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USC Moves Swiftly to Replace Popular Strength Coach

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Lorenzo J. Reyna | Last updated May 7, 2025 4:10 PM ET

The USC Trojans pulled a stunner by parting ways with popular strength and conditioning coach Bennie Wylie. USC and Lincoln Riley now have his replacement lined up.

The school announced Trumain Carroll as USC's director of sports performance Tuesday. USC won't be Carroll's first power conference stop.

He previously led the Kansas State strength and conditioning program. He joined the Big 12 university in 2021. The Wildcats went a combined 36-17 with Carroll getting KSU right physically and mentally on the strength and conditioning side.

Riley made the tough decision to part ways with Wylie, as he was one of his first staff hires at USC. The head coach released a statement about Carroll's hire.

"Coach Carroll is an accomplished strength and conditioning professional who has consistently trained his teams to compete at the highest level," Riley said in a statement. "His ability to develop players with an emphasis on a strong team culture has been evident throughout his career. He will have a tremendous impact on our program. We're excited to welcome Trumain and his family to USC."

Outside of the Big 12, Carroll knows something about training players in the Southeastern Conference. He served as director of strength and conditioning at Arkansas from 2018 to 2019. He moved on to South Florida in 2020.

Carroll also spent 2015 to 2017 with SMU. Courtland Sutton was one Mustangs star he helped train before heading to the NFL. He also led the S&C program at Oklahoma State, his alma mater.

Carroll lined up at defensive end for the Cowboys from 2001 to 2005 -- winning three bowl games with them.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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