Full-Time Assistant Coaching Staff Named by New USC Football Head Coach Lincoln Riley

LOS ANGELES — New USC football head coach Lincoln Riley has named his full-time assistant coaching staff.

"I am very excited to formally announce our coaching staff," said Riley. "I truly believe we have put together an elite group of coaches that will help build this football program back to national prominence. They have each been a part of winning programs and have a championship mindset. This staff understands that championship teams have a foundation of culture, and they know what that looks like and how to implement it. They recognize the tradition and expectations of this program and are eager to get to work.

"I've said it before, USC belongs at the top of college football, and this coaching staff is going to be instrumental in making that happen. I hope you will join me in welcoming them to the Trojan Family."

The 10-man staff and their coaching responsibilities:

• Dennis Simmons, assistant head coach, outside wide receivers coach and offensive passing game coordinator, has coached some of the collegiate game's elite receivers.  
   
• Alex Grinch, defensive coordinator and safeties coach, is regarded as one of the nation's top defensive coordinators and secondary coaches.
   
• Josh Henson, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, has 23 years of coaching experience primarily in the SEC and Big 12 and has been part of a national championship staff.
   
• Donte Williams, defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator, remains on the USC staff after serving as the Trojans' interim head coach last season and is considered one of the nation's top recruiters.
   
• Roy Manning, outside linebackers coach, nickels coach and assistant head coach for defense, is a former Big Ten and NFL linebacker who has coached in three Power 5 conferences. 
   
• Dave Nichol, inside wide receivers coach and associate head coach for offense, has a long background in the offense that the Trojans will employ.
   
• Brian Odom, inside linebackers coach and associate head coach for defense, has a dual background in coaching linebackers and sports performance.
   
• Shaun Nua, defensive line coach, is a former NFL Super Bowl-winning defensive end who has coaching experience in the Pac-12 and Big Ten.
   
• Kiel McDonald, running backs coach, has tutored some of the Pac-12's top running backs in recent years. 
   
• Zach Hanson, tight ends coach, is regarded as one of the game's top young coaches.

Complete bios of the 10 fulltime assistant coaches are below.  

DENNIS SIMMONS 
Assistant Head Coach 
Outside Wide Receivers 
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.  

ALEX GRINCH
Defensive Coordinator 
Safeties 

Alex Grinch, regarded as one of the nation's top defensive coordinators and secondary coaches, was named USC's defensive coordinator and safeties coach in December of 2021.  Grinch is a four-time nominee and two-time semifinalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation's top assistant coach. 

Grinch, 41, spent the previous 3 seasons (2019-21) at Oklahoma as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach.  The Sooners ranked 24th nationally 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 third nationally in interceptions (16), fourth 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 he was a Broyles Award semifinalist and OU won the Big 12 crown and played in a College Football Playoff semifinal in the Peach Bowl.  Five Sooners were NFL Draft picks during his tenure:  linebacker Kenneth Murray (first round) and defensive lineman Neville Gallimore (third round) in 2020 and defensive end Ronnie Perkins (third round), cornerback Tre Brown (fourth round) and defensive back Tre Norwood (seventh round) in 2021.

Grinch spent 2018 as Ohio State's co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach as the Buckeyes won the Big Ten and Rose Bowl.

He was Washington State's defensive coordinator and secondary coach for 3 seasons (2015-17).  The 2017 Cougars were 16th nationally in total defense (323.3) and ninth in both passing defense (170.9) and turnovers gained (28) as he was a Broyles Award semifinalist.  WSU played in the 2015 Sun Bowl and 2016 and 2017 Holiday Bowls. 

Grinch was the safeties coach at Missouri for 3 seasons (2012-14).  The Tigers captured the SEC East Division titles in 2013 and 2014 and won the Cotton Bowl in 2013 and Citrus Bowl in 2014.

Before that, he was the secondary coach and recruiting coordinator at Wyoming for 3 seasons (2009-11).  Two of his safeties—Chris Prosinski and Tashaun Gipson—played in the NFL.  The Cowboys played in the New Mexico Bowls in the 2009 and 2011 seasons.

His first fulltime coaching assignment was at New Hampshire, where he was the cornerbacks coach for 2 years (2005-06) and then the secondary coach and recruiting coordinator for another 2 seasons (2007-08).  Cornerback Corey Graham was drafted in the NFL's fifth round and played in the NFL.  The Wildcats played in the FCS playoffs each season, including advancing to the quarterfinals 3 times (2005-06-08).

He served as an administrative graduate assistant at Missouri in 2002, then was a defensive graduate assistant coach in 2003 and 2004.  The Tigers played in the 2003 Independence Bowl.

Grinch was a safety at Mount Union (1998-2001) as the Purple Raiders went 54-1, won three NCAA Division III championships (1998-2000-01) and four Ohio Athletic Conference titles.  He eared All-American third team and Academic All-League first team honors as a 2001 senior.

Grinch received his bachelor's degree in sports management from Mount Union in 2002.  He earned a master's degree in educational leadership from Missouri in 2004.

Grinch was born on May 29, 1980.  He and his wife, Rebecca, have a son, Tyler, and daughter, Corbi.  His uncle is Gary Pinkel, who was the head football coach at Toledo (1991-2000) and Missouri (2001-15). 

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 11thin 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 and 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. 

DAVE NICHOL
Inside Wide Receivers
Associate Head Coach for Offense 

Dave Nichol, with a long background in the offense that the Trojans employ, joined the USC staff as the inside wide receivers coach and associate head coach for offense in December of 2021.

Nichol, 45, spent the previous 2 seasons (2020-21) at Mississippi State as the inside receivers coach.  He coached receiver Jaden Walley, who was a Freshman All-American in 2020.  The Bulldogs played in the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl and 2021 Liberty Bowl.

He was at Washington State from 2016 to 2019, the first season coaching the wide receivers and then handling the inside receivers the final 3 years.  Receiver Brandon Arconado led the Pac-12 in receiving yards (100.8) in 2019 while catching 78 passes for 1,109 yards and 7 TDs.  Receiver Renard Bell made the Pac-12 All-Freshman first team in 2017.  Receiver Gabe Marks repeated as an All-Pac-12 first teamer in 2016 while becoming the Pac-12 career receptions leader (316) and finishing second in touchdown catches (37).  The Cougars played in the 2016 and 2017 Holiday Bowls, 2018 Alamo Bowl and 2019 Cheez-It Bowl.

Before that, he was at East Carolina for 4 years (2012-15), serving as the outside receivers coach for the first 3 seasons and then the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2015.  The Pirates were third nationally in passing offense and fifth in total offense in 2014.  During his tenure, ECU set or tied 70 individual or team game, season and career offensive records.  East Carolina played in the 2012 New Orleans Bowl, 2013 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl and 2015 Birmingham Bowl.

He spent 5 seasons (2007-11) at Arizona.  He began as an offensive graduate assistant in 2007, working with the offensive line. He was promoted to outside receivers coach in 2008 and added the inside receivers in 2009. Arizona was 10thnationally in passing offense in 2010 and third in 2011 (370.8).  The Wildcats played in the 2008 Las Vegas Bowl, 2009 Holiday Bowl and 2010 Alamo Bowl.

Nichol began his coaching career as a student coach in 2000 and 2001 at Texas Tech, his alma mater, working with the quarterbacks and wide receivers.  The Red Raiders played in the 2000 galleryfurniture.com Bowl and 2001 Alamo Bowl.  He then spent 2002 as the passing game coordinator, quarterback coach and receivers coach at Cisco (Tex.) Junior College, 3 seasons (2003-05) at Texas Tech as an offensive graduate assistant (the Red Raiders were in the 2003 Houston Bowl, 2004 Holiday Bowl and 2006 Cotton Bowl) and 2006 as an offensive graduate assistant at Baylor.

He was a wide receiver at Texas Tech, lettering in 1999.

He earned his bachelor's degree in exercise sports sciences in 1999 and a master's in interdisciplinary studies in 2002, both from Texas Tech.

He prepped at Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas (Tex.).

He was born on Oct. 5, 1976.

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.