31 rushing yards and 2 more TDs in a decisive 45-31 victory.
Perhaps most impressively, Huard’s offense absolutely dissected a formidable Michigan defense in a 31-13 win over the Wolverines. USC’s 489 total yards were the most Michigan had surrendered all season and since 2022. Averaging 7.2 yards per play, USC tore through a defense that hadn’t allowed more than 7 yards per play since their CFP semifinal loss to Georgia in 2021. The 31 points tied for the second-most points allowed by Michigan under Sherrone Moore and were the most allowed to an unranked opponent in his era.
From nurturing a star quarterback to devising strategies that break down elite defenses, Luke Huard’s influence on the USC program is unmistakable. The nomination for the Broyles Award is well-earned, and it is evident that with Huard leading the way, the USC offense is set to reach even higher levels.
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