USC Football: Is Trojans Coach Eric Henderson Hinting at Aaron Donald Joining Staff?

Aaron Donald has officially retired, could coaching be in his future?

Perennial defensive edge for the Los Angeles Rams, Aaron Donald, has called it a career. The famed quarterback chaser took to social media to announce that he was riding off into the sunset. Donald is one of the best to ever play the game, and should no doubt be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. 

Donald also has strong ties to Eric Henderson, who came from the Rams to join the USC Trojans as co-defensive coordinator, defensive line coach, and run game coordinator. 

Henderson and Donald spent plenty of time together as Henderson was the defensive line coach for the Rams from 2021 to 2023. 

With his retirement, people are naturally going to wonder if Donald will pursue other aspects of NFL life. He could become an analyst, or coach, or simply enjoy his retirement.

A fan on X proposed a theory that Donald misses working with Henderson, and would likely try to find his way onto the Trojan's staff. While that is just wild speculation, Henderson fueled the fire to the rumor by responding. 

👀#DAWGWORK🐕 @AaronDonald97 @USC_Athletics @USCFootballNews @uscfb https://t.co/rFaEqDa367 pic.twitter.com/EasgKKNJ0j

— Eric Henderson (@Coach_Henny) March 15, 2024

Henderson used his "DAWG WORK" catchphrase while also adding a shrugging emoji along with wide eyes. While this might only look to be Henderson simply wondering the same, he might know something that we don't. 

Henderson and Donald were photographed earlier this year sporting the #DAWGWORK hashtag on their socials. For all we know, Donald might have been speaking to Henderson during the offseason and spun the wheels on the potential that he could join the Trojans for the 2024 season. 

This is just wild speculation at this point, but the Trojans have also been hard at work retooling the defensive staff, and adding someone like Donald would put this staff over the edge in terms of talent.