Lincoln Riley shares thoughts on promoting Taylor Mays to on-field assistant
While the door has closed on the Alex Grinch era at USC, a few others have opened to allow some new opportunities over the next several weeks. One of the assistants who will see the biggest change is Taylor Mays, who was elevated into an on-field role working with the safeties.
Mays began the year as a defensive analyst, working with the safeties alongside Grinch. But as an analyst, his ability to directly coach the players at the position was limited. Now, all restrictions are removed and it’s his position group. USC fans will remember Mays as the three-time All-American who punished running backs and receivers with some highlight reel hits during his four-year career with the Trojans. He began his coaching career as a student assistant with the Trojans under former head coach Clay Helton. Mays was one of the holdovers when head coach Lincoln Riley took over and Riley has been impressed with his performance. He spoke about Mays and elevating him to his new role during his appearance on Trojans Live.
“Taylor has been really just a great addition to our staff,” Riley said. “Really just had that attitude of, what can I do to help the program? There was no job too big, no job too small. He was here to learn, has been very invested in everything we’ve done, really from Day One. And it’s just been impressive to watch his climb.”
The work ethic has always been there from Mays, who was a mainstay on Howard Jones/Brian Kennedy Fields, continuing to put in extra work after practices throughout his career.
“It’s no surprise, getting to know him over the last, close to two years now, that he was the player he was,” Riley said. “You see it in his dedication, his passion, his work ethic. He’s learned a lot here in the last couple years and I think he had a good pulse of our guys. I think our guys respect him and what he did here, what he’s done on the field. I think that combination made it right to give him this opportunity. And I think he’ll take it and run with it. And I think the guys will respond and play very well.”
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Mays inherits a safety group that has Calen Bullock as a cemented starter at strong safety. The loss of Zion Branch to injury against Cal was a significant blow as he was really showing signs of improvement and grabbing hold of the free safety position. USC went back to Bryson Shaw as the starter against Washington and the Trojans also got Max Williams back on the field a bit as he returned from an injury sustained at Notre Dame.
The nickel position has been filled all year by Jaylin Smith, though Tre’Quon Fegans played more snaps against Washington than he has all season.
Mays will be working underneath new co-defensive coordinators Shaun Nua and Brian Odom. It will be interesting to watch if that group comes up with any new starters or defensive rotations in this first week with their new responsibilities.
USC has a monumental challenge on its hands this weekend as the Trojans visit Eugene and the No. 6 Oregon Ducks in a game that still means plenty for both teams in the Pac-12 Championship race.
