Lincoln Riley Defends and Keeps Alex Grinch

USC coach Lincoln Riley is keeping Alex Grinch and outlines plans for Year 2…

Ryan Kartje (LA Times)  —  After a dismal end to the season for USC’s defense cast some doubt on his coordinator’s future, coach Lincoln Riley has elected to stay the course with Alex Grinch.

Riley made that decision official Tuesday, offering a vote of confidence in his defensive coordinator amid pleas from frustrated fans who spent the last week calling for his ouster.

“I know what he’s made of,” Riley said of Grinch. “I know what’s getting ready to happen defensively. And so, I just have a confidence and a belief there, not just in Alex, but the other guys in the room.

“I’ve been through it enough with that guy to know, don’t bet against him.”

The final month of USC’s season had offered little reason for optimism about the direction of its defense. USC allowed nearly 2,000 yards over its final four games, unraveling at the most inopportune point of its season.

The defense was dominated by Utah in the Pac-12 Conference title game, erasing any hope of what had been an improbable run to the College Football Playoff. But the nadir didn’t come until last week, when USC fell to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl, giving up more than 10 yards per play as the Trojans relinquished a 15-point lead in the final five minutes.

In the lead-up to that defeat, Grinch was asked how much he believed USC’s defense had accomplished in his first season as coordinator.

“The answer is, ‘Not enough,’” he said. “You’re charged with having a championship-level defense at USC. You signed up for that. We played good enough defense 11 times. We didn’t play good enough defense two times, but I don’t take a lot of solace in that. We were expected to have a championship-level defense, and we weren’t able to do that in the ’22 season.”

By retaining Grinch, Riley is betting on that leap to championship level taking place next season. But considering how much of its top talent USC has already lost on defense, it could be an uphill climb for the Trojans’ embattled coordinator.

USC will be without at least its top defensive lineman from last season, Tuli Tuipulotu, and its top cornerback, Mekhi Blackmon, who have declared for the NFL draft.

USC has added five transfers on defense, including All-Big 12 linebacker Mason Cobb from Oklahoma State. Whether it’s enough to weather the loss of its two most impactful defenders remains to be seen.

latimes.com

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ATL D.D.S.
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January 15, 2023 6:41 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

WTF? is this tongue in cheek, AW?

TrojanRJJ
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January 15, 2023 8:55 am
Reply to  ATL D.D.S.

ATL, it is not. I read the same thing. I have totally given up on SC as an educational institution (I have long ago stopped supporting SC financially). While I am not a big fan of his, Jonathan Haight (a professor of sociology at NYU) has divided American Universities and Colleges into two types: (a) social justice institutions and (b) truth-seeking institutions. In our time, virtually all colleges and universities were truth-seeking institutions. NOW, the vast majority are not – they are social justice institutions. Among the problems with social justice universities is they are engaging in deception. Do you… Read more »

ATL D.D.S.
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January 16, 2023 7:23 am
Reply to  TrojanRJJ

I think you have described the situation clearly, RJJ. I will be recommending my grandchildren to Hillsdale College and/or Grove City College.

Steveg
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January 14, 2023 6:20 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Perhaps LR is not used to the negative press coverage and will respond with something that looks like a defense. Granted you have to go with what you have, but in time I hope this turns around his thinking and reputation as an offense only coach. Not sure that Grinch is going to be the guy to do it, but it looks like he has one more year to prove himself.

Steveg
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January 13, 2023 5:07 pm

Pretty good linebacker from GA just entered the portal. Trezmen Marshall.

Steveg
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January 13, 2023 5:02 pm

I read that USC is at 85 scholarships right now. Somebody will need to leave, perhaps Fords scholarship will to go the defense.

Jamaica
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January 13, 2023 3:53 pm

i do not blame Grinch totally for the dismal defensive play and it’s lack of improvement during this past season. Alex Grinch had what LR provided him to work with and build. You can’t make much of a defense with little talent & poor depth. What Alex Grinch must do is convince LR he is not going to win championships here at USC without a top level defense. It just isn’t going to happen. Will Grinch be able to cut into LR’s Hunger to fill up with offensive players and what’s leftover goes to the defense? This next season will… Read more »

Trojan5
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January 13, 2023 1:51 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Georgia has 4 & 5 stars stacked like firewood. Today two 4 stars and one 5 star defensive players entered the portal. Neither of them were 1st teamers but did get playing time. Problem for them is that Georgia has another crop of 4/5 stars signed who appear to have a higher upside. Georgia s a machine and they aren’t going to slow down anytime soon.

ATL D.D.S.
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January 13, 2023 8:04 am

Thinking about the transfer portal, I wonder if some kids who were good players but not starters, just want a change of scenery. I attended SC for 8 years in a row and i got pretty tired of the same sights at the end of my time there.

TrojanRJJ
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January 13, 2023 8:47 am
Reply to  ATL D.D.S.

ALT, I think that makes sense for the Kyle Fords of the world. Kyle is a solid collegiate player but a marginal pro player. (If he were a solid NFL player, he would have left for the NFL). He was not going to play much at SC; he has his SC degree; why not try an adventure and play for another program. If I were in his shoes, I would be looking at another large job market area. Perhaps try where I now live. He has seven colleges to try – OK, OK St, Ark, TCU, SMU, Texas, and Baylor.… Read more »

Steveg
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January 13, 2023 4:43 pm
Reply to  TrojanRJJ

Nobody WANTS to live there.

Golden Trojan
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January 13, 2023 4:48 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Three WRs out, 5 linemen in, addition by subtraction this week, moving past Prime Time!

TrojanRJJ
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January 13, 2023 8:42 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I assumed Garrett Riley would leave TCU after its sensational run. Rumor was he turned down a 3 year/$2 M a year offer from Texas A&M. Clemson would probably be a great landing place for him.

Steveg
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January 13, 2023 4:45 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

One of Clemsons biggest problems has been the QB play. Thankfully they made a change finally, perhaps the new guy will do better, especially with a new offense.

TrojanRJJ
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January 13, 2023 8:16 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Great kid. Helped the team a lot. But, as he is eligible for the NFL draft and chose to play a 5th year in college tells me he does not think he is NFL starter material. That means we are now down to eight in the WR room: Mario Williams, Dorian Singer, Brendan Rice, Michael Jackson, Taj Washington, Hudson-Ware and the two true frosh (both of whom will compete for PT). I wonder why Jordan Addison has not announced he is going pro yet? I expect he will, but why wait? His ankle may be more of problem than we… Read more »

Chris
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January 12, 2023 5:07 pm

Omar Speights is in portal. I know we have picked up and recruited LB pretty well but if that guy is available we need to get him.

Steveg
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January 12, 2023 6:08 pm
Reply to  Chris

I agree Chris. This will be interesting if we get him, will someone upcoming leave.

TrojanRJJ
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January 13, 2023 8:50 am
Reply to  Steveg

Steve, he is a one and done player. He will not impact anyone on the team who we would want to keep. I think LR got it right when he said the D talent that Helton left was subpar (it was a mediocre MW D), and also correct that Grinch did not upgrade it much. My guess is after this year, little of the Helton talent will be left on the team.

Steveg
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January 13, 2023 4:47 pm
Reply to  TrojanRJJ

Good catch, I didn’t realize he only has one year left. I worry about losing those young linebackers Davis and Tabarricci.

TrojanRJJ
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January 13, 2023 8:38 am
Reply to  Chris

Chris, Totally agree. Spieghts would significantly increase the talent on the D. He and Cobb would be our starting ILBs moving Gentry to OLB. Our starting LBs for next year could be Cobb, Speights on the inside and Gentry and Tackett Curtis (probably a bit a push for a true frosh) on the outside. The back up ILBs (who would play a lot) would be Lee and Davis (who looked good against Tulane). The back ups OLBs could be the transfer from GA State and a person yet to be determined. If he develops (a big IF), it could be… Read more »

Golden Trojan
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January 12, 2023 4:45 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

It would fair if one of the guidelines was a coaching change at your current school. What’s fair for coaches should be fair for players.

Steveg
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January 12, 2023 3:19 pm

Kyle Ford is going to the portal.

Golden Trojan
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January 12, 2023 3:29 pm
Reply to  Steveg

Too much competition at WR for Ford or CJ to much play time.

Steveg
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January 12, 2023 3:43 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Like some more huge linemen

Steveg
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January 12, 2023 1:07 pm

Does anyone even know who runs the special teams at USC? I have never heard LR mention it.

Chris
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January 12, 2023 3:03 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Pretty sure it’s either Manning or Kiel McDonald. Both have been ST coordinators at previous schools.

Steveg
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January 12, 2023 3:20 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Hey maybe Grinch can do it, it will take away time from him designing new schemes.

ATL D.D.S.
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January 12, 2023 4:22 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

that is bad.

ATL D.D.S.
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January 12, 2023 4:21 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

😂

ATL D.D.S.
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January 13, 2023 7:55 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

is this a reflection of B1G CONFERENCE attitude towards the los angeles expansion?

HOF19
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January 12, 2023 10:04 am

I only paying just a little attention to the Transfer Portal reports …..But for those that ARE this seems like a good thing >>>>>> Chris Treviño
@ChrisNTrevino
·
18h
#USC has moved up to No. 5 in the transfer rankings and yes, Jarrett Kingston is now rated a three-star transfer prospect

Steveg
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January 12, 2023 1:11 pm
Reply to  HOF19

He is rated .89 on 247. I he was rated .8901 he would be a four star. Still a good get.

Chris
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January 12, 2023 2:18 pm
Reply to  Steveg

Not sure how they rate players but JK is a multiple year starter and all conference at left tackle. He’s at least one of the 5 or 6 best tackles in the PAC12. with graduate transfers there is no projecting, we know what they are. He is good. Seems to me a 3 star ranking is silly.

RialtoTrojan
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January 11, 2023 9:28 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I just read this on Facebook. It’s hard to believe I hope USC does something to commemorate his passing.

HOF19
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January 12, 2023 9:17 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

DANG ! ………. This is Super Bad News…..He Will Be Missed ! ….. R.I.P. Charles……….Sad sad day …………………………………….

Golden Trojan
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January 11, 2023 5:34 pm

USC is now ranked 5th best in 247 Sports 2023 Transfer Portal Rankings with 11 transfers. 6 of which are defensive players. LR and Grinch are doing to the defense what LR did to the offense last year. And it’s only January 11.

By the way Colorado is ranked 2nd with 21 transfers. 6 are from Jackson State including Deon’s QB son.

TrojanRJJ
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January 12, 2023 7:03 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Thanks for the quote. It does clarify a lot of things. For me, it shows that when LR took over the mess that Helton had left behind, he took over the O and trusted Grinch to handle the D. The results show Grinch is no LR. LR is clearly now focused on the D. He has clearly decided that the first step to solve the problem on D is a significant upgrade in the talent of the front 7. Grinch should have addressed this better in his first year. He did not and LR is now forcing that issue. Once… Read more »

TrojanRJJ
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January 12, 2023 8:22 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Thanks for the great story. Hard to imagine a hard nose Midwestern football coach moving to Newport Beach and coaching a bunch of surfers.

USCMD
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January 11, 2023 4:38 pm

Is Lincoln Riley, stupid? Absolutely not, in fact hes a certified genius. So why keep a guy, in such a critical role, if he can’t get it done? Riley saw the improvement, at both Wash and OK in year 2 under Grinch. Tough ask, after losing possibly the top 2 players on this years defense. But the genius of LR, is keeping Grinch is a win/win. Either Grinch brings in new talent and coaches them up…..or 1 year from today, USC is set to poach a Def genius from the big 10, who is familiar with the talent and OC’s… Read more »

Chris
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January 11, 2023 3:54 pm

Thank goodness for this message board. I am tired of reading thoughts from a bunch of people who have zero idea on actually how to coach football but pretend they know more than Riley.

did our defense stink? Yes. Do Riley and Grinch know this? Yes. Are they going to do something about it? That’s also a yes. Do I think Riley will let everyone go if next year looks even remotely close to this year? Yes, for sure.

Petero
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January 11, 2023 2:19 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Was waiting all week to hear that.. Not a bad week for recruiting. Plug in starters on both OL and DL

UtahTrojan
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January 11, 2023 2:20 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Well this is good news.

TrojanRJJ
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January 11, 2023 2:26 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

Utah, Looks to me that the entire front 7 (save Gentry) is being replaced. In fact, I would not be surprised if most of the 2 deep on the front 7 is replaced. I expect Shane Lee will be 2nd string and Talenti (spelling?) probably the being the only two to survive. I have totally given up on Corey Foreman. He was horrid in the Tulane game. I watched him when he came in and was totally useless.

UtahTrojan
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January 11, 2023 2:28 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I just wish I had faith in Grinch. He has a lot to prove.

TrojanRJJ
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January 11, 2023 2:29 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I think his O is done. He could use a TE (Duece Robinson would be a great addtion) and one more OL. Clearly is focusing on D. Still could use more DL and more LBs.

TrojanRJJ
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January 11, 2023 2:11 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Well, I totally agree that that most of the talent on the two deep of this year’s front 7 on D was not very good (in fact, other than Tuli, I doubt ANY of them are NFL talent (save Gentry), with many being Mountain West level talent). But I do not view that as an excuse for the horrible performances particularly against Utah (in the Championship game) and against Tulane. LR is moving to address the problem. Just signed Lucas from Texas A&M. A 5 star DL. So far, on D, they have signed via the portal two other DL,… Read more »

TrojanRJJ
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January 11, 2023 12:40 pm

Y’all know I am no Grinch fan. LR decided it was better to keep him than to replace him. I have no idea why LR made that decision. As I have also written, I am in complete agreement with Allen that LR has earned the right to have his choice respected. I wonder if LR has thought through what will happen if SC loses another game critical game like we did the Cotton Bowl. We play 5 critical games next year: Oregon, Washington, Utah, UCLA and Notre Dame. (This is one of the toughest schedules in the nation). To win… Read more »

volunteerTrojan
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January 11, 2023 12:18 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

No, Mr. Grinch, the truth is that we played good enough offense to outrun your poor defense 11 times.

TrojanRJJ
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January 11, 2023 12:22 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Allen, I would say Grinch is the best known for incompetence DC in the nation (at any level); the Cotton Bowl sealed that title for him. And, as I have written below, that reputation will trail him for the rest of his career unless he really changes in 2023. By that I mean SC wins the Pac, makes the playoffs and the D plays well against elite competition. My guess is Grinch’s D will get smoked a couple of times next year and SC will probably not win the Pac again, due to horrible D and awful special teams. I… Read more »

RialtoTrojan
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January 11, 2023 9:21 am

In defense of Alex, I have to choke back my anger, but after reading other accounts of the press conference yesterday, I guess I can. Lincoln Riley, in expressing confidence in Mr. Grinch pointed out two things. First Grinch took a crappy Oklahoma defense (over 400 yards allowed) to a less crappy defense (only 350 yards allowed). Incrementally progressing is progress I guess. Second and most importantly his players were in the right place to make a stop(according to game film watched)but they missed the tackles. This much is true watching the bowl game, what I called slapstick tackles were… Read more »

volunteerTrojan
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January 11, 2023 12:21 pm
Reply to  RialtoTrojan

“In defense of Grinch”. Clever, but it was a poor defense. Sorry RT, I just couldn’t resist, no offense intended.

TrojanRJJ
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January 11, 2023 12:24 pm
Reply to  RialtoTrojan

Rialto, I know I have given up on Grinch. But, it will make for entertaining football. We are hoping that our O scores every time it has the ball, and the D holds the opponents two times a game. AND, never have the outcome of the game in the hands of our D.

RialtoTrojan
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January 11, 2023 3:16 pm
Reply to  TrojanRJJ

I actually heard someone on the team say that. (Or it might have been the TV) but nobody trusted the defense.

UtahTrojan
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January 11, 2023 2:36 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I guess he liked what he saw.

Chris
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January 10, 2023 8:27 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I do for two reasons.

  1. our roster is better than last year. Especially on defense.
  2. We are making the playoff.
Steveg
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January 11, 2023 7:15 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I think CW has a great shot at it but it sure looks like there is going to be tremendous competition for it. Maybe if he can tackle he can go both ways, that should do it.

rleeholder1
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January 11, 2023 7:19 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

First of all, I’m hoping that Caleb stays healthy and completes the season. If he has a remarkable season like this last one, I’m sure he will be a Heisman finalist again. I’m hoping he wins for somewhat selfish reasons as I was a Sophomore at USC in ’74 and thought Anthony Davis was better than Griffin. The following year my classmate Ricky Bell had a phenomenal year including one game rushing for 347 yards, yet Griffin won again. I chalk that up to the East Coast/Big10/SEC bias.

Petero
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January 11, 2023 12:13 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Baring an injury that limits his abilities we have a generational QB/Leader/MoneyMaker Watching him next year will be like watching Bush at his best. Hard to imagine the leap he will make, and he will.. 11-3 I trust LR to improve this team to another level. What other teams go to another level in our swan song to the Pac is another question… After yesterdays Press (Program stability) is vital this moment. Grinch -Next year is your make or break yr. I trust LR’s wisdom to build back USC to dominance. With Big Ten a year away, LR will make… Read more »

UtahTrojan
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January 11, 2023 2:37 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I don’t think so just because you have to do so much better to be considered for a second one. With our defense and schedule we will not have as good of a record.

UtahTrojan
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January 10, 2023 7:30 pm

Boy do almost all of these comments from Grinch sound Heltonesk. If the performance of the D is as bad next year it will hang heavy around the neck of LR and the fans will voice their opinion in the Coliseum.
not happy with this decision but fully expected it, so now I am just hoping for the best with low expectations for success.

Trojan96
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January 10, 2023 7:15 pm

That’s extremely unfortunate. We are going to waste a once in a generation talent. With Grinch and his defensive scheme, best cast were a 10-2 team next season.

Rock2112
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January 11, 2023 4:05 pm
Reply to  Trojan96

After the season, I expressed what my eyeballs told me: Grinch’s scheme had players playing hard and in the right places for the most part. What failed us was an elevated number of brain fart busts (often the defensive equivalent of a fumble), an inability to generate an effective pass rush, particularly at key moments, and obviously the complete lack of effective tackling throughout the season (a problem that only got worse as the quality of opponents improved). All of these things are Grinch’s fault, but there is merit to the fact that we need a personnel upgrade on that… Read more »

Jalenbuck1
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January 10, 2023 7:11 pm

They have brought in a few key defensive transfers, lets hope tackling is high on the to do list!.

illinoisusc
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January 10, 2023 4:11 pm

I was hopeful that Riley might bring a national playoff slot in his second or third year…….was……now I’am hopeful we can be 3-2 playing Oregon,Washington,Notre Dame, UCLA and Utah next year. .

Steveg
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January 10, 2023 4:33 pm
Reply to  illinoisusc

It sure seems that the Pac12 is going to be the most exciting conference for football next season. With the QB’s around the conference anything is possible.

RialtoTrojan
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January 10, 2023 3:23 pm

Well, it’s not the worst news I’ve heard out of USC at the season’s end. I mean compared to renewing Helton’s contract, this is just a blip on my fan screen. More emphasis has been made in recruiting defensive players.
I will not be surprised to hear boos coming from the stadium when the defense fails. Most fans I know are beyond saturated with poor play. If improvement is not evident next season, I see more flack headed towards Riley.

volunteerTrojan
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January 10, 2023 3:56 pm
Reply to  RialtoTrojan

No surprise in the announcement. You hit on something here, RT, that maybe hadn’t resonating with LR and his staff until now, which is the history of the defense leading up to this year. The Clancy and Orlando years have resulted in a very short fuse with the fan base specifically with our defensive performance, probably shorter than with the offense. Regardless, the staff knows now.

Steveg
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January 10, 2023 4:07 pm
Reply to  RialtoTrojan

I was really hoping LR would make a change but I understand his point of view. What he is trying to do is a major undertaking and will take the time necessary to get it done. Continuity in the staff is probably very important to the culture he is trying to build. I remember last year after spring ball LR picked up some very good players, perhaps he can pull it off this year to build the depth on defense. If (or when) Anthony Lucas signs we will have a solid on the D line.

misterusc
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January 10, 2023 2:45 pm

Who didn’t see this coming? Now the pressure is on Riley to make sure the program doesn’t go through this mess again. That being said, we have to live with the decision and hope for the best next season.