USC Football Insider on where Lincoln Riley, Trojans Go from Here

The Caleb Williams era at USC is all but finished as the Trojans wrapped up their regular season against UCLA on Saturday. Now that the Trojans season is wrapped up, Erik McKinney from WeAreSC joins to discuss what's ahead for Lincoln Riley and USC.
Want to learn more and stay up-to-date about the USC Trojans? Head on over to WeAreSC, a USC Website where you won't miss a thing!
www.on3.com/teams/usc-trojans/
Subscribe to On3! ⬇️ kzbin.info?sub_confirmati...
Welcome to On3 | The best of college football and recruiting www.on3.com/
Listen to Andy Staples On3 on podcast!
Spotify 🎧 : open.spotify.com/show/5AhQ4d2...
Apple🍎: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Follow Andy Staples on Twitter: / andy_staples
Follow Andy Staples on Instagram: andy_staple...
Follow us on Twitter / on3sports
Follow us on Instagram on3?hl=en
Like/Follow us on Facebook / on3sports

[@drbuckley1]

CW's win against Texas was the best performance of his college career.

[@destinyreturns4885]

His run against Notre Dame last year was pretty damn impressive too...

[@emunety]

The further he got from Oklahoma the worse he got. Once he got that USC stench on him.

[@reidontravel]

His first real college game appearance too

[@drbuckley1]

First snap. The rest is OU-Texas legend.@@reidontravel

[@RationalMind01]

USC doesn’t need a DC that compliments Lincoln’s offense. USC needs a DC that can recruit, develop talent, and put a scheme that puts USC in the top 30.

[@Maurice181]

THIS comment right here ☝

[@pwho405]

You don't understand LR and how his offense works. Its a defense killer because of how fast he scores.

[@ilikehardplay]

More than that... A DC isn't going to solve the Trojans more generalized problems. USC needs to completely reshape their TEAM culture. Instead of a culture of four- and five-star prima donnas waiting for their star turn, they need to develop a team that is putting in the time in the off-season and the weight room, challenging each other to be the best both individually and collectively,, who maximize effort in practice and the film room, and simply refuse to quit.....whether up by 20 or down by the same. The current USC was a team that got down against UCLA....and most of them just quit trying, because they didn't see anything to play for.

[@brianjacob8728]

There are a lot more issues than just the defense. A new DC doesn't fix everything, but Riley believes it will. This is why he will fail miserably.

[@tonychung857]

If Riley does not drastically improve play on both sides of the ball in 2024, the Trojans need to find a new HC.

[@jeffgeld]

lol tell that to his $120 million contract. USC got scammed by a guy that has never built a program. He was handed the keys to a Ferrari at OU, and couldn't get that car passed the finish line. Y'all are stuck with a guy that can't attract top coaching talent, can't win with the best player in college football, and is about to go to the Big 10. Brent Venables and all OU fans/players/backers/boosters benefited massively from Lincoln's cowardice and desire to live by the beach. USC is stuck with Riley for a while, and I can't see things getting better any time soon.

[@brianjacob8728]

@@jeffgeld Riley has one more year. If next year goes as poorly as I think it will (sub 500), Riley will be gone. USC can't afford another Heltonesque drawn out toilet spiral. Oregon and now Washington are decidedly ahead of them, and UCLA is on par. The fact that all those teams are in the B1G means USC has to deal with in soon, if not now.

[@robnirenberg4727]

Both sides of the ball? He knows nothing about improving a defense.

[@gymzilla12]

I’d say he’s got 2 more years to get it together, very large investment

[@jimdennis5832]

Go back and look at Riley’s performance at OU. EVERYTHING USC is experiencing is EXACTLY what we experienced at OU. He fired Mike Stoops mid-season; the O-line was not where it needed to be (BUT superb QBs could counter that); the defense was dismal (BUT superb QBs could counter that); the run game was not as good as it needed to be, primarily because RPO was the focus, because… superb QBs could counter that problem. Riley cannot operate his system WITHOUT a Heisman quality QB; he is an excellent OC, but he sucks as head coach. He has not made adjustments to counter what was wrong at OU and, frankly, appears unable to understand what to do to correct inadequacies.

[@talon310calif]

We'd love to experience 4 conference championships and 3 playoff appearances. OU fans were not critical of LR while he was their coach. Sure, some people criticized after some losses but hardly any wanted him fired. If they did, they wouldn't have called him traitor after he left. LR has issues. He needs to improve no doubt. Still usc is light years better with him now. Rebuild is a b*tch. OU went through a transition period last season and now is just a tad below of being elite. That said, OU had way more talent and depth than usc did to start 2022 season (and still do) so to compare the HCs would be unfair.

[@JJS1985]

​@@talon310califthat's not entirely true. Especially his last year, lots of OU fans were really questioning how far the team could go with Riley. The defense was always broken, but the offense was deficient that year too. Barely beat a bad Kansas team, got embarrassed by Baylor.

[@JJS1985]

@jim if he can't operate his system without a Heisman QB, then is he really a good OC? If Caleb doesn't initially go to OU, Riley and Rattler go 7-5 that year.

[@talon310calif]

@@JJS1985 what I don't understand is if OU fans didn't like him, why follow everything he does at USC? Why say things like i told you so when very few said that before he left. USC fans don't follow Helton to his new coaching gig and tell their fans I told you so. We are just glad he is gone.

[@JJS1985]

@@talon310calif I think there are a lot of factors for why OU fans were upset with Riley. There was a lot of wasted potential. It felt like that team could have at least won the Big12 that year, had Riley been focused on the team instead of negotiating his next position. The team looked awful against Baylor which is the week Riley went missing. He squarely denied rumors he was going to be the coach at LSU, essentially lying by omission that he was taking another job. Then lied again claiming he didnt know about the offer until after the Bedlam game. He took Caleb and a lot of recruits with him to USC, leaving OU with a weak recruiting class. This was all shortly after OU announced the move to the SEC, so there was a lot of anxiety about whether the team could survive the move. Riley could have done things differently, and most folks would have been OK with him leaving. I don't really care about USC's success or failure, but I do want to see some karma for Riley. And I get why USC fans were excited to have him and defend him. Hopefully soon we can cheer his failure together.

[@jeffccr3620]

Riley has been saying that for 8 years just a few plays away we are so so close 😂 Riley is the Meca of excuses

[@talon310calif]

4 conference championships. 3 playoff appearances. 3 Heisman QBs. Yeah, what a loser

[@Jcharp12]

Yes he is

[@AnthonyJ504]

He said the same thing after getting smoked 63-28 after the LSU game in 2019. "We hung with them, we're very close yadda, yadda" This is what he always says.

[@soonersdevil]

The lime he said about being 4th best team in playoffs wasn't Exactly showing Any kind of backbone...What coach would say that weak stuff?

[@robnirenberg4727]

​@soonersdevil 4th best roster. That's where the coaching comes in. There was enough talent to coach up to a victory except against LSU. Total cop out excuse.

[@mikeparker5403]

When Lincoln Riley sneaked out of Oklahoma the way he did, It shocked the team and the fans. He had been handed the "keys to the Kingdom" then sneaked away like a cat burglar. The old saying, "what goes around comes around" seems to be fitting for Riley.

[@mwright_boomer]

This USC team gives me strong 2021 OU vibes, which leads me to believe Riley might jump ship after this year, which would be good news for USC

[@brianjacob8728]

Hope you;re right.

[@donniedarko979]

He said same shit at OU.

[@rodgerbane3825]

Riley pulled the same slippery BS at OU. You could see in 21 that the product on the field was getting much worse every year and he kept saying " we're close". But as long as he can't accept that football is physical and as long as his S&C guy is Bennie Wiley, It'll university SOFTNESS california. No stud DC is going to be willing to work within LR's framework.

[@TonyB-rv9qd]

Great show keep it coming: fight on...

[@waynegilbertson2314]

USC has no heart.The best players but also the least committed.Something in the culture?

[@Ninjadog47]

That’s for sure

[@richardreed6249]

I wonder if they are regretting that $10 million bank truck?

[@brentoniverson1020]

Yes we are.😊

[@jimfitzgibbon5492]

I can not believe USC can not see the writing on the wall? They made a huge mistake & hoping they are wrong in there thinking. If my son was a 5 star recruit that could pick any School to play for,why would they chose To play under Riley? Riley did not make OU a premiere football power. It was the other way around. Baker Mayfield was at OU before Riley.Murray transferred from Texas A&M. Hurts was also a proven QB transfer from Bama. The press has said Riley made them what they were. Not So! Riley used them & OU to make Him self appear to be bigger than what he really was. The press bought into this hook line & sinker.

[@stischer47]

LOL...and USC is going to play in the Big 10 with everyone gunning for you. Good luck USC. This will be your best season as long as Riley is your HC.

[@timcastens1150]

Get Ed Orgeron to recruit, he knows the area well

[@Maurice181]

Without Caleb Williams, this year's team goes 3-9.

[@user-hm6qv7mk1c]

Caleb who? I don't know who told this guy he was a quarterback.

[@htvlogs80]

LR needs to focus on being a head coach not a play caller. Give up OC duties to Kliff Kingsburg, & bring on a new defensive staff.

[@midnightrider1100]

Lincoln Riley does NOT understand how far the program is away from the level it should be. That is undeniably manifest by his partnership with Bennie Wiley. Bennie is teltale sign of where Lincoln stands.

[@jq042754]

I am kinda excited but cautious to see what happens. He made a mistake in believing his friend was doing his job.

[@terryb3102]

The first and most important decision Lincoln Reilly has to make is the hiring of a legitimate Defensive coordinator, from a program that has annually had defensive success: Alabama, Georgia, Penn State, etc. Base on the defense that new DC runs, will determine who USC signs in the Transfer Portal and recruits from High School.

[@ilikehardplay]

Why would a defensive coordinator from ""Alabama, Georgia, Penn State, etc." want to come to USC? Even it the AD waved around a lot of money....they are supposed to take on the current mess at USC, working for Lincoln Reilly whose butt is squarely on the hot-seat, moving to a town with has a 30-100% higher cost of living, and answerable to an alumni and fan base that regularly has delusional expectations? It makes no sense for an established guy.... The best they can hope for is a a young, hungry, and successful DC from an Other Five or FCS program to come on board. I'd look at Tayler Polk at Troy U. or Ryan Smith at Florida A&M, who both have top defensive programs in their respective conferences and divisions. Or alternatively, doing what UCLA did, finding an up-and-coming defensive specialist in the NFL being groomed for a DC position, and hire them. If Riley, does not know anyone, a phone call to Pete Carroll doubtless will yield a few names.

[@graniteguy8410]

ERICK is delusional

[@mikehappy2620]

Riley is an X's & O's architect. He is not a Coach. An analyst at best.

[@Chilll87]

Best description ever

[@ernestogarciacuadra1055]

"We are close...", exactly right, close to be fired by next season.

[@franknitti100]

USC needs to go do *whatever* it takes to get ISU's DC. Good luck to ya 🤘🏿

[@805Peej]

LR's best QBs are all transfers and the QBs he recruited and developed aren't good enough? Hmm...

[@BigTInTheMorning]

These offensive linemen need to get in the game weight room and train bench, squat, and power cleans. We need strength and explosiveness

[@jeffccr3620]

Dump every coach on both sides of the ball except Simmons that's the only good coach Riley took to L.A. with him #1 move next is dump Bennie Wiley he absolutely the worst Strength coach in the Ncaa Wiley and Manning, Hannson great guys horrible coaches just fact.

[@johnl5350]

Didn't people think OU fans were just bitter and this and that? I thought you "couldn't recruit elite talent to Oklahoma". If Riley was willing to throw his OU players under the bus for losing playoff games, just imagine what he will say about this implosion.

[@christophercottrell8227]

Venables is sticking up on elite DL and LBer’s. He is recruiting lights out at OU. LR was recruiting better at OU, than he is at USC. I don’t understand why.

[@christophercottrell8227]

*stocking up

[@3802er]

They're keeping it quiet like Riley because whoever they're targeting is obviously still in their respective jobs. Personally hoping it is the Lincoln Riley version of a DC - young, proven in his short career, looking to plant his family in LA eg Not a stepping stone to a bigger job and leave after a couple of years, Respected by both where he has coached/played, Installs a stifling SEC type D "would rather stop a TD than score a TD, And above all else understand the O Lincoln runs can create points fast - so expect your scheme and D to be on the field for long stretches of time. Everyone had either Matt Campbell or Luke Fickell as the next HC because Coach Riley was thought as not a gettable candidate - The thinking behind the next DC needs to be the same

[@Callsign_KillerB]

USC should grab Aranda out of Baylor. While the HC gig wasn’t a good fit he’s a great DC. Aranda’s defenses at LSU were elite.

[@gbrivero]

I am watching these rivalry games today and realizing how freaking frustrated I am at our football year. I know it’s just a game, of young men and that the pendulum inevitably swings in both directions for all great programs…. But this year really sucks. What a wasted opportunity. Tragic is the only word that comes to mind. 😕✌🏽fight on!

[@mattrancho]

They will soon realize Lincant Riley is the issue. U can fire the DC, S&C coach, O line coach, etc but nothing changes when your leader is soft, weak minded, no character, self-conscious, and afraid. He is probably worst than Clay Hellton. hellton did not have as Much talent & resources as Riley did. Boosters weren’t opening their paychecks to him like they do to Riley. Even high school kids see how soft Riley is. Why wait another year just to fail & set back the USC program another 2-3 years & fire this soft cupcake coach? Haden waited another year just to fire Kiffin on the tarmac, Swann was too scared to fire Hellton, Bohn gave Hellton another year just to fire him after game 2 in 2021 & caused the worst USC season in recent memory. Have yall not learned USC? End it now. The writing is literally all over the wall.

[@saberstryker99]

😂 man who pissed in your cereal. Clay Helton can’t produce 3 heismen

[@mattrancho]

@@saberstryker99 another weak soft Lincant Riley apologist who dont have an once of competitiveness & championship DNA. U come to USC to win National Championships not Heisman, little boy. Riley was gifted +3 extremely talent QBs & still 0 National Championships. How many Heisman QBs does Kirby have? Exactly. Shut it, adults are talking. Eat your cereal full of your own piss.

[@lestercombs1871]

You had the best college QB I’ve ever seen and you wasted him. Thank God I’m a Buckeyes fan. That’s the team that will OWN SC for the next decade.

[@KillerBrees]

Facts

[@sonofthesOUth77]

If you want to play the “we’re just a few plays away” game then it goes both ways. You were a couple plays away from 5-7

[@tonytruckbum8367]

Not the USC Trojans but the USC Slugs

[@SportZFan4Ever]

USC averaged 28.2 points in their 5 Losses. I thought Lincoln Riley was a OFFENSIVE GENIUS? 🤔 ...USC Needs More than a New Defensive Coordinator.

[@brandenhill71]

After all of the absolute crap that USC fans talked when Lincoln Riley was hired, no one is going to let you walk that back. Own it now. Own your pathetic program. Own your miserable future.

[@marcomoreno3071]

Just saw the KC Philly game. Mahomes and Caleb are clones. Mahomes had an O line that gave him time . Unlike the SC O line.

[@jamesboston8505]

Look USC got exactly what you had in Norman with Lincoln! You got what you deserve! BV is a hellava better head coach

[@boomer_bh_sooner6328]

Riley is the master of the excuse. He fed the OU faithful a steady diet of them for years until he saw the writing on wall and USC came along and gave him a $100 million get out of jail free card. He won’t hire the DC he needs and his S&C coach will still be turning out players who can’t stop opponents or tackle in space.

[@barryfisher4734]

People take Riley's words out of context. What he said, several times, was they were couple plays from winning some of the games which is true with both Utah and Washington. Bit he ALSO said that winning those games wouldn't/t have solved the underling problems. I appreciate that Eric does get the nuance but most others seem to believe he's saying hey we'd win the conference but for a couple of plays so everything is just OK and that's NOT what he's been saying.

[@timmattson6417]

I agree with the premise that Lincoln using that phrase of just a couple of plays away, was a poor choice of words. I do believe he deserves a chance to right the ship, and that starts with the choice of a new DC. From that, if he can change the culture back to a tough, physical, nature, then I think the rest can fall into place. But ultimately, time will tell.

[@bradleydickinson6111]

Told you people

[@Chingon559]

If ruining Caleb Williams chances at playing in the CFP and watching the weekly train wreck the defense was this season doesn’t change how LR coaches nothing will. I am optimistic a defensive genius gets hired as the DC and LR adapts the offense and play calling going into the B1G. The right DC will bring in the right players, both recruits and transfers. It can’t get worse than this season…can it???

[@brianjacob8728]

A change of DC alone doesn't fix things. Riley himself has a lot of issues that he needs to address, but he seems to be oblivious to them. This isn't going to end well for him.

[@geraldroybal7628]

Damn

[@joesmith6972]

I know exactly where the Trojans go from here. To the bottom half of the B1G.

[@jackwagon4313]

This is sweet justice... I remember all the usc fans talking crap a few years ago, nothing sweeter than watching this team implode with spinless Lincoln at the helm, and all the ucs fan boo hoo. Have fun at the Las Vegas bowl. Boomer

[@graniteguy8410]

To be a quarterback guru =. take a 3 star to stardom. easy to look great when u get 5 star player

[@markpinkerton8417]

Bear Alexander was sold a dream

[@Sportsgeek1991]

Nah he was given a apartment and nil lol

[@road3557]

For me, there’s a huge size difference between USC players now and before. Pete Carrolls Trojans all looked like NFL players. Only one word comes to mind this year - Disaster.

[@user-hm6qv7mk1c]

True statement.

[@tonychung857]

Short leash if I’m the new Athletic Director.

[@marklarson601]

Jonathan Smith would be a far better fit for USC. Physical on offense and defense.

[@jim2376]

Duck fan here. Smith would be a good hire.

[@john003prince]

@@jim2376 smith got hc job at michigan state

[@bigboivito]

Next stop, 5-7 season, with the typical "we're close" after game interviews...

[@jonnytarantino]

Leonhard incoming ✌️✌️

[@Jcharp12]

He doesn't like physical football. He should be an OC

[@johnspringer4870]

LR scammed USC, Riley is not a Head Coach, and Character Building is job number one for a Head Coach, building team character is sometimes called USC football culture.

[@brendonwheeler2853]

After watching 6 of their home games, I can absolutely tell you that there are major problems…WR’s seem non existent, the O line is awful, the RB can’t protect the ball for his life, Caleb IS the team, defense plays blitz packages without speed and that results in huge plays and difficult adjustments to make tackles, I could go on and on. Sure, LR could be to blame but the huge picture is accountability for players and coaching staff. After his second year, I can say he has 1-2 years to fix whatever is going on, but I am hopeful for next season. Even though we are the laughing stock of CFB, we had a huge mark in history with another Heisman trophy winner. They really are one piece away from a competent defense. If they had the D they need, they would have easily gone 10-2 or 9-3.

[@brendonwheeler2853]

I will say, if LR focuses on a balanced approach rather than an offensive air raid, he will succeed. But if he can’t change, expect these things to be the end of his reign at USC

[@hughobrien4139]

Over anything else in these college football games this year. The officiating SUCKS!!! Big Time and I’m sick of these commentators ignoring it. Go review the missed holding calls and gross pass interference. This is across the board. 15 yards for pass interference 40-50 yards down field. This rule needs to change. Just tackle the guy if you get beat down field. You guys rattle your mouths about the obvious then half the time I wonder if you’re looking at the same game everyone else is talking about. You can become a well informed fan by reading the comments in these posts better than the dialogue. It’s the officials. They’re screwing with the game too much and there is zero accountability over it. Someone has to put a stop to this slop.

[@john003prince]

refs are bad aross the country they need do like the nfl does

[@sideeye7958]

SC defense is atrocious 😅

[@daleallembaugh9801]

Extend Jimbo Riley contract, next year he'll take usc and kick doors in on Big 10 conference......LOL!!

[@derrickdavis5279]

I think that they will be wotst then this season cause when he loses kalab Williams because he is the reason they won the games games they did

[@AlbertEscalante-rk3nq]

1 Fire Riley snd start over scratch and really look at better coaches and def coaches and other coaches

[@IndyGuy65]

SC was not on the hook for 75 million! I would have fired him yesterday.

[@achillespullo5761]

We're a mess

[@AAblade7]

I’m not a OU fan, but dear got this dude sounds like a OU reporter from 2020. Is Lincoln Riley a cult leader?

[@TruTrojan]

I'm positively not fond of Riley.

[@brucerunning6153]

USC lost 3 games by a total of 4 points. We are in an era of college football where we have more prima donnas than kids willing to work. learn and compete. That's a coaching issue. I wish sportswriters, pundits and podcast hosts would get out of their comfort level and on to the field and impart their "armchair" wisdom. FIGHT ON!

[@joeyclark7630]

Big10 giants will chew up SC next year. CW's best games were at OU, LR needs to go.

[@Kdw65]

Reevaluate the talent. We all got it wrong.

[@Bird-dl7xs]

A person covering USC calls Riley’s delusional talk with, he wants positivity. It’s actually lunacy what he’s saying and you’re buying every word of it.

[@roderickforeman7917]

C’mon y’all…USC is an undisciplined team somehow. Anytime you hear players that are starters say…I didn’t watch film. And your top dawg doesn’t show up to the press talks… Houston we have a problem…You got defensive players standing around watching a tackle instead of trying to get an assist…Just no gang tackling at all.

[@scottmassey4330]

That guy has his head in the clouds about USC. They are way worse than he thinks and assumes. Good luck.

[@charlesstone8292]

What Riley has no experience at is building/fixing a team, developing talent, setting a culture or demanding accountability.

[@petestankis19]

They should demote Lincoln to OC and hire a real HC.

[@paulk.4261]

TBH...I think Riley is not hungry or motivated enough. He only came to USC from another Blue Blood program for the $120 million + $19 million estate by the beach + full access to a private jet. He and his family are financially set for multiple generations and that's why he talks of retiring before the age of 50. Hopefully all this slandering from the OU fans, the national media, and now the USC fanbase "wakes him up" and he starts being a real HC. Just saying.

[@timmcclelland5460]

He waited until the Grinch situation sucked the life out of the program. He’s a poor HC and should be fired immediately. Offensive play calling guy only and only under an HC like Saban who knows how to coach a total football team. True, solid coaches know you build a program from the OL/DL needed to develop the needed toughness . Riley is a total clown who can only dominate football by playing Madden.

[@Chilll87]

Youre a play or 2 away from losing to arizona

[@theNfl_Esq]

He’s eyeing the Texas A&M job…

[@treff9226]

I'm eyeing him leaving Los Angeles.....either he leaves or I do, I just can't take watching Trojans being led by another crappy coach. This clown car of mediocre head coaches has to stop.

[@Stable_Genius]

Why would AtM hire a coach who is failing at a blue blood school with unlimited resources?

[@melroze]

@@Stable_Genius .....because it's Texas A&M...and they're Aggies.

[@shameless1047]

@@Stable_Geniususc nil is horrible right now. They need to get that figured out ASAP. I’d they start offering the same amount as Oregon, those players would not be going it Oregon or anywhere else really

[@Stable_Genius]

@@melroze 😂

[@ArthurLarry]

All the Oklahoma fans in this comment section follow Lincoln Riley around like a toxic ex Lol

[@michaelparrison1766]

Lincoln Riley 🤢 Obviously Needs To Hire A Offensive Coordinator, QB Coach And Special Teams Coach Period.......

[@pedrogudino1133]

A new error ahead

[@chuckincharlie776]

The Dude has multiple playoff appearances and double-digit wins every year but the COVID season (9-2) and this year, 3 heismans, 3 playoff appearance, 4 big 12 title wins all before the age of 40, and people are trying to write him off. His faults are obvious, but he still has as strong of a resume as you'll find outside of Saban/Smart/Dabo. This media narrative surrounding him as a head coach is getting to a laughable level

[@fullarmorofgod9638]

He did most of that in a weak 10 team big 12 he teams are just to soft.

[@cj8867]

Lot of excuses

[@brentoniverson1020]

Rileys a ding bat for extending gRinch in 2022-2023. That's all folks.

[@oomagooma1107]

If UCLA's defense could have improved year over year against USC, then USC can see improvement in one year. Riley must become a Head Coach now instead of the highest paid Offensive Coordinator in CFB. Purge the remaining Oklanhoma chronies, and staff. Get a new OC, Special Teams, Strength/Conditioning coaches and a California friendly recruiting director. Must shape the culture and identity of USC as traditionally tough.

[@willsmith8586]

There isn't such thing as manifesting anything. You have to do things to make things happen. Turned it off right there.

[@DB-cx6cb]

❌❌❌Fisher and Lincoln scammed under Heisman quarterbacks. Lincoln makes SC look quite foolish.

[@andrewmohrmann3599]

Lincoln Riley is perfect for a soft, overrated, loud for no reason team like USC. All flash, no substance, no chance in the B1G. Watching him run another school into the peak of softness is just delightful. I can’t stand USC and being tethered to this loser for the next decade couldn’t possibly make me happier. #FailOn ✌️ you SoCal losers 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@billybeason350]

His days are numbered, he's not a good coach for USC.

[@user-hm6qv7mk1c]

USC has no quarterback. The one trying lacks mental capacity. Sorry, I wish I could say something different

[@LegolasFan69]

This dude is a homer in denial… Riley is the problem not Grinch

[@bryanroyal7099]

What is the dollar amount on this 7-5 team, and how many NIL Maserati’s are parked in the players parking lot? Is Lincoln really the issue?

[@showtimebruin7821]

Caleb Williams’ legacy at USC is like Troy Aikman. Aikman transferred to UCLA from OU also and played two remarkable seasons in Los Angeles.

[@mitchconner2021]

You calling this season remarkable? Lol man yall are out of touch out west 😂

[@jaunenito]

The MAJOR difference in your comp is that Troy stepped on UCLA's campus with a National Title Ring from from OU!

[@user-zb3fe7rk9e]

Riley will leave next year

[@saulvillicana292]

It seems LR doesn't understand what it means to be at USC. He made comments that he didn't need to recruit players from Southern California and that he would just go out and get best the players nationally (hasn't done that). The problem with that is Southern CA, has some of the best players in the country and USC became great because of the players from California. The rest of the country, Oregon in particular are out recruiting us in our backyard. He ain't a USC guy and we need a person that truly understand what USC stands for and the type of football and culture that is played. Dominating defense and a showtime offense. Okie fans...stop already. Its sad that its been 2 years since he left and you're still not over it. You guys sound desperate and frankly pitiful. We will move on much faster than OU did and we will get it right now that Jen Cohen is the AD. She did amazing things at Washington and I look forward to the changes she'll bring if/when LR is fired. I'm not worried, USC will be back.

[@brandonmashburn7707]

Hahahahahahaha

[@marjorieanderson8626]

LOL. USC fans are whining more about Riley and his 7-5 catastrophe than even the OU fans did when he left. No OU fans are just enjoying a little schaude at your all's expense.

[@user-yl7kc7un8q]

😀😃😄😁😆😅🤣😂

[@adryellehastings4675]

Lincoln...Call iowa State a get permission to speak with the Defensive Coordinator about your opening at SC..

[@gustavogutierrez5024]

Lol Texas just rolled them

[@adryellehastings4675]

@gustavogutierrez5024 Go back and look how many Times he has had the best defense in conference and one of the best nationally over the last 6-7 yrs..Iowa stste doesn't recruit anywhere near the level of Usc..I'm a Texas fan by the way..This is how I know Heacock would be a great get for Lincoln as Dc..

[@gustavogutierrez5024]

@@adryellehastings4675 I’m a Texas fan also but let’s be honest usc isn’t recruiting well either, yes better than Iowa state but I don’t think it’ll change much at usc I think there currently sitting at 19 in recruiting and most likely going to drop more after some flips.

[@adryellehastings4675]

@gustavogutierrez5024 to compare the Sc gig to the Iowa state gig is buffoonery..Did you check Heacocks rankings since he has been at Iowa State?He would be a World's better than Grinch..Plus Iowa State would KILL for a top 20 class..

[@gustavogutierrez5024]

@@adryellehastings4675 regardless my opinion is hiring him or don’t hire him , the DC isn’t going to make a difference in what’s going on at usc , clearly the offense is struggling major now, without Caleb I doubt usc would have won more than 3 games and those are facts let’s not act like the defense was the difference on why the lost games.

[@patrickwelch1010]

With every problem there are opportunities. We can analyze this to death . Baby steps. Hire the defensive coordinator. Then decide on which of the other coordinators are asked to leave. The sun will rise and so will USC.

[@michaelparrison1766]

Lincoln Riley Must Very Quickly Realize That This Is USC And Not Oklahoma, We Must Hold Him Strictly Accountable 🤢

[@bobbailey6398]

What’s that mean? USC hasn’t been relevant for a decade. I would say USC has a much greater capacity for mediocrity than OU - at least given the last decade or so. You sure seem very comfortable with it. OH wait. …. Football Mecca. Sorry I forgot. I’ll just go back to chewing some grass..

[@robnirenberg4727]

He was held accountable at OU.

[@OklahomaDNA]

Lincoln has missed on QB, the reason why Caleb Williams is the USC QB is because Lincoln missed. Spencer Rattler is a bust. So it's possible USC could miss again, then what??

[@melroze]

Also the only reason he recruited Caleb was because Brock Vandagriff decommitted and he can't even get off the bench at Georgia.

[@cusaris6185]

✌️🤡✌️