After surprisingly moving on from Bennie Wylie last week, the USC Trojans have officially hired a new Director of Football Sports Performance.
There were reports that the Trojans were targeting Indiana’s Derek Ownings, but he opted to stay with the Hoosiers after receiving a nice little pay raise.
This morning, the USC Trojans program announced that they have hired Trumain Carroll to fill the vacant position.
A new era of physicality 💪
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) May 7, 2025
Please welcome @CoachTruCarroll as our Director of Football Sports Performance! pic.twitter.com/QsGN3PcpcG
“Coach Carroll is an accomplished strength and conditioning professional who has consistently trained his teams to compete at the highest level,” Coach Riley said in a statement put out by the program. “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.”
USC Trojans Hire Trumain Carroll As Director Of Football Sports Performance
Carroll is a 19-year veteran coaching strength and conditioning, and spent the last five seasons with Kansas State.
According to the Kansas State website, Carroll had been an integral part of the program’s ability to change the culture over the past four seasons and instilling their four core values of Commitment, Toughness, Discipline, and Selflessness.
meet new USC S&C director Tru Carroll ✌🏻 pic.twitter.com/3l9GGWmtcg
— Arrogant Nation✌🏻 (@FightOnRusty) May 7, 2025
During his time there, K-State went 36-17 and won three bowl games, including the 2022 Big 12 Championship over 3rd-ranked TCU. K-State was one of only five Power 4 teams to win at least nine games in each of the last three seasons, including at least one conference championship.
Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans are trying to employ a culture of toughness as they look to fare better in the Big Ten this season, and Carroll will be tasked with helping them get there.
Prior to Kansas State, Carroll spent time at South Florida, Arkansas, and SMU in the same role. He played football at Oklahoma State and also served as an assistant at his Alma Mater after graduating.