During Big Ten media days on Wednesday, Lincoln Riley was asked if he had thought about giving up his play-calling duties to focus on the various responsibilities of a head coach at USC.
“I have, the last few years have made me think about it a little bit more than the first several. I have,” Riley admitted. “I don’t want to do anything other than what’s best for the program. Right, like that is the most important thing to me, like whatever I feel will most help us to win… that’s what I’m going to do. I’ve certainly made some adjustments the last few years to allow me to do the things I need to do.”
In the offseason Riley explained that he had relinquished more responsibility with QBs, promoting Luke Huard to quarterbacks coach. In 2023 Riley brought in Kliff Kingsbury as his senior offensive analyst, who worked extensively with the quarterbacks. Balancing time with his quarterbacks has freed him up to be more involved with recruiting, different aspects of the offense and defense, and the transactional side of coaching — the donors.
A huge part of the Sooner and Trojan success has hinged directly on the elite offensive game planning and play calling of Riley. His offenses have been the blueprint for three Heismans and College Football Playoff appearances over his first seven years as a head coach.
Riley shared a conversation with former Florida Gators national champion head coach Steve Spurrier after he took the job as the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners. Riley said the “Head Ball Coach” told him, “Don’t ever give up calling plays.”
However, Riley was clear that he will always put the needs of the team first. “If I ever get to the point where I am not serving the program in the other areas I would give it up in a heartbeat. But if I do feel like I can do it, help our team win, and still be where I need to be on the other parts of the program that’s what I’m going to try to do.”
It doesn’t look like Riley is giving up calling plays anytime soon; it would not be in the best interest of the team. In arguably his worst year as a coach, the Trojans averaged 41.8 points per game. That was good for third in the nation behind LSU and Oregon. His talent for making quarterbacks shine and putting points on the board, facing some of the best defenses in the country when Big Ten play begins, will be needed more than ever.
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