USC adding Kerry Thompson to new-look strength and sports performance staff

Strength and conditioning is a critical area for all college football teams to get right. Coach Trumain Carroll has been added to USC and now serves as the program's Director of Sports Performance. The Trojans have also recruited the services of coach Lonnie Maddox in the associate role.

In another move, USC, as reported by the FootballScoop, has hired coach Kerry Thompson to be an assistant strength coach for the program.

Coach Thompson was most recently with Alabama State as the Assistant Athletic Director for Performance Enhancement. He has a long track record in the business. Among his various roles, the new Trojan staff member has been at Samford, Alabama, and  Grambling State.

This is a move that speaks to what coach Lincoln Riley is continuing to build and foster at USC. The HC's approach has consistently preached about going about things the right way and wanting to instill a culture within the doors and among the players.

Now, at the Trojans, coach Thompson has full access to the top level of resources in the nation. He is at USC, and there aren't going to be too many battles that they lose, particularly with the new facility being set to open next year.

With his most recent experience being at HBCUs and lower levels of the playing field compared to Big Ten, Division I programs, coach Thompson has been resourceful and made the most with less. His aim then was to position athletes to improve and realize the best versions of themselves, yes, but also to garner attention from schools at a higher level as well.

Recent conversation from latest USC hire

While speaking on the Strength Coach Network show, coach Thompson spoke on the challenges of creating a program. During the show, he did mention that establishing and creating buy-in from athletes is a must, particularly with the offers that many student-athletes will be enticed with on a daily basis.

To this point, coach Thompson has been able to create the needed relationships with staff and players alike. In a sport that seemingly has unending moving parts, his approach and viewpoint in football's landscape are a welcome sight.

Not too long ago, there were concerns about the strength and conditioning pillars at USC. Now the selection of individuals responsible for that specific aspect appears to be well-positioned to ensure peak performance among the Trojans.