Lincoln Riley arrived in Los Angeles with extremely high expectations at USC after replacing Clay Helton in 2021. Riley did a great job in 2022, winning 11 games despite being hamstrung by Alex Grinch’s defense. In 2023, Riley’s decision to retain Grinch bit him. USC lost five of its final six games in the regular season despite being led by one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, Caleb Williams. The Trojans struggled defensively, ranking No. 121 nationally in scoring defense
SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum discussed Riley’s failure as head coach at USC. He also boldly predicted that Riley would not return as the head coach after next season, which would be shocking after Riley was signed to a long-term contract reportedly worth $110 million.
In a Monday morning segment with “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning,” Finebaum said this:
“I don’t know how you get through that [buyout] except through some negotiated settlement,” Paul Finebaum said. “But I think his only way back is as a coordinator.”
USC opens the year against LSU in Las Vegas and takes on Michigan a few weeks later in September. The Trojans also welcome tough competition against Penn State and Notre Dame in the Coliseum.
While at Oklahoma Lincoln Riley had two Heisman Trophy winners — Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray — and went 55-10 in five seasons with four conference titles in the Big 12.
The idea that Riley will fail at USC is legitimate, but the idea that Riley is out of USC after 2024 is highly unlikely. Even if 2024 doesn’t go exactly to plan, Riley won’t bail on the new defensive coaches he has hired unless something wild — the Dallas Cowboys’ head coaching job coming open — lures him away from L.A.
Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire. Follow our newest sites, UW Huskies Wire and UCLA Wire.
Check out more NFL draft coverage with the USA TODAY Sports NFL Draft Hub.