USC Parts Ways with Strength Coach Bennie Wylie

USC football has parted ways with Bennie Wylie, its director of football sports performance, after three seasons, in a move described as strictly for football reasons and aimed at better positioning the program for future national championship contention. Wylie had been a close associate of head coach Lincoln Riley since their time together at Texas Tech and Oklahoma, and was well-liked by players and staff. The decision comes immediately after the conclusion of spring practice, with no reports of off-field issues or controversies. Wylie played a key role in trying to shift USC's roster towards larger, more physical athletes in anticipation of the team's move to the Big Ten, after prior strategies favoring quicker, smaller defenders proved less effective. Riley has been making significant changes to his staff and overall program direction following an underwhelming 7-6 season, with only one of his original Oklahoma staffers now remaining at USC. The school will need to hire a replacement quickly with summer workouts approaching.