COACHING STAFF
ASSISTANT HEAD COACH | DENNIS SIMMONS
Outside Wide Receivers Coach / Offensive Passing Game Coordinator
Dennis Simmons, who has coached some of the collegiate game's elite receivers, joined the USC staff as the assistant head coach, outside wide receivers coach and offensive passing game coordinator in December of 2021.
Simmons, 48, spent the previous 7 seasons (2015-21) at Oklahoma as the outside receivers coach. He added the associate head coach title in 2019 and 2020 and the assistant head coach and passing game coordinator roles in 2021. He was named one of the nation's Top 25 recruiters by Rivals in 2019. He coached a trio of All-American first team wide receivers at Oklahoma: 2016 Biletnikoff Award winner, Heisman Trophy finalist and unanimous All-American Dede Westbrook (81 catches for 1,524 yards and 17 TDs), Marquise Brown in 2018 (1,318 receiving yards and 10 TDs) and 2019 Biletnikoff finalist and consensus All-American CeeDee Lamb (62 catches for 1,327 yards with 14 TDs). During his tenure, Oklahoma played in the 2015 Orange Bowl (College Football Playoff semifinal), 2017 Sugar Bowl, 2018 Rose Bowl (CFP semifinal), 2018 Orange Bowl (CFP semifinal), 2019 Peach Bowl (CFP semifinal), 2020 Cotton Bowl and 2021 Alamo Bowl.
He was the outside receivers coach at Washington State for 3 years (2012-14). The Cougars led the nation in passing offense (477.7) in 2014, throwing for a Pac-12 record 5,732 yards, and were seventh in total offense and ninth in completion percentage when wideout Vince Mayle tied for fourth nationally in receptions (106) and was fifth in receiving yards (1,483). In 2013, WSU was fourth in the nation in passing offence (368.0) and set a Pac-12 record with 470 completions while playing in the New Mexico Bowl.
He spent 2010 and 2011 as East Carolina's outside receivers coach. Wide receiver Lance Lewis was an All-Conference USA pick in 2010 (89 catches for 1,116 yards with 14 TDs), just the third Pirate ever with a 1,000-yard receiving season. ECU played in the 2010 Military Bowl.
He was Texas Tech's outside receivers coach for 2 years (2008-09). In 2008, wide receiver Michael Crabtree repeated as the Biletnikoff winner and consensus All-American (97 receptions, 1,165 yards, 19 TDs). In 2009, wideout Alex Torres was a Freshman All-American. The Red Raiders played in the 2008 Cotton Bowl and 2010 Alamo Bowl.
Simmons spent 2000 to 2007 in non-coaching roles at Texas Tech. He first was an assistant athletic director/quality control for the football program, then served as the chief of staff for head coach Mike Leach for 3 years (2005-07).
He coached running backs at Cornell in 1999, where also held was an assistant athletics director and chief of staff. He served as an NFL Minority Fellowship intern with the Buffalo Bills in the summer of 1999.
He began his coaching career at BYU, his alma mater, where he worked with the offensive line and special teams in 1997.
He played outside linebacker at BYU (1993-96), where he started the final 3 years. The Cougars won 4 Western Athletic Conference titles and played in the Cotton, Copper, Holiday and Aloha Bowls.
He earned his bachelor's degree in broadcast communications in 1996 and a master's degree in educational leadership in 1999, both from BYU.
He prepped at Kirby High in Memphis (Tenn.).
He was born on September 8, 1973. He and his wife, LaTosha, have a daughter, Kendyll, and son, Kannon.
JOSH HENSON
Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line
Josh Henson, who has 23 years of coaching experience primarily in the SEC and Big 12 and has been part of a national championship staff, joined the USC staff as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in December of 2021.
Henson, 46, spent the past 3 seasons (2019-21) as the offensive line coach at Texas A&M. Guard Kenyon Green was a two-time All-American first teamer (2020-2021), center Bryce Foster and offensive tackle Reuben Fatheree II made Freshman All-American first team and A&M was 22nd nationally in tackles for loss allowed. In 2020, when the offensive line was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, the Aggies ranked in the Top 5 nationally in sacks allowed and TFL allowed and were the first team in 10 years to lead the SEC in sacks allowed, tackles for loss allowed and yards per carry. A&M earned berths in the 2019 Texas Bowl, 2021 Orange Bowl and 2021 Gator Bowl.
Before that, Henson spent 3 seasons (2016-18) at Oklahoma State, his alma mater. He spent 2016 as an offensive analyst, then coached the offensive line in 2017 and 2018. The 2017 Cowboys led the nation in passing offense, ranked second in total offense and first downs, third in pass efficiency and fourth in scoring offense while becoming the first offense in Big 12 history with a 4,000-yard passer, a pair of 1,000-yard receivers and a 1,000-yard rusher. In 2018, OSU ranked in the national Top 15 in scoring offense, total offense, passing offense and first downs. The Cowboys played in the 2016 Alamo Bowl, 2017 Camping World Bowl and 2018 Liberty Bowl
He spent 7 years (2009-15) at Missouri, the first 4 (2009-12) as the co-offensive line coach and the last 3 (2013-15) as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Four of his offensive linemen were NFL draftees. The Tigers won back-to-back SEC East titles in 2013 and 2014. Missouri appeared in 5 bowls during his time: the 2009 Texas Bowl, 2010 Insight Bowl, 2011 Independence Bowl, 2014 Cotton Bowl and 2015 Citrus Bowl.
He was LSU's tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator for 4 seasons (2005-08), including with the Tigers' 2007 national championship squad. He helped assemble Top 10 recruiting classes in 2006 and 2007 when he was named one of college football's Top 25 recruiters by Rivals.com. LSU played in the 2005 Peach Bowl, 2007 Sugar Bowl, 2008 BCS National Championship Game and 2008 Chick-Fil-A Bowl.
He served as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma State in 1999, then was the Cowboys' tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator for 4 years (2001-04). Oklahoma State was in the 2002 Houston Bowl, 2004 Cotton Bowl and 2004 Alamo Bowl.
He got his coaching start as an assistant at Kingfisher (Okla.) High in 1998, helping the team to the state semifinals.
He started 37 games on the offensive line at Oklahoma State during his career (1993-97), earning All-Big 12 second team honors as a 1997 senior.
He received his bachelor's degree in secondary education from Oklahoma State in 1998.
He prepped at Tuttle (Okla.) High.
He was born on July 14, 1975. He and his wife, Shauna, have a daughter, Kate, and son Will.
DONTE WILLIAMS
Defensive Backs / Defensive Passing Game Coordinator
Donte Williams who has more than a dozen years of experience coaching defensive backs and is regarded as one of the nation's top recruiters, remains on the USC staff in 2022 as defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator after serving as the Trojans' interim head coach in 2021.
He was named USC's cornerbacks coach and defensive pass game coordinator in February of 2020. In December of 2020, he added the title of associate head coach. Then, on Sept. 13, 2021, he was named USC's interim head coach after head coach Clay Helton was relieved of his duties. He had a 3-7 overall record as interim head coach. Cornerback Chris Steele made All-Pac-12 honorable mention in 2021.
In 2020, Steele made All-Pac-12 second team, while cornerback Olaijah Griffin was ranked the Pac-12's No. 3 cornerback by Pro Football Focus. USC's pass defense allowed just 216.3 yards, its fewest since 2013. Williams was named the nation's third best recruiter (No. 1 in the Pac-12 for the second consecutive year) by 247Sports.
Williams spent the previous 2 seasons (2018-19) as Oregon's cornerbacks coach. The Ducks were second in the nation in interceptions in 2019 (with 20) and 11th in 2018 (17). Oregon played in the 2018 Redbox Bowl and then won the 2019 Pac-12 championship and played in the Rose Bowl. He was named the nation's seventh best recruiter (No. 1 in the Pac-12) for the class of 2020 by 247Sports.
In 2017, he coached Nebraska's cornerbacks, nickelbacks and dimebacks as well as helping with the Cornhuskers' pass defense coordination.
Williams, 39, was the cornerbacks coach at Arizona in 2016.
Prior to that, he spent 3 seasons (2013-15) at San Jose State, coaching the cornerbacks the first season and serving as the secondary coach and recruiting coordinator the final 2 seasons. In 2014, the Spartans' pass defense (117.8) and passing touchdowns allowed (6) were tops in the nation, improving 85 and 102 spots, respectively, in the national rankings from the previous year. Then in 2015, as SJSU played in the Cure Bowl, the Spartans were second nationally in pass defense (157.8) and 29th in passing TDs allowed (16). He also was named a Top 10 national recruiter by Sports Illustrated in 2015 after being selected as the Mountain West's best recruiter in 2014 by 247Sports.
He was a graduate assistant at Washington in 2011 and 2012, working with the cornerbacks and linebackers. The Huskies played in the 2011 Alamo Bowl and 2012 Las Vegas Bowl. In the summer of 2012, he was a summer coaching intern with the NFL's Seattle Seahawks.
He spent 2010 as a quality control coach at Nevada, helping with the linebackers. The Wolfpack played in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl that season.
He began his coaching career as a cornerbacks coach at the junior college level, first at Los Angeles Harbor College in 2007, then El Camino College in 2008 and Mt. San Antonio College in 2009.
He played football at Culver City (Calif.) High.
He then played defensive back at Pasadena (Calif.) City College in 2002, Syracuse in 2003 and Idaho State in 2004 and 2005. He was an All-Big Sky first teamer and team captain both seasons at Idaho State.
He received his bachelor's degree in communication from Idaho State in 2006.
He then played 2 seasons in the Arena Football League 2, for the Rio Grande Valley Dorados (2007) and Arkansas Twisters (2008).
He was born on Sept. 1, 1982. His wife's name is Jayna. He has a son, King. His cousins are former USC defensive backs Kris Richard (1998-2001), who played with the NFL's Seattle Seahawks (2002-04) and San Francisco 49ers (2005) and then coached with USC, Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints, and Darnell Lacy (1996-98).
ROY MANNING
Outside Linebackers / Nickels / Assistant Head Coach for Defense
Roy Manning, a former Big Ten and NFL linebacker who has coached in three Power 5 conferences, joined the USC staff as the outside linebackers coach, nickels coach and assistant head coach for defense in December of 2021.
Manning, 40, spent the past 3 seasons as Oklahoma's cornerbacks coach. In 2020, OU was third nationally in interceptions (16) and ninth in pass efficiency defense (112.9). The Sooner defense only gave up 12 passing TD's in 11 games, the fewest in the country by teams that played 9 or more games. Cornerback Tre Brown was an NFL Draft fourth round pick in 2021 and cornerback Parnell Motley was an All-Big 12 first team selection in 2019. The Sooners played in the 2021 Alamo Bowl, won the Big 12 crown and played the Cotton Bowl in 2020 and won the Big 12 title and played in a College Football semifinal in the Peach Bowl in 2019.
He was UCLA's outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator in 2018. The Bruins special teams improved from 65th to 20th in the college football S&P+ rankings.
He coached outside linebackers at Washington State from 2015 to 2017. In 2017, the Cougars ranked 16th nationally in total defense (323.3), ninth in passing defense (170.9) and ninth in turnovers gained (28) while allowing only 11 touchdown passes and posting 103 tackles for loss. In 2016, WSU's outside linebackers combined for 16 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and six turnovers, while they combined for 26.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and 146 tackles in 2015. The Cougars played in the 2015 Sun Bowl and 2016 and 2017 Holiday Bowls.
He served the previous 2 seasons (2013-14) at Michigan, coaching outside linebackers in 2013 and cornerbacks in 2014. Wolverine linebackers Cam Gordon and Jake Ryan combined for 70 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 5 sacks in 2013 while defensive back Raymon Taylor earned All-Big Ten honors in 2014. Michigan played in the 2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. From 2011-14, the Michigan defense ranked among the top 20 nationally in 3 of the 4 seasons in total defense, pass defense and scoring defenses. Manning helped turn around this unit that in 2010 ranked 110th in total defense, 112th in passing defense and 108th in scoring defense.
He was the running backs coach at Cincinnati in 2012, helping the Bearcats lead the Big East in rushing with 201.5 yards per game. Running back George Winn had the second-best rushing season in school history with 1,334 yards (102.6 per game) and 13 touchdowns, both conference bests. Cincinnati played in the 2012 Belk Bowl.
In 2011, he was an offensive graduate assistant at Michigan, where he worked with the offensive line. The Wolverines played in the Sugar Bowl.
His first coaching experience came in 2010 at Cincinnati, where he worked as a defensive assistant.
Manning was a linebacker at Michigan (2001-04), appearing in 37 games in his career (including 10 starts as a 2004 redshirt senior). He had 72 tackles, including 9 for losses (with 3 sacks) in his career.
He earned his bachelor's degree in general studies from Michigan in 2004.
He then played 3 years in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers (2005) Houston Texans (2006), Buffalo Bills (2006), Jacksonville Jaguars (2007) and Cincinnati Bengals (2007).
Manning starred in 4 sports (football, basketball, baseball and track) at Saginaw (Mich.) High. He was inducted into the Saginaw Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
He was born on Dec. 4, 1981 in Saginaw, Mich. He has a son, Malakai, and daughter, Olivia.
BRIAN ODOM
Inside Linebackers / Associate Head Coach for Defense
Brian Odom, who has a dual background in coaching linebackers and sports performance, joined the USC staff as the inside linebackers coach and associate head coach for defense in December of 2021.
Odom, 40, spent the previous 3 years (2019-21) as the inside linebackers coach at Oklahoma. The Sooners ranked 24thnationally in rushing defense in 2021 (123.8) and advanced to the Alamo Bowl. In 2020 while winning the Big 12 title and playing in the Cotton Bowl, OU was fourth in the nation in opponent third-down conversion percentage (27.9), seventh in sacks (3.4) and ninth in both pass efficiency defense (112.9) and rushing defense (105.1) while allowing just 21.7 points per game. Oklahoma was 17th in the nation in opponent third-down conversion percentage (32.2) in 2019 when OU won the Big 12 crown and played in a College Football Playoff semifinal in the Peach Bowl. Linebacker Kenneth Murray was an All-Big 12 first team selection in 2019 and an NFL first round pick in 2020.
He was the outside linebackers coach at Missouri in 2017 and 2018. The Tigers were 22nd nationally in rushing defense (122.9) in 2017. Linebacker Terez Hall played in the NFL. Missouri played in the 2017 Texas Bowl and 2018 Liberty Bowl.
He was a defensive quality control assistant at Washington State for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. The Cougars played in the 2015 Sun Bowl and 2016 Holiday Bowl.
Odom spent 3 years (2012-14) as the co-director of sports performance for Houston's football program. The Cougars were in the 2014 BBVA Compass Bowl and 2015 Armed Forces Bowl.
He spent 7 years (2005-11) working with the football performance program at Arizona, the first 2 as assistant director of performance enhancement and the last 5 as associate director of performance enhancement. Additionally, for 5 seasons (2006-10) he assisted Arizona's football operations director by coordinating advance travel arrangements for all away games. The Wildcats played in the 2008 Las Vegas Bowl, 2009 Holiday Bowl and 2010 Alamo Bowl.
He began his career in athletics as an administrative and defensive graduate assistant at Missouri for the first half of 2005. The Tigers played in the Independence Bowl.
He attended Oklahoma for 2 seasons (2000-01), redshirting as a running back on the Sooners' 2000 national championship team (he won the team's Iron Man Award that season for his performance in the weight room) and then lettering in 2001 while playing primarily on special teams.
He then transferred to Southeastern Oklahoma State, where he was a 3-year (2002-04) starting tailback. He earned All-Lone Star Conference first team honors as a senior in 2004.
He earned his bachelor's degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State in 2004.
He was Oklahoma's High School Player of the Year in 1999 as a running back at Ada (Okla.) High.
He was born July 2, 1981. He and his wife, Mackenzie, have 2 sons, Benjamin and Brock. His older brother, Barry, was the head football coach at Missouri (2016-19) and now is Arkansas' defensive coordinator.
SHAUN NUA
Defensive Line
Shaun Nua, a former NFL Super Bowl-winning defensive end who has coaching experience in the Pac-12 and Big Ten, joined the USC staff as defensive line coach in January of 2022.
Nua, 40, spent the past 3 seasons (2019-21) as Michigan's defensive line coach. Defensive end Kwity Paye was a first round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. In 2021, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was a consensus All-American first teamer, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Academic All-American first teamer when he won the Lombardi Award, Hendricks Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy. Michigan was 21st nationally in sacks (2.77) in 2019 and held 7 teams under 100 rushing yards. UM defensive linemen posted 23 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks in 2019 and followed that with 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The Wolverines played in the 2020 Citrus Bowl and 2021 CFP semifinals in the Orange Bowl.
He was the defensive line coach at Arizona State in 2018. Defensive lineman Russell Wren was a fourth round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. The Sun Devils played in the 2018 Las Vegas Bowl.
He spent 6 seasons (2012-17) as the defensive line coach at the U.S. Naval Academy. Defensive end Will Anthony was All-American Athletic Conference first team in 2015. The Midshipmen won a school-record 11 games, finished 18th in both polls and shared the AAC West Division title in 2015, their first season in the AAC. In 2016, Navy played in the AAC Championship Game. During his tenure, Navy beat Army 4 times, won 3 Commander-In-Chief's Trophies and played in a bowl each season (2012 Fight Hunger Bowl, 2013 Armed Forces Bowl, 2014 Poinsettia Bowl, 2015 Military Bowl, 2016 Armed Forces Bowl and 2017 Military Bowl).
He began his coaching career at BYU, his alma mater, serving as an intern in 2009 and then a graduate assistant coach working with the defense. BYU was 24th nationally in total defense in 2010 and 13th in 2011. The Cougars appeared in the 2009 Las Vegas Bowl, 2010 New Mexico Bowl and 2011 Armed Forces Bowl.
He played 4 seasons (2005-08) in the NFL, the first 3 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and 2008 with the Buffalo Bills. He was a member of the Steelers' Super Bowl XL-winning team in 2006.
He was a defensive end at BYU for 3 seasons (2002-04), earning All-Mountain West second team honors in 2004.
He earned his bachelor's degree in youth and family recreation in 2005 and a master's degree in recreation management in 2013, both from BYU.
He was a Junior College All-American at Eastern Arizona Junior College before transferring to BYU.
He attended Tafuna High in American Samoa.
He was born on May 22, 1991. He and his wife, Hilary, have 3 children: Losi, Kelina and Malia. He is the son of Sao and Usu Nua. His cousin, Ianeta Le'i, played softball (first base) for 4 seasons (2003-06) at BYU, where she was a 3-time All-American and then served as an assistant coach (2007-13). His cousin, Devin Tavana, was an offensive lineman at Southern Utah (2010-11).
KIEL MCDONALD
Running Backs
Kiel McDonald, who has tutored some of the Pac-12's top running backs in recent years, joined the USC staff as running backs coach in January of 2022.
He spent the previous 5 seasons (2017-21) as Utah's running backs coach. During his time, Utah led the Pac-12 in rushing in 2021 with All-Pac-12 first teamer Tavion Thomas eclipsing the 1,000-yard rushing barrier (he set Utah's single-season rushing TD record with 21) and in 2019 as All-American first teamer and Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year Zack Moss achieved his third consecutive 1,000-yard season and became the program's all-time leading rusher (he set or tied 8 school records). The late Ty Jordan was a Freshman All-American, AP Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year and the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2020 while averaging 119.4 rushing yards (tops among FBS freshmen). The Utes won the Pac-12 South Division title in 2018-19-21 and were Pac-12 champs in 2021. They played in the 2017 Heart of Dallas Bowl, 2018 Holiday Bowl, 2019 Alamo Bowl and 2022 Rose Bowl.
Before coming to Utah, the 38-year-old McDonald spent 5 years as the running backs coach at Eastern Washington (2012-16), where he was also the co-special teams' coordinator. Inheriting a run game that averaged just 79.0 yards in 2011, he helped the rushing attack improve to 183.7 yards per game by his second season. The Eagles made the FCS playoffs 4 times during his time there, advancing to the national semifinals in 2012, 2013 and 2016 and to the quarterfinals in 2014.
McDonald was a graduate assistant offensive quality control coach at Arizona State in 2011, as the Sun Devils played in the Las Vegas Bowl.
He spent 2010 as the defensive backs and strength coach at San Jose City College in 2010. He also interned with the San Francisco 49ers in 2010, helping with the secondary.
He also coached at Gunderson High in San Jose (Calif.) and was a strength coach at Marshall Performance and Fitness in San Jose.
He was a cornerback at Sacramento City College in 2002 and 2003, earning All-NorCal Conference honorable mention as a sophomore. He played 2 games at Arizona in 2004 before an injury ended his season. He transferred to Sacramento State for the 2005 season, where he won Big Sky All-Academic honors, and then to Idaho in 2006, where he had 31 tackles, 5 pass breakups and an interception in 2006.
He earned his bachelor's degree in business communication from Sacramento State in 2006.
He prepped at Thomas B. Doherty High in Colorado Spring (Colo.), where he lettered in football, hockey, baseball and track.
He is from Milpitas, Calif. and was born on April 22, 1983. His first name is pronounced Kyle.
ZACH HANSON
Tight Ends
Zach Hanson, regarded as one of the game's top young coaches, joined the USC staff as the tight ends coach in December of 2021.
Hanson, 33, spent the past 2 seasons (2020-21) as the offensive line coach at Tulsa. He coached Tyler Smith, who was a Freshman All-American and an All-American Athletic Conference first team pick in 2020. Offensive tackle Chris Paul has received an invitation to the 2022 NFL Combine and the 2022 Senior Bowl. In his two seasons at Tulsa, Hanson had 7 offensive linemen earn All-American Athletic Conference honors. The Golden Hurricane played in the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl and 2021 Myrtle Beach Bowl. Tulsa also played in the 2020 American Athletic Conference championship against Cincinnati.
He was a senior offensive analyst at Oklahoma in 2019 when the Sooners played in the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Peach Bowl.
In 2018, he was the tight ends coach and assistant offensive line coach at Kansas State, his alma mater.
He spent 2016 and 2017 at North Carolina as a graduate assistant for special teams. The Tar Heels led the nation in punt return defense (0.2) and were second in kickoff returns (26.97) in 2016. Punter Tom Sheldon was a Freshman All-American in 2017. North Carolina was in the 2016 Sun Bowl.
He began his coaching career at Kansas State for 4 seasons (2012-15), serving as an offensive quality control coach in 2012 and then the final 3 years as an offensive graduate assistant. He worked with the offensive line during his first 3 years there and with the wide receivers in 2015. The Wildcats, who won the Big 12 Championship in 2012, played in the 2013 Fiesta Bowl, 2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, 2015 Alamo Bowl and 2016 Liberty Bowl.
Hanson was an offensive tackle at Kansas State (2008-11), earning 2011 All-Big 12 first team and Academic All-Big 12 second team accolades. He appeared in 37 games in his career, including starting at left tackle in 2011 when the Wildcats went 10-3 and appeared in the Cotton Bowl. Kansas State also played in the 2010 Pinstripe Bowl.
He originally signed with Nevada out of high school but opted to attend Sacramento City College prior to going to Kansas State.
He earned a bachelor's degree in social sciences in 2010 and his master's degree in sociology in 2014, both from Kansas State.
He prepped at Linden (Calif.) High.
He was born on Feb. 13, 1988. His wife, Annie, is USC's executive director of football recruiting.
LUKE HUARD
Inside Wide Receivers Coach
Luke Huard, who comes from a family of outstanding quarterbacks, joined the USC staff in February of 2022 as an offensive analyst. In March, he took over as interim inside wide receivers coach while Dave Nichol was away from the program for a personal matter.
Huard, 42, spent the previous 3 seasons (2019-21) as an offensive analyst at Texas A&M. The Aggies earned berths in the 2019 Texas Bowl, 2021 Orange Bowl and 2021 Gator Bowl.
Before that, he was the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Sacramento State for 2 seasons (2017-18). The Hornets averaged 486.0 total yards and 37.6 points (fifth nationally) in 2017 as quarterback Kevin Thomson set several school season records, and then averaged 402.8 total yards in 2018.
He was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Georgia State for 4 seasons (2013-16). GSU quarterbacks Ronnie Bell and Nick Arbuckle set numerous school records, including Arbuckle’s Sun Belt records in 2015 for passing yards (4,368) and total offense (4,273). Arbuckle, who ranked sixth nationally in passing yards per game in 2015, was the Sun Belt’s Student-Athlete of the Year that season. Nine Georgia State pass catchers earned All-Sun Belt honors during Huard’s tenure. The Panthers played in the 2015 and 2017 Cure Bowl.
He was at Illinois State for 4 seasons (2009-12), the first as the quarterbacks coach and then adding the offensive coordinator duties the next 3 years. In 2012, the Redbirds led the Missouri Valley Football Conference in passing and total offense while scoring more than 30 points per game, and they advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. Quarterback Matt Brown was a 3-time All-Conference selection, and was the 2009 MVFC Newcomer of the Year and 2012 MVFC Offensive Player of the Year.
Huard was a graduate assistant at Washington in 2007 and 2008, working with the quarterbacks. Quarterback Jake Locker was the Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year in 2007 (he went on to be an NFL first round pick).
Huard started his coaching career in 2002 as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Washington High in Tacoma (Wash.).
He then spent 4 years (2003-06) as the head coach at Interlake High in Bellevue (Wash.). In 2004, he led the team to its first winning season in 10 years. That same year, he also was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Eastside Hawks, a semi-pro team that went 10-0 in 2004 and won the Northwest Football League title.
After being named Washington’s 1997 Gatorade Player of the Year as a quarterback at Puyallup High, he played at North Carolina for 3 seasons (1998-2000) before a shoulder injury ended his career. He started 4 games as a redshirt freshman in 1999.
He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from North Carolina in 2002.
His brothers, Damon and Brock, were quarterbacks at Washington and in the NFL. Damon played at Washington (1991-95), including on UW’s 1991 national champions, and then with the Miami Dolphins (1997-2000), New England Patriots (2001-2003, including on the Super Bowl XXXVI and XXXVIII champs), and Kansas City Chiefs (2004-08), and now is director of community and external relations and special advisor to the athletic director at Washington as well as an analyst on Husky football radio broadcasts. Brock played at Washington (1995-98), then with the Seattle Seahawks (1999-2001, 2004) and Indianapolis Colts (2002-03) and now is a college football analyst for FOX Sports and a sports radio host in Seattle. His father, Mike, was inducted into the Washington State Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame in 2011 after 17 seasons as the head coach at Puyallup High, winning the state title in 1987. His nephew, Sam, is a redshirt freshman quarterback at Washington, while his niece, Haley, is a freshman guard on Montana’s basketball team. His sister-in-law, Molly, played basketball at Washington (1995-99).
He was born on Oct. 1, 1979. He and his wife, Dolly, have 2 daughters.
BENNIE WYLIE
Director of Football Sports Performance
Bennie Wylie, one of the top strength and conditioning coaches in the country, joined the USC staff as the director of football sports performance in December of 2021.
Wylie, 45, spent the previous 4 years (2018-21) as Oklahoma’s director of sports performance for football. The Sooners won the Big 12 title in 2018, 2019 and 2020, made a pair of College Football Playoff semifinal appearances in 2018 and 2019 (in the Orange and Peach Bowls, respectively) and also played in the Cotton Bowl in the 2020 season and the Alamo Bowl in 2021.
Prior to arriving at OU, he served as director of performance at The Performance Lab, a private group-training strength and fitness center in Abilene, Tex. He also provided training and obstacle fitness to United States military personnel as a staff member of Alpha Warrior.
He spent 3 years (2011-13) as strength and conditioning head coach for football at Texas. The Longhorns appeared in the 2011 Holiday Bowl and 2012 and 2013 Alamo Bowl.
He spent the 2010 season at Tennessee as strength and conditioning head coach for football. The Volunteers participated in the Music City Bowl.
He served 7 seasons (2003-09) as head strength and conditioning coach at Texas Tech. The Red Raiders competed in bowl games in each season: 2003 Houston Bowl, 2004 Holiday Bowl, 2006 Cotton Bowl, 2006 Insight Bowl, 2008 Gator Bowl, 2009 Cotton Bowl and 2010 Alamo Bowl.
He was an assistant strength and conditioning coach with the Dallas Cowboys from 1999 to 2002, helping rehabilitate injured players. He also spent the spring seasons heading the strength and conditioning program for the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League.
He got his start in strength and conditioning as a graduate assistant at Sam Houston State in 1998 and was named the Bearkats’ interim head strength and conditioning coach that same year.
He is certified by the Titleist Performance Institute and USA Weightlifting and was named a Master Strength and Conditioning Coach by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association in 2012.
He was a 4-year (1994-97) letterwinning running back at Sam Houston State, serving as the team captain in 1997 while earning All-Southland Conference second team honors. He also was on the Bearkats’ track and field team.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Sam Houston State in 1999.
He prepped at Mexia (Tex.) High.
He was born on July 11, 1976. He and his wife, Jennifer, have twin sons, Braden and Caden, and a daughter, Hope.
ZACH CRABTREE
Offensive Graduate Assistant / Offensive Line
Zach Crabtree enters his second season as a graduate assistant working with the offense. He joined the USC staff in January of 2022.
He spent the 2021 season at Oklahoma State working with the offensive line as an analyst.
He was a graduate assistant at Baylor from 2019-20 working with the offensive line.
Crabtree played for the Los Angeles Chargers from 2017-18, but retired due to a knee injury.
He was an offensive lineman at Oklahoma State for 5 seasons (2013-17). He played for Joe Wickline and current USC offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, Josh Henson. He started 46 games at right tackle as a Cowboy. As a senior in 2017, he earned First Team All-Big 12 (Football Coaches) and Second Team All-Big 12 (AP) honors. He was honored by the Oklahoma State coaching staff with the Vernon Grant Award for outstanding leadership, spirit and enthusiasm. As a junior in 2016, he made the All-Big 12 Second Team (Football Coaches.) In 2015, he earned the Vernon Grant Award from the coaching staff. He was awarded placement on the Big 12 All-Academic Second Team in 2014.
He received his bachelor’s degree in sports management from Oklahoma State in 2017.
He prepped at Mansfield HS in Mansfield, Texas.
He was born on September 16, 1994.
TREY TINSLEY
Offensive Graduate Assistant
Trey Tinsley joined the USC staff in January of 2023 as a graduate assistant working with the offense.
He spent the previous 3 seasons at Mississippi State working with the late coach Mike Leach. He was a quality control analyst in 2022, and a graduate assistant from 2020-21, working with the quarterbacks and receivers.
He played quarterback at Fullerton Junior College and then transferred to Washington State where he played for 4 seasons (2016-19)
He received his bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Washington State in 2019, and his master’s degree in Workforce Educational Leadership from Mississippi State in 2021. He was a two-time Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention (2017 and 2018).
He prepped at El Toro HS in El Toro, Calif.
His father is Scott Tinsley, who played quarterback at USC from 1980-82 and later played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1987. He started 6 games for the Trojans and beat Notre Dame twice.
WILL JOHNSON
Defensive Graduate Assistant/Secondary
Will Johnson enters his second season as a graduate assistant working with the defense. He joined the USC staff in January of 2022.
He spent the previous 3 seasons (2019-21) at Oklahoma, the first as a volunteer analyst and the final 2 as a defensive graduate assistant. The Sooners played in the 2019 Peach Bowl (CFP semifinal), 2020 Cotton Bowl and 2021 Alamo Bowl.
He played at Monroe Junior College in New Rochelle (N.Y.) in 2014, then was a defensive back at Oklahoma for 3 seasons (2015-17), where he started 17 games in his career with 120 tackles, 8 deflections and 2 interceptions.
He received his bachelor’s degree in communication from Oklahoma in 2017.
He prepped at Calvert Hall College in Baltimore (Md.).
He was born on December 7, 1994.
PEYTON PELLUER
Defensive Graduate Assistant / Linebackers
Peyton Pelluer joined the USC staff in January of 2022 as a graduate assistant working with the defense.
He spent the previous 2 seasons (2020-21) as a volunteer assistant at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs played in the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl and 2021 Liberty Bowl.
He was a linebacker at Washington State for 6 seasons (2013-18), where he appeared in more games (54) than any player in program history (with 47 starts). He had 352 career tackles, including 35 for losses, 6.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries and 2 interceptions. In 2018, he was Defensive MVP of the Alamo Bowl. He was an Academic All-District first team choice in 2015 and 2016. While sidelined most of 2017 with an injury, he helped tutor the WSU linebackers as a student coach.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Washington State in 2018.
He was an All-State first teamer at 2-time state champion Skyline High in Sammamish (Wash.).
His father, Scott, was a linebacker at Washington State (1977-80) and with the New Orleans Saints (1981-86), then was an assistant coach at Boise State (1986-92), Northern Arizona (1993-95), Washington (1996-98, 2003-04), Skyline High (2000) and Arizona (2001-02). His brother, Tyler, was a linebacker at Montana (2005-08), and another brother, Cooper, was a linebacker and fullback at Washington (2010-12). His great grandfather, Carl Gustafson, was a flanker at Washington State (1925-27). His grandfather, Arnie, was an end at Washington State (1953-55) and then coached track at Yakima Valley College, Whitworth and Eastern Washington. His uncle, Steve, was a quarterback at Washington (1981-83) and with the Dallas Cowboys (1984-88), Kansas City Chiefs (1989-91), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1995) and Frankfurt Galaxy (1996-97). Another uncle, Arnie, was a linebacker at Stanford (1985-89). His brother-in-law is Tosh Lupoi, who played defensive line at California (2000-05) and has been an assistant coach at California (2008-11), Washington (2012-13), Alabama (2014-18), Cleveland Browns (2019), Atlanta Falcons (2020), Jacksonville Jaguars (2021) and Oregon (2022).
RYAN DOUGHERTY
Senior Special Team Analyst/Assistant Special Teams Coordinator
Ryan Dougherty joined the USC staff in January of 2022 as an analyst working with the special teams.
He spent the previous 5 seasons (2017-21) as the special teams analyst at Oklahoma. The Sooners played in the 2018 Rose Bowl (CFP semifinal), 2018 Orange Bowl (CFP semifinal), 2019 Peach Bowl (CFP semifinal), 2020 Cotton Bowl and 2021 Alamo Bowl.
He was the special teams coordinator and an offensive assistant at Lehigh in 2015 and 2016. Ed Mish was an All-Patriot League first team selection at punter and kicker in 2016, while Austin Devine was an all-league punter in 2015. The Mountain Hawks played in the 2016 FCS playoffs.
Before that, he was at East Carolina for 5 seasons (2010-14), the first 2 years as a special teams assistant and the last 3 as a graduate assistant working with the special teams and offense. While there, he worked with All-Conference USA punter Trent Tignor, placekicker Warren Harvey (ECU’s career scoring leader) and all-league punt returners Justin Hardy and Dwayne Harris, who both played in the NFL. East Carolina played in the 2010 Military Bowl, 2012 New Orleans Bowl, 2013 Beef ‘O’Brady’s Bowl and 2015 Birmingham Bowl.
He was an instructor with the National Kicking Service for 6 years (2004-09). He also was a football and soccer coach from 2007 to 2009 at William R. Boone High in Orlando (Fla.), his alma mater.
He was a punter at East Carolina (2003-06), where he set Conference USA career records for punts (237) and punting yardage (10,112).
He earned his bachelor’s degree in education in 2006 and master’s degree in health education in 2014, both from East Carolina.
He was an All-State punter at William R. Boone High, where he also played wide receiver and was on the soccer and track teams.
He was born on April 10, 1984.
KLIFF KINGSBURY
Senior Offensive Analyst
Kliff Kingsbury, who has head coaching experience at both the collegiate level and the NFL, joined the USC staff as a senior offensive analyst in April 2023.
At the collegiate level, Kingsbury, 43, has tutored such future NFL quarterbacks as two-time Super Bowl Champion Patrick Mahomes and fellow first rounder Johnny Manziel during his 2012 Heisman Trophy season, along with Case Keenum, Davis Webb and Nic Shimonek. At the NFL level, Kingsbury coached the 2019 No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick Kyler Murray, who won a Heisman Trophy while being coached by Riley at Oklahoma.
Kingsbury was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals for 4 seasons (2019-22). He went 28-37-1 during his time in Phoenix.
In 2019, the Cardinals had historic offensive improvement under Kingsbury. While going 5-10-1 (a two-game improvement from 2018), they were No. 13 in offensive efficiency and had the second-best ground game in the NFL, setting a franchise-record by averaging 5.03 yards per carry. Kyler Murray was named the 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
In 2020, the Cardinals improved to 8-8 to place third in the NFC West with 3 Pro Bowlers, and continued to progress under Kingsbury in the 2021 campaign with a hot 7-0 start and finished 11-6 with 5 Pro Bowlers. They placed second in the NFC West, losing in the Wild Card playoffs to the eventual Super Bowl LVI champs, the Los Angeles Rams. In 2021, the Cardinals ranked in the top-10 in the NFL in both scoring and total offense.
The Cardinals went 4-13 in 2022 placing fourth in the NFC West, but played without quarterback Murray for 6 games throughout the year due to a season-ending injury.
In December 2018, Kingsbury had a brief stop at USC as the Trojans' offensive coordinator before he was hired as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals on Jan. 8, 2019.
Kingsbury spent 6 seasons (2013-18) as the head coach at his alma mater Texas Tech, where he also called the plays for the Red Raiders' high-powered offense that each season ranked in the national Top 10 in passing yards and in the Top 20 in total offense. Each season during his tenure, his teams averaged at least 30 points per game (including twice over 40 points), 470 total yards (4 times over 500 yards) and 330 passing yards (twice over 460 yards). In 4 of those seasons, his teams also rushed for at least 140 yards per game.
Texas Tech went 8-5 in his initial 2013 season, including a win in the Holiday Bowl. The Red Raiders were second nationally in passing offense (392.8) and eighth in total offense (510.7) while averaging 35.8 points per game.
With a team plagued by injuries in 2014, running back DeAndre Washington became the first Red Raider to rush for 1,000 yards since 1998 (1,103). Texas Tech was fifth nationally in passing offense (351.1) and 10th in total offense (504.1) while scoring 30.5 points en route to a 4-8 record.
In 2015, Texas Tech was second in the country in total offense (579.5), passing offense (388.2) and scoring offense (a school-record 45.1). The Red Raiders were one of just two schools to score at least 25 points in every game that year. Mahomes, just a sophomore, threw for 4,653 yards with 36 touchdowns and became the youngest quarterback in NCAA history to amass 5,000 yards of total offense as he led the nation in that category (393.0). He also ran for 10 TDs. Wide receiver Jakeem Grant set the school career receiving yardage record (3,164), while Washington ran for 1,000 yards again (1,492), becoming the first Red Raider with consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons since 1995 and 1996. It was the first season ever that Tech had a 4,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver. The Red Raiders went 7-6, including their first win at Texas since 1997, and played in the Texas Bowl.
Texas Tech led the nation in total offense (566.6) and passing offense (463.0) in 2016 and was fifth in scoring offense (43.7). Mahomes won the Sammy Baugh Trophy as he led the nation in passing (421.0), throwing for 5,052 yards (he was just the third quarterback ever to have back-to-back years with 5,000-plus yards of total offense) and 41 touchdowns while adding 12 rushing TDs. Tech went 5-7 in 2016.
The 2017 Red Raiders advanced to the Birmingham Bowl and finished with a 6-7 record. Behind Shimonek, Tech was ninth nationally in passing offense (333.7) and 16th in total offense (474.6).
In 2018, the Red Raiders ranked fourth nationally in passing offense (352.6), 12th in total offense (485.2) and 16th in scoring offense (37.3). Texas Tech had a 5-7 mark, giving Kingsbury a 6-year overall head coaching record of 35-40.
Kingsbury began his coaching career at Houston for 4 seasons, first as the offensive quality control coach for 2 years (2008-09), then as the Cougars' quarterback coach in 2010 and adding co-offensive coordinator duties in 2011. Houston led the nation in total offense (599.1), passing offense (450.1) and scoring (49.3) in 2011, while Keenum completed his record-setting career as the most prolific passer in NCAA FBS history (he was seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting and won the Sammy Baugh Trophy). Kingsbury was named FootballScoop.com Offensive Coordinator of the Year. In 2010, freshman quarterback David Piland replaced an injured Keenum early in the season and was third nationally in passing yards (330.1), earning Freshman All-American honors. Houston played in the 2008 and 2009 Armed Forces Bowl and beat Penn State in the 2012 TicketCity Bowl.
Kingsbury spent 2012 as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Texas A&M, helping Manziel become the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. The Aggies were third nationally in total offense (558.5), sporting a balanced attack that was 13th nationally in rushing offense (242.1) and 14th in passing offense (316.5). Texas A&M beat No. 1 Alabama on the road and No. 11 Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl. For the second consecutive season, Kingsbury was the FootballScoop.com Offensive Coordinator of the Year.
Kingsbury had a record-setting career as a quarterback at Texas Tech from 1999 to 2002, the last 3 seasons playing under head coach Mike Leach. In his career, he had more than 12,000 passing yards and total yards, with 1,000-plus completions, making him only the third player in NCAA history to accomplish all 3 feats. He set 39 school records, 16 Big 12 marks and 17 NCAA records. As a 2002 senior, he won the Sammy Baugh Trophy and was the Associated Press Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.
He received his bachelor's degree in management from Texas Tech in 2001. He was a National Football Foundation Post-Graduate Scholarship winner and was the CoSIDA Academic All-America Player of the Year in 2002.
He was the New England Patriots' sixth round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. He spent 2003 on injured reserve with the Patriots, then was on the New Orleans Saints' practice squad in 2004. He played for the New York Jets in 2005, appearing in 1 game, then attended the Buffalo Bills' training camp in 2006. He played for the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe in 2006, then signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League in 2007 before spending that season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
He played football for his father, Tim, at New Braunfels (Tex.) High, and also was on the baseball, basketball and track teams. He threw for 3,009 yards and 34 touchdowns as a senior. He was a 2018 inductee into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame.
DEREK FA'AVI
Offensive Analyst
Derek Fa’avi enters his second season as an analyst working with the offense. He joined the USC staff in June of 2022.
He previously was the Director of Player Development at Hawai'i beginning in March of 2022.
He spent the previous 2 years as director of operations for Raising Champions LLC, a private quarterback training company.
Prior to that, Fa’avi coached at Adams State for 4 years (2016-19), serving as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
He spent 6 years in Japan (2010-16), coaching at Nojima Sagamihara Rise organization in the Japan X-League as offensive line coach and recruiter. He helped the club win the X2 championship in 2010 as the offensive line allowed only two sacks all season. In his final 2 years in Japan, also coached at Keio University as offensive line coach.
He began his coaching career at Campbell High School in Ewa Beach, Oahu for 2 seasons.
He was an offensive linemen at Hawai’i from 2002-05 and made 37 career starts at center. He received the team's Alec Waterhouse Most Valuable Player as a senior in 2005.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Hawai’i in 2005, and his master's degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Coaching from Adams State in 2020.
He prepped at Campbell High School on Oahu (Hawai’i).
He was born on September 9, 1983. His wife’s name is Veronica Milford Fa’avi, and they have a daughter, Pa’iau Joy, and a son Derek Jr.
GREG BROWN
Senior Defensive Analyst / Assistant Linebackers
TAYLOR MAYS
Defensive Analyst
BOOKIE RADLEY-HILES
Defensive Analyst
Bookie Radley-Hiles joined the USC staff in January of 2023 as a defensive analyst.
Following the 2022 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals signed him to an undrafted free-agent contract. He was placed on waivers in August of 2022.
He played at Washington for the 2021 season, where he played in 11 of the 12 games. He spent the 2018-2020 seasons at Oklahoma, where he played for current USC head coach Lincoln Riley and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. He played in a total of 37 games, starting in 32 of them. Over his 4 years between Washington and Oklahoma, he totaled 161 tackles, including 12 for loss, and 4 interceptions. He was named to the 2020 All-Big 12 Academic First Team, and was honored as a midseason All-American by ESPN as a true freshman in 2018
He earned his bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies from Oklahoma in 2020.
He prepped at IMG Academy in Brandenton, Fla. in 2017. He was named a U.S. Army-All-American. Prior to IMG Academy, he played his junior year at Calabasas HS where he was named a Junior All-American in 2016. He began his high school career at Bishop Gorman HS in Las Vegas, Nev. where he played his freshman and sophomore seasons.
He was born on August 4, 1999.
CAESAR MARTINEZ
Assistant Director of Football Sports Performance
Caesar Martinez came to USC in January of 2022 as assistant director of football sports performance.
He spent the previous 3 seasons (2019-21) at Oklahoma as an assistant strength coach. The Sooners won the Big 12 title in 2019 and 2020, made a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance in 2019 in the Peach Bowl and also played in the Cotton Bowl in the 2020 season and the Alamo Bowl in 2021.
He was an assistant strength coach at Rutgers in 2018.
He was a strength coach, secondary coach and assistant head coach, and teacher at Central Catholic High in San Antonio (Tex.) in 2017.
He served as director of athletic performance at the Fieldhouse in Abiliene (Tex.) in 2015 and 2016.
He was an assistant football strength and conditioning coach at Texas for 5 seasons (2010-14).
He was the head football strength coach at Incarnate Word for 2 years (2008-09).
He spent 2006 and 2007 at his alma mater, Texas Tech, first as a student strength coach and then as a graduate assistant strength coach. The Red Raiders played in the 2006 Insight Bowl and 2008 Gator Bowl.
He was a running back at Texas Tech (2004-05).
He received his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science from Texas Tech in 2006.
He prepped at Ballinger (Tex.) High.
He was born on April 4, 1983. His wife’s name is Pamela. He has two daughters, Anahí Huerta and Eden Martinez.
He holds certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), USA Weightlifting (Level 1 Sports Performance Coach) and American Heart Association.Oklahoma.
DREW SMITH
Assistant Director of Football Sports Performance
Andrew Smith came to USC in December of 2021 as an assistant strength coach for the football program.
He spent the 2021 season as an assistant football strength and conditioning coach at Oklahoma. Among his duties, he oversaw the day-to-day operation of the structural load management system put in place for football, utilizing GPS tracking units. He also worked in digital media design for the football strength staff, which included recruiting presentations, daily team messages and performance testing displays.
He was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Connecticut for 2 years (2019-20). He assisted in all aspects of the football strength and conditioning program as well as authoring and implementing all physical preparation programs for the women’s lacrosse team.
Before that, he was a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at Southern Mississippi during the 2018-19 season.
He spent the 2017 season at Rutgers as an intern football strength and conditioning coach.
He was the head strength and conditioning coach at Newark (N.J.) East Side High in the 2016-17 season. He also was an intern sports performance coach at Parabolic Performance & Rehab in New Jersey in 2017 and was a volunteer strength and conditioning coach at Frank H. Morrell High in Irvington (N.J.) in the spring of 2016.
He received his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Kean University in 2018 and his master’s degree in kinesiology from Southern Mississippi in 2019.
He was born on May 31, 1996.
Smith is a Certified Speed Specialist by the National Association of Speed and Explosion. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Certified Functional Movement Screener, Certified FRC Mobility Specialist, Certified Reflexive Performance Reset Practitioner, and has earned Level 1 certification as a Sports Performance Coach by USA Weightlifting.
ADAM THACKERY
Assistant Director of Football Sports Performance
Adam Thackery joined the USC staff in January of 2023 as an assistant director of football sports performance.
Previously, he was the Baseball Strength and Conditioning Coach at Mississippi State from 2020-2023.
He spent 4 years at Washington State (2016-2020) working in the weight room. He was a Strength and Conditioning Specialist from 2016-18, and then became the Associate Director of Strength and Conditioning from 2018-2020.
Thackery was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Miami University (Ohio) from 2012-16 working with baseball, women’s soccer, men’s swimming, volleyball and football.
He spent a year at the University of Indianapolis where he was an assistant strength and conditioning coach working with 11 different teams.
Thackery earned his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Indianapolis in 2010 and his master’s degree in Kinesiology from Indiana University in 2011.
His wife, Brittany, is USC’s Director of Player Engagement. They have one daughter, Charlotte.
He was born on July 28, 1987.
Thackery is certified as a strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, along with being Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) through the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Association. He also holds the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Level 1, and USA Weightlifting Level 1 certifications.
JACKSON POLK
Assistant Director of Sports Science
Jackson Polk joined the USC staff in March of 2022 as the assistant director of sports science.
He spent the previous 4 seasons (2018-21) as a student videographer with Oklahoma’s football team. He also was a volunteer performance analyst with the program in 2021.
While at Oklahoma, he co-founded the Oklahoma Sports and Data Analytics Club in 2021, which won the Pro Football Focus Analytics Blitz contest. He also was an information technology intern with ConocoPhillips in 2016-17.
He received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Oklahoma in December of 2021. He then began work on a master’s degree in data science and analytics at Oklahoma.
CALEB WITHROW
Assistant Director of Football Sports Performance
Caleb Withrow came to USC in January of 2022 as an assistant strength coach for the football program.
He spent the previous 3 years (2019-21) at SMU, where he assisted with football and oversaw human performance development for women’s basketball and volleyball.
Prior to joining the staff at SMU, he spent 2018 providing training and obstacle fitness to the U.S. military as a coach for Alpha Warrior.
He spent four years (2014-2017) coaching at The Performance Lab, a private training facility in Abilene (Tex.), where he worked with current USC director of football sports performance Bennie Wylie. During that time (2015-2016), he also was an interim strength and conditioning coach at McMurry University, overseeing 18 men’s and women’s sports.
He got his start as a strength and conditioning intern at Abilene Christian, his alma mater, helping with the football and women’s soccer teams.
He was a defensive back at Abilene Christian (2009-13).
He earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology at Abilene Christian in 2013.
He prepped at Dallas (Tex.) Christian High.
He was born December 27, 1989. He and his wife, Jacey, have twin daughters, Bravelyn and Canon.
He holds certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCS), USA Weightlifting (USAW), Reflexive Performance Reset (RPR) and CPR/First Aid (AHA).