USC football makes another key addition to coaching staff
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On Monday, 247 Sports' USC beat writer Connor Morrissette confirmed that the USC football team has hired Ray Thomas to its strength and conditioning staff.
Thomas was previously on Kansas State's strength and conditioning staff for the past five seasons. He worked with USC's current Director of Sports Performance, Trumain Carroll, at K-State from 2021 until Carroll was hired by USC midway through the 2025 offseason.
Thomas replaced Carroll as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Wildcats last season. Now, he reunites with his good friend and colleague at USC.
Before coaching at Kansas State, Thomas coached for Colorado State in 2018, Arkansas in 2019 and South Florida in 2020. He played college football at Adams State University from 2006-2010.
The addition of Thomas to the USC coaching staff comes at a crucial time for the Trojans. After struggling in its first season of Big Ten play in 2024, USC worked hard this offseason on building a roster more equipped to compete with the Big Ten's physical style of play. That included firing Bennie Wylie and hiring Carroll, as well as naming Zach Hanson offensive line coach and bringing in a lot of size in the trenches in the transfer portal.
Those changes immediately impacted the Trojans on offense. USC's offensive line was fantastic in 2025, much improved from how it played in 2024. But the Trojans are still hoping to get more production out of their defensive line, which was mediocre in 2025 despite a fast start to the season.
Trojan fans clearly saw in the national championship game between Indiana and Miami just how important an elite defensive line is to competing for championships.
USC fans, what do you think of the hire of Ray Thomas? Is this the under-the-radar move that will help the Trojan defensive lineman elevate their play in 2026?
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football hires Ray Thomas to strength and conditioning staff
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