USC defensive analyst Austin Woods to become offensive line coach at Incarnate Word

Austin Woods, a 30-year-old lead defensive analyst at USC, is expected to become the new offensive line coach at Incarnate Word, per Bruce Feldman on Twitter.

Woods previously served as both an offensive and defensive analyst at Oklahoma, his alma mater, from 2014-2021. Before that, he was a former team captain for the Sooners during his senior year, which was capped off by a Sugar Bowl victory in 2013.

He played for Kevin Wilson and Lincoln Riley during his tenure, and was hired on to the OU staff upon his graduation. Woods would follow Riley to Los Angeles in January of 2022, and less than a year later, is leaving for his first on-field coaching gig.

Lincoln Riley says USC has continued momentum from season in bowl practices

USC kicked off the Lincoln Riley era with a hot start, achieving an 11-2 record and conference championship appearance in his first season at the helm. And according to Riley, his team has been carrying that energy into their preparation for their upcoming Cotton Bowl matchup versus Tulane.

“We’ve had a number of really really good practices, the guys have continued the momentum from the season and really from even before the season in terms of the way we’ve practiced and our approach to going and playing this game,” Riley said.

Riley has been impressed with the preparation of his squad, as they’ve been taking care of business on and off the practice field and have shown enthusiasm about the opportunity to compete one last time this season.

“And I can tell you our players are excited about this, they really are, they have practiced well, they’ve done a lot of great work with our strength and conditioning staff as we were out on the road recruiting, traveling the country,” Riley said. “And that was apparent when we got back on the field that physically they were in a great place, I think mentally in a great place, and they were just really eager back out there practicing and so we’re certainly very much looking forward to that.”

The Cotton Bowl is set to kickoff at 1:00 p.m. ET on January 2 live on ESPN.