Though he is retaining Bennie Wylie, Lincoln Riley claims changes in approach are coming to USC

Changes need to be seen in 2024.

Many USC fans will rightly be upset that Lincoln Riley has chosen to retain strength and conditioning coach Bennie Wylie for 2024. However, if Wylie is going to be retained, he has to be a lot better than he was in 2023. USC was a soft team which got pushed around on both sides of the line of scrimmage. If Wylie is coming back for 2024 — and he is — Lincoln Riley needs to admit that previous methods aren’t working. He needs to expect something more — and something different — from Bennie Wylie.

Are we seeing evidence that Riley is demanding a different philosophy and approach? Yes, although we need to see events play out on the field in the spring and then in the summer, leading into the 2024 regular season.

247Sports has reported extensively on Riley’s and Wylie’s comments, which do point to a stated intent to change the methodology at USC. You can read up on all the things Riley and Wylie said on Monday.

Talk is cheap. Actions matter more than words. However, we needed to first see that Riley and Wylie understood the need for change and that current methods have failed. At least they get that. It’s the first step in a long process toward restoring USC football.

Now Riley and Wylie need to prove themselves, and D’Anton Lynn needs to make sure Wylie is developing his defensive players in the weight room so that the Trojans have all the pieces they need for 2024 and beyond.

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