Josh Pate On Lincoln Riley's Future @ USC (Late Kick Cut)

Lincoln Riley arrived at USC 2 years ago to a ton of hype and fanfare, but on Late Kick Live Ep 455 Josh Pate responded to the the latest setback for the Trojan football program as a loss to UCLA capped a disappointing 7-5 season. What kind of moves will Lincoln Riley be able to make? Will a splashy defensive coordinator hire do the trick? Let us know what you think in the comments below and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the channel and CLICK THE BELL for notifications as we bring you multiple live shows per week!
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[@daylenhanson8040]

Caleb’s only bowl win being a Bob Stoops coached OU team will go down as one of the more bizarre things to ever happen in college football lol.

[@robertcurl1160]

And not one conference championship ever in 3 years as a generational QB.

[@lrvracer3515]

@dalenhansen8040 - Boomer Sooner fan here. No one in the media ever talks about this, but if Caleb Williams would have stayed at OU he would have had a better college career. He still would have won the Heisman and we would definitely be undefeated and headed to the playoffs this year. Last year, instead of 6-7 we are at least 10-3. I get it though, LR recruited him and (in his mind) it was just too big of a risk. Also, isn’t it funny that the exact same thing applies to Spencer Rattler - he’s an afterthought nowadays. However, if he had stayed at OU he would have become a beloved hero (Jalen Hurts style) and definitely would have had a better career.

[@daylenhanson8040]

@@lrvracer3515 yeah I don’t blame him for leaving. He followed the guy who he thought was gonna develop him and recruited him. But I totally agree. I can’t imagine what last year and certainly this year woulda looked like if he would have stayed. Probably be in route for the playoff. But a part of me will always be grateful for what he did in that 2021 RRR. One of the best OU games of my lifetime.

[@theknightswhosay]

Rattler was even more overrated.

[@robnirenberg4727]

@@daylenhanson8040 without question. And the Mims TD catch in that game is the best OU catch I have ever seen.

[@lawv804]

Has there ever been another head coach who's had 3 Heisman Trophy winning QBs, but never even made it to a national title game?

[@samueljanasik4043]

There’s not been another head coach with 3 Heisman winning QBs

[@littlesame]

@@samueljanasik4043apparently his question backfired

[@andrewrogers2313]

…and a runner-up

[@snarlesbarkley2818]

@@samueljanasik4043I’m trying to think if that makes the argument better or worse 😂

[@nickjohnson6368]

@@snarlesbarkley2818exactly 😂

[@soonerfan4439]

When he was at Oklahoma his teams got worse every year.

[@soonersdevil]

That last yr was a sham..could've ended up like this SC season ..oh and they sneaked by Tulane...shouldn't have he known more about them in the bowl game?

[@maizewindu.4827]

quite indicative of Bob stoops' last recruiting class graduating over those years 😭

[@clay_jay22]

After what he did when leaving Oklahoma, I like to see him struggling.

[@guineveregruntle6746]

He sucks as a head coach. USC will never reach The Promise Land with him.

[@knockout9446]

That happens all the time, cupcake.

[@veryinteresting591]

@@knockout9446not so fast “cupcake”. when has a coach moved and take the starting QB, the best offensive linemen, the best running backs and receiver? Never

[@pureblood3823]

​@@knockout9446enjoy your losses at usc commie

[@stinkasscat]

​@@knockout9446of course it does to USC.

[@ilikehardplay]

The irony is that Lincoln Riley's crosstown rivals at UCLA just demonstrated that you *can* significantly upgrade a defense.... Not by hiring a "big name" defensive coordinator, but by hiring a young, hungry, up-and-coming NFL defensive position coach being groomed for a DC position, D'Anton Lynn, and giving him the building blocks for success. That includes quality players gotten through the portal, a team mentality rather a star mentality, and buy-in across the program.

[@MFran248]

Like Michigan did 2 years ago and turned it around to make the playoff. I know its a little different cause Jim basically just asked his brother who their best young defensive coaching talent was and we'll give him back when you need a DC again but sentiment is the same lol

[@hunter_t18]

@@MFran248also a little different seeing as the wins started coming when the cheating started. Maybe Lincoln should do that and skip the coordinator stuff huh?

[@greg7964]

Lynn needs to show that this year isn't a one hit wonder

[@ilikehardplay]

@@greg7964 : While skepticism is reasonable, Lynn did make a name for himself as a defensive backs coach with the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans.... Not to mention the fact that he's now a Broyles Award nominee (best assistant coach or coordinator in FSB), which suggest that his efforts are being recognized widely. My only real concern is how he will do in recruiting, since Chip Kelly has a history of pushing a lot of the HS recruiting duties off onto his coordinators and position coaches....preferring to focus more of his attention on the transfer portal... and recruiting is not something he' apt to have picked up in the NFL.

[@thetruth1816]

​@hunter_t18 wahhh wahhh on the "cheating " crap..you sound like your 6...

[@jerry2968]

Tailback U with 3 yards rushing is pure insanity.

[@arubial1229]

Tailback U? seriously?

[@fivefour5514]

@@arubial1229yeah 5 heisman trophy RBs Reggie oj Marcus Allen mike Garrett Charles white so yeah tail back u + Qbu & WRU

[@arubial1229]

@@fivefour5514 They’re maybe 5th. Bama, UGA, Wisconsin come to mind before USC

[@bladeneo7420]

​@@fivefour5514can't be called running back university anymore when your offense and offensive scheme barely uses the running back to begin with anyway.

[@fivefour5514]

@@arubial1229 historically usc is number 1 5 heisman RB no other university comes close. But now days it hasn’t been RBU it’s more WRU now because of the head coaches they’ve hired spread air raid offenses

[@gijakob]

Ok State fan here, I can’t help but stick up for OU fans when it comes to Lincoln Riley. Guy lied about OU fans and then followed it up by driving USC into the dirt. Hope USC fans don’t have to go through what OU fans did.

[@Floppyearsmomma]

Thanks from this OU fan friend. He is even lying about his house being broken into. I'm so glad he's gone. I wish he hadn't taken Caleb with him. I bet Caleb wishes he hadn't too.

[@rickyweber2651]

AMEN O-STATE FAN

[@MrDevin62]

Thanks for your empathy O-State fan. For me, I was over it until Lincoln said in a recent interview that he got death threats and they decided to "get their kids out of there." That was pure dramatic BS. OU fans were angry because of Lincoln's duplicity, no one is going to hurt his family over it. That added insult to injury.

[@Floppyearsmomma]

@@MrDevin62 I know even the Ok police said that it was bogus! They said a relative saw a car drive by his house a couple of times in his gated community! 🙄

[@dustydunn-ro2mt]

OU Will be ok...we have softball coming up....we be. Winin ....BOOMER

[@nzonesportssocal2458]

Riley and caleb looked unstoppable against nevada, sj state, and stanford.

[@ybn_cornflakes]

I heard those are the best teams in the country. Then again Lincoln Riley told me that

[@Plotinus75]

😂

[@godeacs358]

And California….. oh wait… nevermind.

[@jkmarshall3553]

🤣

[@wopperconpalta5356]

No they didnt, SJ had a shot.

[@jim2376]

USC was 2 points away (USC 50, Cal 49) from a 6 and 6 season with the final 6 games being losses. As it turned out, USC "only" lost 5 out of the final 6. Ouch!

[@kevinbell3224]

Dont forget the Arizona game they were down 17 and won in OT

[@Bird-dl7xs]

As an OU fan I’m so glad everyone is seeing what OU fans were seeing happening to our team during his tenure. SOFT is the key word. Can’t tackle, etc. etc. etc. In Venables we trust!!Boomer!

[@genxsports8486]

Once the OU wore off what you see is the Texas Tech coaching tree.

[@craig3540]

I think the Lincoln Riley saga at USC is hilarious... I love it and here for it!

[@daltonmann4916]

i hope they give him an extension and a raise!

[@Gutslinger]

Riley thought he was bigger than the program, proving Bob Stoops' quote right in the press conference after Riley left.

[@ubon11]

OU fans learned many years ago that 48-45 wins are nothing more than fool’s gold. USC fans are just learning that this year.

[@Saltlick11]

Lincoln Riley and Mario Cristobal are performing similarly.

[@gmbtempe]

I remember after Rich Rod left Michigan it started getting mentioned that every part of the program was geared to the offense, that practice always had a offensive slant to it, defense would not get the same attention...and it showed, elite level offense with horrendous defense. Took the next season with the same players but different coaches to change it around.

[@andreweldridge1236]

UM fan here. This is accurate except the part about having a good offense. That was all denard Robinson

[@LegolasFan69]

Media should probably apologize to OU fans…

[@joshuagray5094]

Definitely not. OU fans are like the salty ex gf of college football fans, toxic as ever until they lost a couple games then suspiciously quiet

[@SouthernSooner-wn3el]

Why can’t you just admit we were right.

[@knockout9446]

Jokelahoma got to three playoffs with Lincoln. Now, Oklahoma is as big of a joke as USC. You clowns sure are salty.

[@guadalupechavarria1227]

You mean Chokelahoma

[@Travis89-ob5tt]

Colin Cowherd most of all. 🤣

[@seanakima50515e]

I honestly dont understand why nobody saw this coming outside of oklahoma fans? How did you guys not see the soft teams that relied on the QB to win the game because defense had no guts, no grit, no pride, no nothing. Poor fundamnetls from every defensive position group. Lincoln riley is 100% A great offensive mind he can develop a gold QB, but he cant run a program to save his life. He cant really recruit outside of QBs and Wrs. Lincoln Riley will be let go at USC at the end of 2025 or 2026

[@prplhze2000]

Some did. I never wanted him at LSU

[@JoseGomez-cj1tq]

He should leave now and go to Texas A&M

[@shawnkurtz4424]

It baffles my mind how Riley has been a HC since like 2015 and his still refused to acknowledge that you actually have to play defense as well.

[@robertkauffman8137]

It was 18 months ago Lincoln Riley was the 2nd coming for USC fans. My how quickly things change! USC is going nowhere. They will only get worse with the upcoming schedules!

[@jay_its3869]

Thank you as a USC fan I'd always said it was the atomsphere at USC that was the issue.

[@jimsomerville3924]

I could be wrong based on what broadcast showed, but I remember a couple weeks ago a USC O player laying on field hurt. Riley walked out on the field, but rather than check on and monitor injured player, he and Caleb turned their backs and started talking shop. If that was accurate, that seems like a big indicator of a toxic program culture that starts from top- which I've seen pundits mentioning last few weeks.

[@Diegocurt73]

LR is a good OC not a head coach. I’m afraid Oklahoma fans were right. It won’t take long before USC dismisses Riley if this continues to happen.

[@westcoastnative2523]

I would also like to add... Put some respect on clay Helton's name. Clay Helton in his second year was 11-3 and had a PAC 12 championship and a rose bowl win under his belt. The defense has been worse under Lincoln Riley than it was under clay Helton in the first two years. Clay Helton was 4-1 against UCLA. And was 3-2 against Utah. I wasn't the biggest fan of clay Helton, but I def think he wasn't as bad of a coach as folks made him out to be.

[@j43k]

Pretty good points there.

[@andrewodom6158]

Damn right!!!!!

[@dereksalas8195]

I wonder how killing the conference will work out for the LA teams in the long run?

[@petewilcox3354]

Same way it worked for Miami, same as it worked for AnM and Mizzou, same way it worked out for Nebraska, same way it will work out for OU and Texas...Nowhere near as good as they would like it to. not even close.

[@3rdandlong]

You made an excellent point about him not recruiting well. There has been a battle between Lincoln and Oregon with Dan Lanning winning over some recruits for 24 cycle. Of course, you would think NOW, Dan Lannings phone is going to be ringing quite a bit in the coming days from potential recruits, or transfers from USC. Who wants to be in that environment? In the Spring, Oregon has (in a sense), done a Pick-6 on Lincoln Riley in his own backyard for talent from all over So-Cal. Dan is smiling all the way to the playoffs. I'm sure Gary Byrant Jr. (who transferred out in the Spring) is happy to be in Eugene, and not L.A. Guessing there will be freshman that will be looking elsewhere for next year.

[@soonersdevil]

Riley is a Transfer portal guy...he even said so comparing Utah with how he gets players

[@drbobperkins]

He’s recruited some great QB’s. He’s an average coach with Heisman QB’s

[@rowdyrooster5012]

The Sooners dogged a bullet with Riley!!! They should be thanking God Riley left!!!!

[@knockout9446]

Wowsers! Clueless much? Lincoln took Jokelahoma to three playoffs. Now, Sooners look like liquid diarrhea.

[@rowdyrooster5012]

@@knockout9446 wowsers, clueless much, Oklahoma is ranked and USC is a joke with a crying QB...you cuck

[@MrDavidfarris]

@@knockout9446Talk all that smack you want dude. Fact is Riley didn’t get OU to the playoffs, it takes years of vision and preparation to realize championships. Bob Stoops laid the ground work, leaving Riley a loaded roster that was playoff ready and he squandered it. OU is now on solid footing looking to the future and USC and Riley are flailing away dealing with immediate fundamental issues that hold programs back all the time. We wouldn’t change coaches with you now no matter what. Fact is you thought you were pulling off a major coup and got burned. Don’t be bitter, just deal with it, USC got hosed and can’t handle it. Or can they? They’re a top 10 program that has dealt with adversity in past and succeeded. Will this guy stop them? I’d like to think he can’t. USC is bigger than one guy and always has been, just like OU.

[@joeyclark7630]

I assure you LR's attorneys are working on how this all unwinds.

[@4Sooners]

Lincoln Riley 2025 Colorado OC.

[@calebleeson5662]

Caleb really carrying USC these past couple years, that team wouldn’t even be talked about without him

[@jkmarshall3553]

Hmmm... sounds like Jimbo Fisher at FSU with Jameis Winston.

[@jimmycutter4307]

If they had played a decent schedule last year and not a cupcake one (no wash or Oregon) he'd be fired after this year

[@tyanthony1499]

Was crazy to me earlier this season hearing ppl suggest that the cardinals tank their season to after Caleb Williams? I'm like why? Get rid of a young/immature qb that has shown that he can play to draft a young/immature qb that we're not absolutely sure can play in the NFL. Also I'm not against college players getting paid but making some of them millionaires is crazy, Caleb Williams didn't strike me as playing desperate, he looks like a highly skilled guy with a few million in the bank that kinda "cares" but kinda doesn't, the tears didn't move me, that was just him being embarrassed in front of all those ppl

[@stinkasscat]

Oklahoma moved on from Riley last year. The media keep poking the angry bear, and Im not talking about Pate. Im talking about Cowherd and Brandon the turd, and several others. Us dumb Okies predicted what would happen just like we did about Colorado...before the first week of the season this year. I heard multiple media sources say that him leaving a blue blood program like he did was unprecedented. It's not salty, being a crybaby or anything else to have to experience this program being entrusted to him and then he lies and says " I talked to USC last night on the phone and signed a XMillion dollar contract last night and jumped on a plane at 5 am", and expect us not to be angry that he thinks we are that stupid. I saw video of USC's stadium previous to him showing up and heard fans say " Theres more to do in LA than just football." Let's see how capacity is at that stadium for the next couple of years, and then I will listen to anything their fans have to say.

[@srb2834]

USC opens the season vs LSU too next year. Good luck with that.

[@David-fc1uf]

When UCLAs concern is SCs basketball team and not their football team there is a problem.

[@SpankyNek]

Bill Bedenbaugh staying at Oklahoma exposed just how contingent Riley's overall team performance is built upon successful offensive line play and talent. (IMO) Not only does it dramatically help your offense to have Anton Harrison, Creed Humphrey, Ben Powers, and Tyrese Robinson (among others) talent coached by Bill, but a soft offensive line also hurts defensive development in practice, resulting in "fools gold"

[@TheAnon232]

I have no stakes in any of the teams discussed here. I’m an A&M fan. I felt awful for the OU fans last year and I’m so happy for them now. They got screwed over so bad but things worked out so well for them and I’ve got some schadenfreude at how things have played out for Riley.

[@kevinlindstrom8486]

Preach it ALL, Good and Forthright Sir! Being a HC in CFB means managing *everything*, and doing that at a Tier I school means it ALL needs to be top shelf.

[@maccotton7342]

Laughing to the tune of Boomer Sooner so freaking hard right now 😂😂😂

[@guadalupechavarria1227]

You mean Chokelahoma. They choked with Riley and now Brent Venables

[@maccotton7342]

@@guadalupechavarria1227 nah. Riley had OU in shambles before he left. BV did great getting us where we are now. From 6-7 to 10-2 is quite the turnaround for any program. Plus we have a top 5 recruiting class incoming so I feel we’re in a good spot

[@calebleeson5662]

@@maccotton7342tru I just hope they can actually show up to big games

[@ericbassham751]

​​​​​@@guadalupechavarria1227congratulations you are now Chokelafornia. Only 8 more years on his contract so pucker up butter cup it's gonna be a long suck azz ride for you as Oklahoma fans and the entire nation will be laughing at you as you flounder away each year.

[@MrKen-mc4bu]

Lincoln Riley should return at least HALF of his inflated salary for this season because of his failure as Head football coach at USC. The Trojans paid him an obscene amount of money and failed to get a good return on their investment. THREE yards rushing for the Trojans vs. UCLA is unacceptable. Maybe USC should keep Riley - as the Quarterbacks coach. He clearly is in WAY over his head when it comes to the Head Coach position. When Ed Orgeron left years ago, I felt that USC had made a serious mistake by letting him go (Ed went on to win a National Championship as a Head coach for LSU since he left USC) - I still feel that USC should have kept Ed Orgeron. Maybe USC should have hired Dan Lanning instead of Riley. At least Lanning can beat Utah.

[@josephwhite8495]

According to the Bear, they were no different from Georgia in defence!!! I think I see the difference! Go Dawgs!!!

[@jimmycutter4307]

One of his favorite statements is "we're close". He said Saturday after the game that they were only 4-6 plays away during the season lol

[@larrycox7169]

This is hilarious as a Sooner fan, BUT after USC keeps this bozo, THEN he takes off to the pros with a pocket full of money in 2-3 years... damn, I am going to rip a gut!

[@LayKxD]

Now add his hot seat to the fact he has to open with LSU next year. Let’s see if LSU can figure out a defense while Lincoln rebuilds his offense

[@easybreezy3314]

After a while it goes from wow he's got so many Heisman qb's to damn why don't they ever win anything with those dudes

[@darthnatas953]

Bear Alexander said all they needed to fix the defense was Bear Alexander.

[@joshwescott9809]

Riley cant rely on OU and bob stoops recruits anymore and it shows

[@dwayneengel8398]

When TBOW left OU, I didn't like how he left but thought OU would be better off! I predicted then, that USC would fire Riley in 3-4 years because he cannot develop players!!! Everyone thought I was just upset because he left, and told me I was wrong. We're right on track for me to say "I told you so!". 😊

[@htvlogs80]

LR should stop play calling and focus on football both sides. Hire a new defensive staff, promote Kliff Kingsburg to OC, learn more & be more involved with defense.

[@taustin6524]

Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving coach and QB. USC fans with serious buyers remorse about now.

[@tylernelson8851]

Bob stoops recruits put lincoln in position to make that much noise when he got there… steadily regressed as he started recruiting and building his own program..

[@karsonbynum8235]

If I was playing him I’d go with a ground and pound for the first half and wear his defense out. Then I’d open the playbook up

[@vsauce4678]

USC is an embarrassing team. A year ahead of Colorado from a much higher start and not getting it done

[@chrislandry9051]

SC has a recruiting issue. Trojans don't have the "dudes" in the trenches. O- line can't block, D can't cover & tackle. Riley has to "recruit". The transfer portal is hit or miss. Toughness and discipline has to be restored on both sides of the ball. I expect Riley to be at the Mater Dei- Bosco game , at the Coliseum this Friday. 🏈

[@TheJasonJackson84]

Extremely interesting take... I vividly remember Mr Pate in early 2022 boldly stating that no one was going to try to do what Georgia did in 2021, play ball control football and rely heavily on a strong defense. That the high octane offenses would continue to be wave of the times. Finding a way to win on a consistent basis should be applauded no matter how it is done.

[@yorkqueer]

who thinks USC got that A&M money?

[@RoadTo19]

This is not complicated... Riley is a OC, not HC. He has success developing QBs, which in turn win Heisman's in weak D conferences.

[@billponder2186]

LR killed the golden goose he inherited at OU. All he took to USC was the goose carcass he sucked the life from and a few of the last laid golden eggs.

[@kyledupuis8996]

It’s funny bc he did exactly that with Grinch at OU and everybody knows how that turned out

[@jefferyparker4277]

The Day / Riley comparison is natural. They were both relatively unknown assistant that were handed the keys to a blue blood that was humming. It happened about the same time as well.

[@BlountForce]

Good ol Collin Cowherd from The Herd was talking so much smack about how good USC was over the summer. Would love to see his face after this last loss lol.. Riley should have stayed in OKLAHOMA

[@georgeuthmann7273]

I don't expect Riley to right the USC ship and compete for national championships, but he still has the opportunity to do it. He's the head coach of a major Power 5 football program. When he came to OU, his childhood friends said he was a genius who could have succeeded in any field he chose. Let him figure out how to be a CEO.

[@BigTulsa]

See and that's the whole thing right there. Lincoln is a great leader of young men (his offense). But being a head coach means you need to learn how to be a leader of not just young men that play for you, but you have to be a leader of your leaders (individual coaches). He may still be working on that skillset, but he needs to get there quickly. He's had six full seasons of OJT now.

[@brettjern3264]

James Franklin needs to go too. He's been absolutely nothing but average at Penn State. They are not a top 10 program. They literally only play 2 teams a year that are good and they lose to them (Michigan and Ohio State). In the SEC they lose 5 plus games a year. That program has so much potential and should be in the playoffs from time to time.

[@grandpa3708]

Franklin's record against top 10 teams is something like 3 wins and 17 losses. He is 12 - 25 against top 25 teams. Terrible!!

[@stevegoodnight3601]

Defense is about hard work, selflessness, integrity & character! Lincoln Riley possesses NONE OF THE ABOVE! Now then, everybody connect the dots!

[@tylerbrooklyn4187]

The people that are saying Lincoln Riley shouldn’t be fired aren’t saying that to say “Well, who’s gonna replace him?” They’re saying that because they want to see USC keep failing…

[@TheJasonJackson84]

I'd hate to see USC win it all, but they would be stupid to fire him unless 2024 turns out worse than 2023.

[@madveteran7945]

Caleb would have won back to back Heismans and National Championships if he would have stayed in Oklahoma. That’s a fact, Jack!

[@AdamS235]

Riley and Day have the same number of CFP wins since Riley got to USC too

[@dgyoutube2405]

Can you imagine if southern cal played sec teams how bad it would be

[@mitchthe3518]

except they are going to the big 10! the best option in the short term to me is Jim Leonard

[@garygarrett4277]

Hindsight is 20/20😊😊😊

[@JohnHoulgate]

I'm a 3rd generation Trojan alum and football fan. Something is terribly wrong here. All my life, USC was the most hated football program in the country. Everyone hated us. Everyone wanted to knock us off. The popular bumper sticker around LA, said, "My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing USC." Our Pac-12 brethren rooted against us in bowl games, in spite of our successes helping them rank higher. Now we're getting sympathy, especially from Oklahoma fans, who we embarrassed in the 2004 season national championship game. They want to commiserate with us over Lincoln Riley. I understand he didn't exactly bring honor to Norman, OK. I understand what it means to be riding at the top, as you guys do and expecting our teams to live up to the standards the go with it. We used to be the bullies of the college football world. We used to love hearing the Big Ten guys tell us, "Oh, but you don't understand. Here in the Midwest, we play smash mouth football." So we'd smash them in the mouth in the bowl games, making them look no better than a middle-tier Pac 12 school. But today, we have soft practices, we couldn't even touch Washington's crappy running back. This guy, Dillon Johnson, goes 4 seasons never running more than 100 yards a game, carries for 256 against us. WTF?! My dear Mom (RIP), also a Trojan, used to say, "If you don't have a defense, you don't have a team. That's where we are. More than that we need monsters in the trenches - both sides. We need bullies, who are not afraid to terrorize opponents. We had that with John McKay, John Robinson and Pete Carroll. The irony is, we have them in our own backyard, but they are being recruited out of state. That has to stop. Thanks for the love, guys. It's nice to hear your comforting, empathetic words, but I really miss those days when you hated our guts.

[@CRS253]

There is no Oklahoma fan that is sympathizing with Southern California. We're laughing at you. But like you all liked to remind us, there are so many other things to do in Los Angeles. So go start doing them now. Enjoy your soft program, enjoy your soft coach. You deserve everything, and more, that is being hurled your way.

[@bryanroyal7099]

Well the weed has gotten a lot stronger in the past 17 years.

[@JohnHoulgate]

@@CRS253 I found one on this thread and others on other threads where OK or OK State fans are sympathizing with our fan base. We know people like to laugh at marquee programs that are going through rough patches. That's college football, but heated sectional and intersectional rivalries and smack talk aren'f much fun unless the teams are winning.

[@johantrenier1685]

USC couldn’t run Helton fast enough. Trojan fan has been unreasonable for years. You deserve every bit of this.

[@JohnHoulgate]

@@johantrenier1685 Are you kidding me? Helton had six seasons at USC. The first three seasons, he had leftover talent from Steve Sarkissian who had drinking problems. His last two seasons, he went 5-7 and 4-8, allowing UCLA to score 62 points on their porous defense in 2021. We knew Helton did not have any connection with the players. It was plain as day that he didn't know what he was doing. At best he was better suited for a division 2 or a D1 program outside the Power 5. His best quarterback was Sam Darnold who used his ability to improvise plays to get scores and win games. After Darnold left, he brought in JT Daniels, a pure pocket passer. After a season and a half, Daniels transferred to Georgia where they actually had an offensive line who could protect him. His backup qiarterback, Jack Sears, also bolted. Sears was more like Darnold, a scrambler who could turn a sh## play into gold. The fanbase was right to demand Helton's firing. In fact, the AD kept him on for an extra year after the dismal 2020 season giving him a second chance to turn things around. We can forgive a coach for having a down year, but when we see the same problems occuring a second year, like poor blocking in the line and non-existent tackling in the defense, you have to let the coach go.

[@huttonmr]

USC fan here; Riley's seat is warm, like a seat heater that has been on too long in your car; it's annoying but you aren't going to get burnt. He is not getting fired until 2026 at the earliest (USC needs stability more than anything at the moment). USC is a program that has, quite frankly, forgotten how to win; long gone are the Carroll years and that well dried up years ago. They're in a transitional phase and Lincoln is at an inflection point in his career; he will either be humbled by these past two seasons and accept he his "all offense all the time" philosophy is not tenable or he won't and that will be his ultimate undoing in LA. ✌Fight On! ✌

[@andrewodom6158]

If you are paying Riley that much for results....what the hell should SABAN be getting paid

[@hankmoody2345]

Outstanding points. Period.

[@veryoldjohnson]

Oh no!!!! Riley was Heaven sent!!!! What will USC do now? Will they accept a 'Sun Bowl' bid, again? Against Rice, Vanderbilt, or New Mexico?

[@pestyoverlord]

Its so weird being a horn and being on the same side as sooners for this😬 BTW USC sark keeps bringing the best socal players to Austin 😎🤘 gl crootin KEKW

[@JuneBaby01]

And to think; Caleb Williams could have been the starting QB on what is seemingly CFB best team, he could have been playing for the opportunity at a 2nd Nat'l champ...choices, choices!

[@cwarner5909]

comparing the program that Lincoln left and the one he went to I see the former having a better upside. Finishing the season 7-5 with a heisman quarterback and potential first pick in the NFL draft is not a good look. I don't see this being a plus for recruiting.

[@brianthebroken7601]

As a Sooner, I hate to say it but we told you so!

[@kogspinz4]

Reminder, USC plays LSU in week 1 next year.

[@2chipped]

There are coordinator coaches slanted to a single side of the ball and tempo. Did you watch Tennessee going hurry up down by 20 yesterday, 120mph throws by the Qb. Or the O-line for Co. If only Dan Marino could throw 60 yds with a flick of his wrist.

[@LMN22]

"From Norman oklahomas just laugher" yes sir it is. Cause while everyone had some crap to talk what were we saying? Saying get ready for exactly this. And we we're told we were just but hurt. Okay 😂 so now we get to just laugh at the smoke billowing over the western horizon. Hope yall are having fun out there 🤠

[@49erLA]

Luckily for Lincoln Riley the Big10 has more Cupcake teams than the Pac 12 did... 😂

[@SermonsForLife]

Great video! Who do you think are the top “likely” DCs for the USC role?

[@g-man2228]

40 year old multi millionaire….I think he’ll be ok! 😄👊🏻🇺🇸🏈

[@xdgaming70]

That’s not the point

[@staffordac]

thanks for the reminder I thought Riley was going bankrupt

[@michaelstephenson1168]

Fire Coach Riley 🔥

[@Jacob-ec6st]

I remember some guy on Instagram trying to convince me that Riley was gonna start the next cfb dynasty at USC and that I was an idiot for disagreeing. I wonder how he's coping.

[@midnightrider1100]

Josh, I love your show and your knowledge, but only now you see it's time to let go of the notion that Lincoln Riley is an elite head coach. OU fans didn't think it would be this bad, but we had come to realize his deficiencies with player development by the time he left. No matter who he hires, as long as he fosters a soft culture and keeps a yoga instructor as his strength coach, this is what his program will be.

[@marzdeep88]

Ive been saying PJ Fleck would be a good fit. I think some of the make up of his style of coaching fits with the Trojan brand. You need someone that can leverage the brand before you get to the particulars of the game. Pete Carroll as I witnessed it in real time in person was a genius with it. He folded right into the spirit of being a Trojan. He bought in, came to Rallies, hyped the student body, but understood how to talk to donors which I also witnessed from a far. I dont want a repeat, but I want the next candidate to understand that with this program, you cant just be a Football savant, it sounds corny but you have to teach what it means to be a Trojan, and you have to define what exactly that is. Lincoln Riley is an X's and O's guy. I wish PJ Fleck had a better record out there with Minnesota, but it could be a recruitment issue. Its a hard place to attract recruits. I just cant see a USC PJ led team running out the tunnel with no energy.

[@MrPuglove13]

He delivered Caleb Williams but what they forgot was that Riley was coming with Williams-silly SC.

[@nostradamus4828]

For once I agree with you.Usc has a ton of issues that will not get corrected by next season. It's time to wipe the slate and start over from the top down. PERIOD

[@jamesmarshall6619]

The thing about those Pete Carrol teams was that yes, they had a lot of flash, but they also could pound you. As an ASU fan I remember we were up on them in 2005, they came in the second half, started just running the ball down our throat. Against Texas, they were gashing a really good Texas defense, and of course those USC defenses were almost always good and smashing you right back. I like Riley, I want him to succeed but he has to start adapting to being more physical, paying more attention to his defense, and he doesn't have to be Saban. Carrol is nothing like a Saban and he could get his teams to play tough physical football, but he has to instill the mindset. Coaches can adapt, Saban being a primary example of a coach willing to always adapt even if he hates it and Riley needs to adapt.

[@arubial1229]

Riley kinda deserves it honestly. He bolted from Oklahoma at the thought of having to face SEC defenses every week. Now he has to go to the B1G. He needs to just go to the NFL and be done with it.

[@joshuagray5094]

LR needs to hire a physical and angry DC who can offset his softness. That DC needs some assistants who can recruit the big schools in so cal like Bosch, matre dei, etc. The entire culture top to bottom has to flip. No kore fashion show walkouts, team unity walkouts instead where everyone has matching track suits and bags, hitting in practice. I’m sick of this

[@litedawg]

The problem is Riley has no idea who to recruit. He’s never cared about defense and until he changes his entire philosophy he’s never gonna be successful.

[@floridapmi]

@@litedawg He wants to score in a minute every time he gets the ball, you can't build a defense when they are on the field all the time because the offense leaves you out to dry.

[@JamesSmith-vs8nv]

I would go after the defensive coordinator from Cleveland Browns and get the strength and coach away from Georgia. Reevaluate what hasn't worked out when you were at Oklahoma and USC and change it immediately. Recruit like a dog and get some bulls on the defensive and offensive line. Look at Nick Saban and Kibry Smart and attempt to get what they're doing with in their programs and corporate it into your program. He's a good, offensive minded coach but not a good administrator overall.

[@joshuagray5094]

@@JamesSmith-vs8nv agreed. I’m hoping that the disappointing season was enough to make LR reevaluate the entire program and his appraisal as a whole.

[@williehayes3546]

He was OU's commander in chief and he had our full trust. He burned us in the worse possible way.

[@johnl5350]

I don't like Riley as an OU fan, but Dan Mullen should probably shut up. His last game at Florida his team got blasted off the field by, Lincoln Riley's OU team in the Cotton Bowl. The OU's defense dominated the Gators that day too.

[@neilopfer5687]

With this USC win, Chip Kelly may have saved his job as he won LA bragging rights. Amazed that USC with all the talent in Southern California cannot have a better defense. But part of this also is that their defense at USC is on the field too long as the offense often scores quickly.

[@destinyreturns4885]

I don't recall the offense scoring very fast during many of the games in the second half of the season.

[@motap001]

I’ve been a USC fan over 60 years. Good teams come and go. It’s just a game

[@rickyrougs]

dan mullen from the top rope! haha as a gator fan i love it

[@jefferyyepez8546]

IM a Michigan fan Give lincoln riley a chance great offense defense sucks i hope he will get some good recruits everybody wanted jim harbaughs head he got his guys and made the playoffs the last 2 years usc will be god in a few years riley cant walk on water give him a chance and shut up!!!! GO BLUE!!!!!

[@jefferyyepez8546]

GOOD

[@otech88]

It’s only gonna get tougher next year 😬

[@kevinmcfarland4322]

I don’t hate USC, and I still love Caleb Williams, but it’s so damn funny to watch the national media turn on Muleshoe

[@bedlam1314]

Yup, us Sooner fans are laughing that USC paid for gold and got pyrite.