Trumain Carroll, a veteran strength and conditioning coach with more than 20 years of experience, has been named USC’s new director of football sports performance, head coach Lincoln Riley announced on Tuesday (May 7).
“Coach Carroll is an accomplished strength and conditioning professional who has consistently trained his teams to compete at the highest level,” Riley said. “His ability to develop players while building a strong team culture has been clear throughout his career. He will have a tremendous impact on our program. We’re excited to welcome Trumain and his family to USC.”
Carroll comes to USC from Kansas State, where he played a key role in reshaping the football program’s culture. During his time in Manhattan, Kansas, the Wildcats went 36-17, won three bowl games, and claimed the 2022 Big 12 Championship with a 31-28 overtime victory over then-No. 3 TCU. Kansas State was one of only five Power 4 teams to win at least nine games in each of the last three seasons (2022–24), along with earning a conference title during that stretch.
Before his success at Kansas State, Carroll held similar roles at South Florida (2020), Arkansas (2018–19), and SMU (2015–17). At SMU, he led strength training for over 400 student-athletes across 17 sports, with a primary focus on football. His work helped produce standout receivers Courtland Sutton and Trey Quinn, both of whom posted 1,000-yard seasons in 2017 and were drafted into the NFL the following year.
Carroll also served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Oklahoma State (2013–14), helping the football team reach the Cotton Bowl and Cactus Bowl. Earlier in his career, he was the head strength coach at South Carolina State (2011–12) and Missouri-Kansas City (2008–11), overseeing training programs for hundreds of student-athletes.
He began his coaching career at Oklahoma State, where he designed strength programs for the women’s basketball team that reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2007 and assisted the football program during three consecutive bowl appearances.
As a player, Carroll was a defensive end at Oklahoma State from 2001 to 2005. He helped lead the Cowboys to three straight bowl games, including a win in the 2002 Houston Bowl.
Carroll earned his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State in 2005 and holds several professional certifications, including a Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach Certification and a Master Strength and Conditioning Certification.
His appointment at USC is pending the completion of a successful background check.
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