If Caleb Williams is gone, the ‘climb’ for USC has fallen back to base camp
Williams’ farewell after UCLA-USC Saturday felt awfully like a goodbye-for-good, and if so, head coach Lincoln Riley will face a slew of tests in program-building
Luca Evans (OC Register) — LOS ANGELES – This was a strange setting for a finale, rain falling softly across Caleb Williams’ face Wednesday night, campus pitch-black beyond the turf at USC’s practice field.
How do you want to be remembered? he was asked, the quarterback setting his jaw for a moment.
“I honestly haven’t thought of anything like that,” Williams said, “but I’d say a player that went out there and gave his all every play, every chance he got.”
“Obviously as a player,” he continued later, “you want to go down and try and be one of the best and greatest players ever.”
It was clear, though, on Saturday, that he’d thought about that legacy. Williams walked into the Coliseum pregame and turned, to soak it all in. He hopped across the grass postgame, holding his hands up in acknowledgment under the arch of the peristyle, even after a 38-20 loss to UCLA.
And then he was gone, declining to speak to media postgame. And gone, maybe, for good.
“No matter what happens going forward,” Lincoln Riley said on Thursday, “it’s certainly been a tremendous ride.”
The ride sure felt like it ended against UCLA in a game where USC showed little fight and little heart and dropped to 7-5 in a season that began with championship hopes. Williams hasn’t made a clearly expressed decision as to his NFL future, but returning for a third year as a Trojan could be career suicide – remember Matt Leinart? – in a program that has far more questions than answers. And the reality of USC’s future, then, has become clear.
In games across his two-year career where Williams accounted for more than three touchdowns, USC has gone 14-3.
In games where he’s totaled three touchdowns or less, USC has gone 4-5.
If Williams has not been spectacular, this program has been mediocre for two years of Riley’s tenure. And without his prodigy under center, with the defensive cleaning-house that’s already begun and will only continue, this will become the most important offseason of his coaching life.
So a never-ending scroll unravels before a move to the Big Ten, where life will only get harder, the checklist staggering:
Connect on a home-run hire at defensive coordinator, and rearrange staff according to his vision
Throw money at the best quarterback that hits the transfer portal, or risk rebuilding around backup Miller Moss and unproven freshman Malachi Nelson (as Riley said Thursday, “I don’t know that I’m in a position to say, yes, we will go after a portal quarterback. And don’t know that I’m in a position to say that we wouldn’t either.”
Piece together some sort of offensive line – from untested returners, transfers, and a recruiting cupboard not exactly laden with talent – that can hold up without Williams’ scrambling magic
Reconfigure a defensive line that will lose two of its most impactful players, in Jamil Muhammad and Solomon Byrd, with little help besides Atlanta edge Kameryn Fountain on the way in the ’24 class.
When asked postgame Saturday if he felt major changes to USC’s culture and personnel were necessary to move the program in a better direction in his third year, Riley pointed first at the removal of Alex Grinch, then expanded big-picture.
“We knew this was gonna be a climb … everybody wants the clean, smooth road to the top,” Riley said, “and that’s for the movies.”
They entered this year, though, closer to the peak of the mountain than they end it. The championship window, if Williams has gone, has slammed shut. To the outside eye, this has not been a climb, in Riley’s second year.
This has been a freefall, all the way down to base camp, needing to start the trek over again without their guide behind center.
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If SC rushes this DC hire too much they are going to loose in the quality of the hire. Quality is more important than the timing. Recruits are going respect the hire. Cohen and Riley cannot afford to miss on this one. SC needs headlines on this hire!!! As far as Caleb goes. Offensive line and the development of those lineman is a major issue for SC. Caleb was running for his life last year. With a less athletic QB that is a huge problem!! For Riley to have success he will need to change his offense to a run… Read more »
I agree. LR’s definitely gonna have to modify his “hero ball” approach to offense, which neuters the running game (at least it does under LR) and puts way too much pressure on his horrible defenses every season.
A fantastic new DC is required to get USC back to the elite level. But so must LR alsoimprove his currently insufficient approach to offense, and he definitely has to run the ball better and more consistently against better teams.
USC’s three pitiful rushing yds the entire game vs little gutty UCLA shows where “hero ball” gets you against a good D.
Saw a name pop up for Indiana that would be an interesting option to Lancelot Linc . . . Jon Gruden. But with the uber woke Folt, mentioning Gruden would be an insult to the present prez and board.
Absolutely it’s going to be an uphill battle this coming season and then some if LR insists on continuing cutting corners using the Portal way way way too much as he has, not building the program “the RIGHT way” through recruiting HS athletes. What’s his problem? Doesn’t he see how the top 5-programs are doing it year in & year out recruiting HS’ers and developing them? I hope he gets the full treatment this off season on fanbase/alumni/press disenchantment making poor choices. If he doesn’t have the ability to recruit the right kids then hire someone who does!!!!!!!! Jen Cohen,… Read more »
Here’s what Lincoln Riley said to The Athletic’s Antonio Morales about Jen Cohen: “She’s been tremendous. It’s a tough time to start to develop because she got here right as the season was starting, but we’ve been able the last few weeks to have a lot of great conversations, and her experience, her aggressive mentality, she’s an effective communicator, she’s a really good strategist. She is going to be tremendous in I think helping give us the pieces we need, helping us navigate the challenges and obstacles that are out there. “She’s got a great way about her. She’s got… Read more »
I like her as well as you would someone having just met bringing an impressive list of successes. Actually, its a little early to say beyond that.
How she manages to correct the mess Riley has let develop. It will be One of her future crowning achievements at SC.
Starting to?
He was all in on day 1 at SC. All words, little action.
I would ask him, what makes him believe that SC still wants him at $10mm a year? He certainly has alienated lots of alumni, you know, all those with “untrained eyes.”
I understand your point…however we have to keep in mind how fickle SC Alum and fans are….win championships, parades, feasts, celebrity.
No championship, conference or otherwise…
someone get the Guillotine.
Well said. LR is forced to use the Portal as he is ineffective in recruiting. He can’t attract the top local kids and we have no national scope due to his record. SC can no longer effectively recruit MD and Bosco. Part of the problem is SC’s NIL program, which LR has endorsed and the other part is LR’s arrogance. In many respects, just like at Oklahoma where he never won an NC. I see the years ahead filled with empty LR promises, similar to the Helton days. It’s unfortunate for SC to spend all those dollars for a HC… Read more »
I know he has had some off-the-field problems but there are some wondering is Soph QB Kaidon Salter is thinking about leaving his 11-0 (# 22 AP Poll) Liberty University to play at a higher level conference . (Only Jayden Daniels of LSU and Bo Nix are currently ranked higher than Salter in the Country right now ) .
Sounds good lol … remember though. CW had a full year of combat w/ LR prior to coming to SC. We cannot expect a transfer to just throw up 40 points a game like Caleb. Unfortunately, due to the lack of D and size, speed and personnel. Next year’s qb cannot be a game manager. He will have to be dynamic (my god how good was Caleb) and those do not come around very often. And LR doesn’t strike anyone as a run the clock, lean on the D, type of guy.
Btw, how’s this for a twist of fate. That nice looking Tulane qb is apparently shopping around to join the big leagues. How funny would it be if LR landed him lol. It’s sounds like he will end up at Notre Dame, so he could will haunt us like Tony Rice.
Okay I know we’re all unhappy with this season but let’s take a moment to think about where we were 2 years ago at this time versus where we are now. If in November 2021 right before Thanksgiving someone told me we’d hire Lincoln Riley as our coach, go 11-3 in our first year, have a Heisman winning QB, and play and lose in the Cotton Bowl and the follow that up with a 7-5 season the next year but not be as good, I would have taken it in a heartbeat. Our success last season hid a lot of… Read more »
Good points. But it was just the way we lost. That Olay D embarrassed us nationally … for 2 years. Opposing coaches mocked LRs as 7on7 summer camp coach. When Pete had to rebuild his mess, he lost that first year, but opposing teams were not laughing. They knew what was coming. No one knows what is coming with LR now. We do know he has a lot to prove.
MAN ….Trojan Daily Blog seems to be in a foul mood lately ( would love to have the circumstance to have Allen and LR do an interview together with the Stipulation Allen could ask anything he wanted to ) …..Fight On!!!!!
Hah. Lincoln would have me kicked off campus. But based on his history, I’d be right back on campus the next day after he said he should have handled it differently.
These are very exciting times in Trojan football, especially with so much uncertainty.
Do you think Lincoln has been a good choice for USC? Would you hire him again if you knew his now obvious weaknesses?
Do you think he’s even in the top third of coaches currently in the Pac-12?
I think the next 12-24 months of LR’s career WILL DECIDE how long he will be able to get/hold a job as a head coach at a TOP Level football program or does he end up coaching say ….The Universirty of Minnesota or Villanova .
Agree … he is losing 5-7 games next year due to that schedule. It’s how he loses them that will tell the story. 2025 is going to huge for him. Schedule is easier, should have a new DC and experienced qb.
I agree with you HOF19. I said in a recent post that this off season and the first half of the first game will tell us all we need to know about LR.
Let’s face it, the B12 just wasn’t very competitive in his years as HC at OK. It was easy for him to accumulate the record he did. His approach has been revealed as seriously flawed. He has no choice but to adapt or disappear into irrelevance.
Answer … Thought it was a great hire.The D was worrisome beginning at Zona last year but thought LR would always score.Tulane was a complete embarrassment. Blew it off as the usual SC non Rose Bowl, toilet bowl game effort (it’s become a tradition) and blamed Grinch, of course. Then this mess. Having seen what Jedd did at Zona and what that mouthy little prick at Oregon has done. Wish we would had hired one of them. The answer is go full Texas/Suckisian. Buy all kinds of talent and a big time staff, money be damned. It saved Suck, this… Read more »
Sark and Kiffin are both doing exceptionally well these days, and if money was all it took to make coaches great, Jimbo Fisher would still be employed.
I think you’re just embarrassed that Kiffin and Sark are both among the better coaches in CFB now.
Many schools would take either one of those two over Lincoln Riley at this stage, and it wouldn’t even be a debate.
Kiffy lol lost 5/6 last year and was drubbed in the big games this year, one by 52-17. Fraud as usual.
Suck is having a Coach O fluke type year, with the same career results coming. Texas doesn’t mess around with dopes. Those clowns are not going to last as usual.
LR unfortunately just looks like a more amiable Kiffin and a smarter Suck but just as lazy.
USC’s fall from grace: How the Trojans regular season ended in disappointment Antonio Morales (The Athletic) — Other than Caleb Williams, who was great this season but made more critical mistakes than last year, it’s hard to pinpoint many positives from this season. The running game faltered against most good defenses. The receivers didn’t make as many plays as they did a year ago. The offensive line played worse than a year ago. The run defense was every bit as bad as it was last season and the pass defense was worse. Like the stunning collapse against Tulane, all three phases… Read more »
With all of the failures the past two years, one wonders how we benefitted from having one of the highest paid HC’s in college football. If not the highest paid. It seems to me that Riley has been exposed as a would be HC. Even if viewed as an OC, he has failed. Yes, he had a Heisman QB, but certainly few of the surrounding players that are required to have a top O. Do we now have Helton, Part Deux? LR has gone so far as to repudiate the goals at SC and has stated that the team sets… Read more »
Tirebitter you mentioned earlier that USC will not do “pay for play”. If so that may be part of LR’s difficulty recruiting. He may be complaining about that behind closed doors and forced not to talk about it publicly. Instead he is forced into platitudes and say nothing pressers. I’m looking for changes at the president and board chair regarding the stance on NIL. If not USC football and basketball may be doomed to mediocrity.
If Lincoln can’t figure out how to say anything more intelligent than the insipid ramblings he chooses to spill out after every loss, he should take a USC communications class. What he’s doing doesn’t work.
Nice use of “insipid.” Reminds me of my high school band instructor who would call out weak instrument playing as “insipid and anemic”, which in turn reminds me of the SC defense.
Perhaps, but I don’t see them changing. I don’t think college basketball is going anywhere given the need for “one and dones.” Hardly an activity the students can (and would) relate to.
Tirebiter, The way around this rule was pioneered by Texas A&M. The boosters form a private NILs independent of the school. The athlete then signs the NIL with that booster cooperative. For example, OR has an “independent” NIL group which performs this service. I think it is called State Street and it is run and funded I think by Nike. In essence, the OR football players are employees of Nike. This gives OR a huge advantage in talent acquisition. Rumor has it that the OR NIL offered Cam Rising $3 Million to play next year for OR. Supposedly the Utah… Read more »
I would say that those “ways around the rules” are not legitimate and cannot stand the scrutiny of the inevitable IRS audits. In no way do a few visits to a non profit fundraising activity justify a payment of a Rolls or other substantial compensation. It’s just a thin fig leaf that will soon be addressed by the IRS. Then all these schemes will be disclosed for what they all really are – pay for play! All of this could lead to an examination of the non profit status of a university, not to mention the formation of player unions.… Read more »
There are two parts to rebuild USC football. The first is the NIL Collective arrangements with USC. That is on the Board of Trustees, Carol Folt and Jen Cohen. They need to fix that fast before signing day. The second part is Lincoln Riley’s staff. That is on Jen Cohen and Lincoln Riley. She is now in position to start calling the shots. I will waiting to see what happens. “Little” things, like the free use of a vehicle for every scholarship athlete would be a good start. Look for the collectives to be out from under the thumb of… Read more »
Did you tell your son that what goes around comes around? You’ll know when someday your son says to you, “Hey Dad, I got the full Mike Garrett treatment the other day.”
That’s a funny Mike Garrett anecdote. I’d like to see some quotes from him about USC’s current state of affairs.
Say what you want about MG in his dealings with people, but He wanted to win in football and based on his hirings, he brought in college & Pro coaches, new & formers SC coaches. And if they didn’t pan out, they were fired. I believe he would be all over LR right now if he was still AD. The dust never settled with MG unless you won enough games to make the alumn/fanbase satisfied. With all the hirings he made, it was bound to happen eventually there would be issues with violations. And it finally happened during PC’s reign.… Read more »
I recall Mike as an all guts and leadership 180 pound sophomore half back (running over defensive backs) playing for John McKay. And two seasons later, he is winning the Heisman. Whatever Mike’s shortcomings as an AD, I speculate that Ol Mike would have have not left a message for LR, following Tulane’s come from behind win, last season, but would have opted for a closed door one- on- one meeting in the locker room with the offensive genius during which all of the chronic problems on defense and with LR’s inexplicably poor team preparation would have been “mutually” resolved… Read more »
Little did we know that last year’s Cotton Bowl loss to TUL (when both Riley and Grinch were at their worst) was a precursor to what USC would look like in a lot of 2023 games.
The whole universe knows he needs a reboot. If he doesn’t know it himself then Cohen goes to Folt and the Board for the okay to tell him what the plan is. He can get with the plan or quit. If Folt and the Board won’t back Cohen then she should walk. If you see Cohen walk then USC is not serious about football and just wants the BIG10 TV money to fund women’s sports.
To SC’s credit, they did step up to hire what they thought was a top HC that could return SC to NCs. I doubt very many were not happy with that decision. But now, after two years, LR has not build a program, SC is in the tank. Recruiting is not working. Major powerhouse HS programs are no longer feeder programs. To which LR responds that we recruit nationally. Is he serious? With his record, he can’t recruit nationally, or even locally. His arrogance is costing SC far more that the $100 mm or so he is being paid.
The challenge now is finding any national CFB writer who has anything positive to say about LR, his approach, or his staff. Please let me know if you ever find anything that isn’t based on 2022.
As you know, until the program is successful, it won’t be touted in the press. When you get former supporters like Colin to now denigrate the program, it adds to the lack of attractiveness for recruits. We are screwed and are paying $100mm for it.
It’s amazing how quickly LR was able to completely sink USC to the dregs of the bad bowl teams. Once ND kicked our butts, all the wheels fell off. I’m looking forward to reading and hearing LR’s most current excuses or denials as we move through the now all-important early LOI Days (12/20 – 22). LR faces the daunting task of re-re-building a fractured, humiliated program that has basically somehow remained stuck at Clay Helton-coached levels. How now-beleaguered LR expects to successfully move forward as he enters year 3 at messed-up USC football should be a sight to behold, both… Read more »
Seemed the wheels started falling off at ASU … when LR and his shitty staff were completely out coached by that kid ASU coach. Then the miserable 2nd half vs CU when they nearly blew a 45-14 lead !
It all began after that strange bye week and that F ed interview Times interview by LR.
Allen, You seem to be in a rage about LR. Didn’t Lane Kiffin lose 5 of this last 6 a year ago? I doubt there was any national CFB writer who had anything positive to say about him last year. Kiffin seems to be fine this year. LR made a huge mistake with Grinch. I think he will learn. Problem is the mistake may take at least two years to recover from. If SC gets its “pay for play” NIL in place quickly, may take only a year. LR’s mistake with Grinch killed both 2023 and 2024; LR should be… Read more »
I actually feel sorry for Lincoln Riley. Poor guy. He’s got this big USC football job now and he looks a lot more like he should be coaching SJS or NEV. He’s a play-caller (I guess), but not much else. I see no reason to compare him with other massively lesser-paid coaches who are currently performing much better, and who obviously have a significantly greater appreciation for defense, special teams, team culture, and how to actually rebuild teams. Without a QB like Caleb Williams, what is LR? At this point, he’s just another coach who can’t beat the good teams… Read more »
Not in year 1 or 3 for that matter. We will see.The Coli was full for the most part the past two years (thank you Caleb). Start going 6-6 and it will just become an cheaper and early bowl destination for Big 10 schools.
No one better allow that!
In the case where there is widespread dissatisfaction, including among the Alumni base, The football coach is not calling the shots. And it is increasingly evident that LR simply is not a HC. After the debacle with Helton, how much leeway will LR have?
SC isn’t going to participate in the “pay for play” game that NIL has become. That is illegal under the NCAA and will eventually be addressed. This is not to mention the IRS issues with the NIL schemes in place. That alone will crash the programs.
I applaud SC (and Stanford) for standing up to these schemes, despite the negative impact on recruiting.
“The first and most important thing Lincoln needs to address are the lines. Will get absolutely bullied in the Big 10 next year if there aren’t improvements ….drastic ones!”
Probably not much worse than what ND, ORE and UCLA already did to us, just to name a few. Harbaugh could beat this USC team standing on his head and vacationing in the Swiss Alps if necessary. Usually, I watch replays of USC games. Heck, the team used to at least be entertaining. Now, watching USC football is more like an assignment. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a weaker, more pitiful effort by a USC team against a totally mediocre UCLA squad. But I’ll admit, the Bruins were inspired. They wanted this one bad for their always semi-lame duck… Read more »
Deleted every SC game without re-watching one … save 1st half vs Colorado.
That D was just beyond an embarrassment.Unwatchable.How LR could stand there and watch that shit, game after game,without going nuts on Grinch like Saban used to on Kiffin.
Of course, they set the tone with saying they were just experimenting on D in the opener. JFC.
He’s right, just 5 plays away. That’s the 5 worst plays by the defense in EVERY game this season! Of course there are probably more than 5 bad plays in some games. However, consistently bad week after week with no improvement, you are just bad.
The jr high pitch outs just cracked me up … stopped one all year when Zona for some dumb reason went short side of the field.
Then the wheel routes lol finally somewhat figured those out. Then Chipster went fake wheel, TE delay lol no one with in 15 yds. OCs must have just laughed all week preparing for Grinch’s mess.
I think that is a big problem fo Riley. The other is that as the losses mounted he was grinning ( sure wasn’t a smile) more. He yammers on…and on. Brighter days are ahead routine. He should speak a whole lot less. SC fans will ignore what he says. I wonder if the team already has shut him off.
Plus Helton loved the press, never tried to throw a reporter off campus, and the press loved Helton right back. Probably still does, even though The Cat should have .500 tattooed on his throwing hand.
Yes, both lines. Then the DBs. Then the LBers. Even a new, experienced QB. Revisions in the approach to play calling. Clearly a new DC, and defensive scheme, maybe other coaches.
Then repair relationships with key HSs for recruiting.
When you list all the issues you realize we are back to a Helton program!
USC’s prep class of ’24 is ranked a very disappointing #18 by 247Sports. Rivals has us even lower at #22.
While Trojan fans all hope USC somehow finds a way to finish much better, that hope also must be tempered with the possibility that USC will lose current commits because some will be unhappy their fave coaches have been fired, or the new coaches won’t want them.
24/7 ’88. I think the joke’s on you here, unfortunately.
Sark’s definitely moved up in the coaching world since he left USC, as has Kiffin. More power to them both. Neither one of them is totally desperate as LR stands now, feebly leading Toilet Bowl-bound USC.
BS. Kiff did well given he had the sanctions to deal with. Sark is a great coach, he just got addicted to alcohol, Look at these two coaches now. Kiff had a good year in a tough conference and Sark is likely headed for the CFPs. And LR has been humiliated and barely eligible for the Toilet Bowl.
Maybe he read my Facebook post. Right after we got pasted by Ucla, I posted that exact sentiment. My thought was; a real winner coach surrounds himself with the best, not yes men. Riley had nobody on staff pull him aside and say, “Grinch has gotta go,” this is a huge red flag. Grinch’s gutless gaggle of goofs showed up midseason last year and never improved . Riley knew what to say ” I take responsibility -yada, yada. ” But he never took responsibility until it was screaming, “no more yada,yada!” How as a fan, can I excuse this repeat… Read more »
I was checking around a bit and it seems like right before the season started, Lincoln Riley was generally ranked as the 6th or 7th best CFB coach, often switching places with Ryan Day.
Now, I doubt LR would make the top 25. Maybe he could squeak in between 20-25, which would be a big feather in his cap at this stage.
Finebaum is a hack. Riley has had one bad year. One. Sports is a prisoner of the moment culture. He is still a good coach. Everyone in the country apart from about 5 teams would’ve traded their coach for Riley last year. The guy didn’t back his way into 6 years in a row of top 10 teams. Pile on now, because there won’t be a chance to down the road.
I know you still love the guy, but I gave up on the Sunshine Pumper routine with him a long time ago.
Listening to what I’ve heard about LR on talk radio lately, as well as elsewhere, he should be glad I have a sense of humor about his ridiculous approach to coaching USC football, especially ever since TUL kicked him around in the Cotton Bowl. I don’t think LR ever got over that, frankly.
I just don’t buy into the narrative. Talk radio is not objective. They are paid for over the top takes. This is same crowd who thought Harbaugh should have been gone after his 8-5 year. Thought Mike Norvell should have been gone after year 2. Sark after year one at Texas. Riley didn’t forget how to coach this year. He wasn’t figured out. He did make a mistake keeping Grinch, a big one. But he’s earned a mulligan.
Hah. Talk radio has way more intelligent stuff to say about USC football than I’ve heard come out of LR’s own mouth, or any of his assistants, all season. I really couldn’t care less about what LR’s supposedly “earned.” We’ll all see what he does about this stupid, laughable USC season he just fully and stubbornly planned out for us all. Until we find out if he can even pick a starting lineup for next season’s first game (couldn’t even figure that out against SJS this year), he’ll just have to buck up and live with the fact that he’s… Read more »
More and more I have this theory about LR. The last 2 seasons was all about what to do for Caleb Williams and not about building USC football for the future. Quick fixes through the portal hope the defense is passable, get one Heisman, maybe two. Now hopefully we are where we should have been 2 years ago. Riley has gotten knee capped this season. Like Kathy Bates did to James Caan in Misery! Mike “the brute” Bohn is gone. Jen Cohen is the new sheriff in town. Time for her to set LR straight. Look at how the top… Read more »
I still say he would do well just to keep his mouth closed a lot more.
Action, not words, is what we need from LR.
It should be easy for him, because LR’s naturally a very secretive guy. Unfortunately, he’s also confused and usually on the defensive. Maybe he just needs a cool vacation! 😂
2024, a whole different look. These writers and talking heads can say all they want, Caleb is still to this day the best QB in college football. I think 2023 just shows how important it is to have a good team and that is what it takes to go to the NC. Caleb did not have enough support of the team around him. For whatever reason you want to come up with, it doesn’t matter really. I will lose faith in Riley if he goes for another QB after working to keep Moss and recruit Nelson. Either he is questioning… Read more »
Colin Cowherd has backed off the Caleb Williams hype train Cowherd — “I no longer think he is Andrew Luck or Trevor Lawrence. I still think he’s the No. 1 pick, and I like him. But I don’t think he’s nearly as perfect a prospect. I don’t think he looked that engaged against UCLA. He can be moody at times, and overly emotional. His mechanics have regressed. He looks sloppy at times. It’s not easy at USC. The offensive line on this team has been a huge disappointment, He just does not look as fully engaged as I had hoped… Read more »
If SC rushes this DC hire too much they are going to loose in the quality of the hire. Quality is more important than the timing. Recruits are going respect the hire. Cohen and Riley cannot afford to miss on this one. SC needs headlines on this hire!!! As far as Caleb goes. Offensive line and the development of those lineman is a major issue for SC. Caleb was running for his life last year. With a less athletic QB that is a huge problem!! For Riley to have success he will need to change his offense to a run… Read more »
I agree. LR’s definitely gonna have to modify his “hero ball” approach to offense, which neuters the running game (at least it does under LR) and puts way too much pressure on his horrible defenses every season.
A fantastic new DC is required to get USC back to the elite level. But so must LR also improve his currently insufficient approach to offense, and he definitely has to run the ball better and more consistently against better teams.
USC’s three pitiful rushing yds the entire game vs little gutty UCLA shows where “hero ball” gets you against a good D.
Saw a name pop up for Indiana that would be an interesting option to Lancelot Linc . . . Jon Gruden. But with the uber woke Folt, mentioning Gruden would be an insult to the present prez and board.
Absolutely it’s going to be an uphill battle this coming season and then some if LR insists on continuing cutting corners using the Portal way way way too much as he has, not building the program “the RIGHT way” through recruiting HS athletes. What’s his problem? Doesn’t he see how the top 5-programs are doing it year in & year out recruiting HS’ers and developing them? I hope he gets the full treatment this off season on fanbase/alumni/press disenchantment making poor choices. If he doesn’t have the ability to recruit the right kids then hire someone who does!!!!!!!! Jen Cohen,… Read more »
Here’s what Lincoln Riley said to The Athletic’s Antonio Morales about Jen Cohen: “She’s been tremendous. It’s a tough time to start to develop because she got here right as the season was starting, but we’ve been able the last few weeks to have a lot of great conversations, and her experience, her aggressive mentality, she’s an effective communicator, she’s a really good strategist. She is going to be tremendous in I think helping give us the pieces we need, helping us navigate the challenges and obstacles that are out there. “She’s got a great way about her. She’s got… Read more »
LR, starting to sound like a Real Politician!
I thought the same thing.
But all CFB coaches have to be politicians, even the assts and coords, so I try not to hold that against LR.
Plus I really like Jen Cohen.
I like her as well as you would someone having just met bringing an impressive list of successes. Actually, its a little early to say beyond that.
How she manages to correct the mess Riley has let develop. It will be One of her future crowning achievements at SC.
Starting to?
He was all in on day 1 at SC. All words, little action.
I would ask him, what makes him believe that SC still wants him at $10mm a year? He certainly has alienated lots of alumni, you know, all those with “untrained eyes.”
I understand your point…however we have to keep in mind how fickle SC Alum and fans are….win championships, parades, feasts, celebrity.
No championship, conference or otherwise…
someone get the Guillotine.
Well said. LR is forced to use the Portal as he is ineffective in recruiting. He can’t attract the top local kids and we have no national scope due to his record. SC can no longer effectively recruit MD and Bosco. Part of the problem is SC’s NIL program, which LR has endorsed and the other part is LR’s arrogance. In many respects, just like at Oklahoma where he never won an NC. I see the years ahead filled with empty LR promises, similar to the Helton days. It’s unfortunate for SC to spend all those dollars for a HC… Read more »
I know he has had some off-the-field problems but there are some wondering is Soph QB Kaidon Salter is thinking about leaving his 11-0 (# 22 AP Poll) Liberty University to play at a higher level conference . (Only Jayden Daniels of LSU and Bo Nix are currently ranked higher than Salter in the Country right now ) .
Sounds good lol … remember though. CW had a full year of combat w/ LR prior to coming to SC. We cannot expect a transfer to just throw up 40 points a game like Caleb. Unfortunately, due to the lack of D and size, speed and personnel. Next year’s qb cannot be a game manager. He will have to be dynamic (my god how good was Caleb) and those do not come around very often. And LR doesn’t strike anyone as a run the clock, lean on the D, type of guy.
Btw, how’s this for a twist of fate. That nice looking Tulane qb is apparently shopping around to join the big leagues. How funny would it be if LR landed him lol. It’s sounds like he will end up at Notre Dame, so he could will haunt us like Tony Rice.
Okay I know we’re all unhappy with this season but let’s take a moment to think about where we were 2 years ago at this time versus where we are now. If in November 2021 right before Thanksgiving someone told me we’d hire Lincoln Riley as our coach, go 11-3 in our first year, have a Heisman winning QB, and play and lose in the Cotton Bowl and the follow that up with a 7-5 season the next year but not be as good, I would have taken it in a heartbeat. Our success last season hid a lot of… Read more »
Good points. But it was just the way we lost. That Olay D embarrassed us nationally … for 2 years. Opposing coaches mocked LRs as 7on7 summer camp coach. When Pete had to rebuild his mess, he lost that first year, but opposing teams were not laughing. They knew what was coming. No one knows what is coming with LR now. We do know he has a lot to prove.
Thanks, MPA90, nice post.
MAN ….Trojan Daily Blog seems to be in a foul mood lately ( would love to have the circumstance to have Allen and LR do an interview together with the Stipulation Allen could ask anything he wanted to ) …..Fight On!!!!!
Hah. Lincoln would have me kicked off campus. But based on his history, I’d be right back on campus the next day after he said he should have handled it differently.
These are very exciting times in Trojan football, especially with so much uncertainty.
Do you think Lincoln has been a good choice for USC? Would you hire him again if you knew his now obvious weaknesses?
Do you think he’s even in the top third of coaches currently in the Pac-12?
I think the next 12-24 months of LR’s career WILL DECIDE how long he will be able to get/hold a job as a head coach at a TOP Level football program or does he end up coaching say ….The Universirty of Minnesota or Villanova .
Hey …….Jim Mora is the Head Coach of 2-9 UCONN .
When you got $100+ million no matter what happens you would think he would be free to change things up.
Agree … he is losing 5-7 games next year due to that schedule. It’s how he loses them that will tell the story. 2025 is going to huge for him. Schedule is easier, should have a new DC and experienced qb.
I agree with you HOF19. I said in a recent post that this off season and the first half of the first game will tell us all we need to know about LR.
Let’s face it, the B12 just wasn’t very competitive in his years as HC at OK. It was easy for him to accumulate the record he did. His approach has been revealed as seriously flawed. He has no choice but to adapt or disappear into irrelevance.
Answer … Thought it was a great hire.The D was worrisome beginning at Zona last year but thought LR would always score.Tulane was a complete embarrassment. Blew it off as the usual SC non Rose Bowl, toilet bowl game effort (it’s become a tradition) and blamed Grinch, of course. Then this mess. Having seen what Jedd did at Zona and what that mouthy little prick at Oregon has done. Wish we would had hired one of them. The answer is go full Texas/Suckisian. Buy all kinds of talent and a big time staff, money be damned. It saved Suck, this… Read more »
Sark and Kiffin are both doing exceptionally well these days, and if money was all it took to make coaches great, Jimbo Fisher would still be employed.
I think you’re just embarrassed that Kiffin and Sark are both among the better coaches in CFB now.
Many schools would take either one of those two over Lincoln Riley at this stage, and it wouldn’t even be a debate.
Kiffy lol lost 5/6 last year and was drubbed in the big games this year, one by 52-17. Fraud as usual.
Suck is having a Coach O fluke type year, with the same career results coming. Texas doesn’t mess around with dopes. Those clowns are not going to last as usual.
LR unfortunately just looks like a more amiable Kiffin and a smarter Suck but just as lazy.
USC’s fall from grace: How the Trojans regular season ended in disappointment Antonio Morales (The Athletic) — Other than Caleb Williams, who was great this season but made more critical mistakes than last year, it’s hard to pinpoint many positives from this season. The running game faltered against most good defenses. The receivers didn’t make as many plays as they did a year ago. The offensive line played worse than a year ago. The run defense was every bit as bad as it was last season and the pass defense was worse. Like the stunning collapse against Tulane, all three phases… Read more »
With all of the failures the past two years, one wonders how we benefitted from having one of the highest paid HC’s in college football. If not the highest paid. It seems to me that Riley has been exposed as a would be HC. Even if viewed as an OC, he has failed. Yes, he had a Heisman QB, but certainly few of the surrounding players that are required to have a top O. Do we now have Helton, Part Deux? LR has gone so far as to repudiate the goals at SC and has stated that the team sets… Read more »
Tirebitter you mentioned earlier that USC will not do “pay for play”. If so that may be part of LR’s difficulty recruiting. He may be complaining about that behind closed doors and forced not to talk about it publicly. Instead he is forced into platitudes and say nothing pressers. I’m looking for changes at the president and board chair regarding the stance on NIL. If not USC football and basketball may be doomed to mediocrity.
If Lincoln can’t figure out how to say anything more intelligent than the insipid ramblings he chooses to spill out after every loss, he should take a USC communications class. What he’s doing doesn’t work.
Nice use of “insipid.” Reminds me of my high school band instructor who would call out weak instrument playing as “insipid and anemic”, which in turn reminds me of the SC defense.
Perhaps, but I don’t see them changing. I don’t think college basketball is going anywhere given the need for “one and dones.” Hardly an activity the students can (and would) relate to.
“pay for play is deemed to be illegal under NCAA guidelines.
Tirebiter, The way around this rule was pioneered by Texas A&M. The boosters form a private NILs independent of the school. The athlete then signs the NIL with that booster cooperative. For example, OR has an “independent” NIL group which performs this service. I think it is called State Street and it is run and funded I think by Nike. In essence, the OR football players are employees of Nike. This gives OR a huge advantage in talent acquisition. Rumor has it that the OR NIL offered Cam Rising $3 Million to play next year for OR. Supposedly the Utah… Read more »
That sums up USC football and basketball, get independent Collectives or become very average fast.
I would say that those “ways around the rules” are not legitimate and cannot stand the scrutiny of the inevitable IRS audits. In no way do a few visits to a non profit fundraising activity justify a payment of a Rolls or other substantial compensation. It’s just a thin fig leaf that will soon be addressed by the IRS. Then all these schemes will be disclosed for what they all really are – pay for play! All of this could lead to an examination of the non profit status of a university, not to mention the formation of player unions.… Read more »
There are two parts to rebuild USC football. The first is the NIL Collective arrangements with USC. That is on the Board of Trustees, Carol Folt and Jen Cohen. They need to fix that fast before signing day. The second part is Lincoln Riley’s staff. That is on Jen Cohen and Lincoln Riley. She is now in position to start calling the shots. I will waiting to see what happens. “Little” things, like the free use of a vehicle for every scholarship athlete would be a good start. Look for the collectives to be out from under the thumb of… Read more »
Rarely does an AD step in the way of a football coach. She won’t be calling any of the shots.
Reminds me of Mike Garrett v John Robinson. What a battle!
My son once dumped one of his chicks by text …I said really ‘You went Mike Garrett on her’ he didn’t get it lol
Did you tell your son that what goes around comes around? You’ll know when someday your son says to you, “Hey Dad, I got the full Mike Garrett treatment the other day.”
That’s a funny Mike Garrett anecdote. I’d like to see some quotes from him about USC’s current state of affairs.
Say what you want about MG in his dealings with people, but He wanted to win in football and based on his hirings, he brought in college & Pro coaches, new & formers SC coaches. And if they didn’t pan out, they were fired. I believe he would be all over LR right now if he was still AD. The dust never settled with MG unless you won enough games to make the alumn/fanbase satisfied. With all the hirings he made, it was bound to happen eventually there would be issues with violations. And it finally happened during PC’s reign.… Read more »
I would have fully enjoyed hearing any message MG had for LR after USC just bowed down to the Bruins in the Coliseum.
I recall Mike as an all guts and leadership 180 pound sophomore half back (running over defensive backs) playing for John McKay. And two seasons later, he is winning the Heisman. Whatever Mike’s shortcomings as an AD, I speculate that Ol Mike would have have not left a message for LR, following Tulane’s come from behind win, last season, but would have opted for a closed door one- on- one meeting in the locker room with the offensive genius during which all of the chronic problems on defense and with LR’s inexplicably poor team preparation would have been “mutually” resolved… Read more »
Little did we know that last year’s Cotton Bowl loss to TUL (when both Riley and Grinch were at their worst) was a precursor to what USC would look like in a lot of 2023 games.
The whole universe knows he needs a reboot. If he doesn’t know it himself then Cohen goes to Folt and the Board for the okay to tell him what the plan is. He can get with the plan or quit. If Folt and the Board won’t back Cohen then she should walk. If you see Cohen walk then USC is not serious about football and just wants the BIG10 TV money to fund women’s sports.
But why pay the football coach $10+ million a year if you aren’t serious?
To SC’s credit, they did step up to hire what they thought was a top HC that could return SC to NCs. I doubt very many were not happy with that decision. But now, after two years, LR has not build a program, SC is in the tank. Recruiting is not working. Major powerhouse HS programs are no longer feeder programs. To which LR responds that we recruit nationally. Is he serious? With his record, he can’t recruit nationally, or even locally. His arrogance is costing SC far more that the $100 mm or so he is being paid.
The challenge now is finding any national CFB writer who has anything positive to say about LR, his approach, or his staff. Please let me know if you ever find anything that isn’t based on 2022.
As you know, until the program is successful, it won’t be touted in the press. When you get former supporters like Colin to now denigrate the program, it adds to the lack of attractiveness for recruits. We are screwed and are paying $100mm for it.
It’s amazing how quickly LR was able to completely sink USC to the dregs of the bad bowl teams. Once ND kicked our butts, all the wheels fell off. I’m looking forward to reading and hearing LR’s most current excuses or denials as we move through the now all-important early LOI Days (12/20 – 22). LR faces the daunting task of re-re-building a fractured, humiliated program that has basically somehow remained stuck at Clay Helton-coached levels. How now-beleaguered LR expects to successfully move forward as he enters year 3 at messed-up USC football should be a sight to behold, both… Read more »
Seemed the wheels started falling off at ASU … when LR and his shitty staff were completely out coached by that kid ASU coach. Then the miserable 2nd half vs CU when they nearly blew a 45-14 lead !
It all began after that strange bye week and that F ed interview Times interview by LR.
Allen, You seem to be in a rage about LR. Didn’t Lane Kiffin lose 5 of this last 6 a year ago? I doubt there was any national CFB writer who had anything positive to say about him last year. Kiffin seems to be fine this year. LR made a huge mistake with Grinch. I think he will learn. Problem is the mistake may take at least two years to recover from. If SC gets its “pay for play” NIL in place quickly, may take only a year. LR’s mistake with Grinch killed both 2023 and 2024; LR should be… Read more »
I actually feel sorry for Lincoln Riley. Poor guy. He’s got this big USC football job now and he looks a lot more like he should be coaching SJS or NEV. He’s a play-caller (I guess), but not much else. I see no reason to compare him with other massively lesser-paid coaches who are currently performing much better, and who obviously have a significantly greater appreciation for defense, special teams, team culture, and how to actually rebuild teams. Without a QB like Caleb Williams, what is LR? At this point, he’s just another coach who can’t beat the good teams… Read more »
GT, This is partially on LR and partially on the SC NIL structure. Both need to have major changes in approach.
Never say never 88, she could surprise all of us.
Not in year 1 or 3 for that matter. We will see.The Coli was full for the most part the past two years (thank you Caleb). Start going 6-6 and it will just become an cheaper and early bowl destination for Big 10 schools.
No one better allow that!
In the case where there is widespread dissatisfaction, including among the Alumni base, The football coach is not calling the shots. And it is increasingly evident that LR simply is not a HC. After the debacle with Helton, how much leeway will LR have?
SC is not going to “pay for play.” Period. That has been the BOT position and supported by Folt. Deal with that.
If they stick with that USC football will not be very good.
USC football isn’t any good for a lot of reasons, with Lincoln and his soft, crappy staff being one of the biggest problems.
SC isn’t going to participate in the “pay for play” game that NIL has become. That is illegal under the NCAA and will eventually be addressed. This is not to mention the IRS issues with the NIL schemes in place. That alone will crash the programs.
I applaud SC (and Stanford) for standing up to these schemes, despite the negative impact on recruiting.
Matt Leinart @MattLeinartQB
“The first and most important thing Lincoln needs to address are the lines. Will get absolutely bullied in the Big 10 next year if there aren’t improvements ….drastic ones!”
My god imagine what Michigan would had done to SC this year with that huge athletic Oline and tough backs
Probably not much worse than what ND, ORE and UCLA already did to us, just to name a few. Harbaugh could beat this USC team standing on his head and vacationing in the Swiss Alps if necessary. Usually, I watch replays of USC games. Heck, the team used to at least be entertaining. Now, watching USC football is more like an assignment. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a weaker, more pitiful effort by a USC team against a totally mediocre UCLA squad. But I’ll admit, the Bruins were inspired. They wanted this one bad for their always semi-lame duck… Read more »
Deleted every SC game without re-watching one … save 1st half vs Colorado.
That D was just beyond an embarrassment.Unwatchable.How LR could stand there and watch that shit, game after game,without going nuts on Grinch like Saban used to on Kiffin.
Of course, they set the tone with saying they were just experimenting on D in the opener. JFC.
He’s right, just 5 plays away. That’s the 5 worst plays by the defense in EVERY game this season! Of course there are probably more than 5 bad plays in some games. However, consistently bad week after week with no improvement, you are just bad.
The jr high pitch outs just cracked me up … stopped one all year when Zona for some dumb reason went short side of the field.
Then the wheel routes lol finally somewhat figured those out. Then Chipster went fake wheel, TE delay lol no one with in 15 yds. OCs must have just laughed all week preparing for Grinch’s mess.
Sometimes Lincoln just says stupid things.
He’s a classic example of a guy who should talk a lot less and listen more.
That bye week interview WTF… tell us you don’t want to coach anymore without telling us you don’t want to coach
I think that is a big problem fo Riley. The other is that as the losses mounted he was grinning ( sure wasn’t a smile) more. He yammers on…and on. Brighter days are ahead routine. He should speak a whole lot less. SC fans will ignore what he says. I wonder if the team already has shut him off.
LR does like to “yammer”, on and on, as you say. I’m not sure he has any idea how he comes off sometimes.
I’ve already tuned him out in the hopes that I actually “see” some improvement in USC football.
So far, I haven’t seen a speck of it since last season’s collapse.
Even Zach Branch has regressed into a no-name-type on special teams. Go figure out how that was allowed to happen.
Did you say Riley or Helton. Because at this point in their USC careers Helton was better. Who would have thought?
Plus Helton loved the press, never tried to throw a reporter off campus, and the press loved Helton right back. Probably still does, even though The Cat should have .500 tattooed on his throwing hand.
The Cat was loving life … even he couldn’t believe his dumb lazy ass had this job.
Yes, both lines. Then the DBs. Then the LBers. Even a new, experienced QB. Revisions in the approach to play calling. Clearly a new DC, and defensive scheme, maybe other coaches.
Then repair relationships with key HSs for recruiting.
When you list all the issues you realize we are back to a Helton program!
USC’s prep class of ’24 is ranked a very disappointing #18 by 247Sports. Rivals has us even lower at #22.
While Trojan fans all hope USC somehow finds a way to finish much better, that hope also must be tempered with the possibility that USC will lose current commits because some will be unhappy their fave coaches have been fired, or the new coaches won’t want them.
With few exceptions … still think the plan is portal
Hopefully, LR will bring in some new “portal evaluators”. Too many of these guys he just brought in can’t play, especially in the trenches.
Paul Finebaum to Lincoln Riley: “Maybe you’re just a total fraud”
Texas was able to help out one of the biggest frauds in the history of coaching in Suckisian, as he was failing badly. LR needs the same help.
24/7 ’88. I think the joke’s on you here, unfortunately.
Sark’s definitely moved up in the coaching world since he left USC, as has Kiffin. More power to them both. Neither one of them is totally desperate as LR stands now, feebly leading Toilet Bowl-bound USC.
Those two losers have the remarkable ability to F up … just a matter of time.
BS. Kiff did well given he had the sanctions to deal with. Sark is a great coach, he just got addicted to alcohol, Look at these two coaches now. Kiff had a good year in a tough conference and Sark is likely headed for the CFPs. And LR has been humiliated and barely eligible for the Toilet Bowl.
Kiffy has been fired 4x for a reason. Suck will catch up with him soon. Both will be canned from the jobs they have.
Maybe he read my Facebook post. Right after we got pasted by Ucla, I posted that exact sentiment. My thought was; a real winner coach surrounds himself with the best, not yes men. Riley had nobody on staff pull him aside and say, “Grinch has gotta go,” this is a huge red flag. Grinch’s gutless gaggle of goofs showed up midseason last year and never improved . Riley knew what to say ” I take responsibility -yada, yada. ” But he never took responsibility until it was screaming, “no more yada,yada!” How as a fan, can I excuse this repeat… Read more »
I was checking around a bit and it seems like right before the season started, Lincoln Riley was generally ranked as the 6th or 7th best CFB coach, often switching places with Ryan Day.
Now, I doubt LR would make the top 25. Maybe he could squeak in between 20-25, which would be a big feather in his cap at this stage.
Finebaum is a hack. Riley has had one bad year. One. Sports is a prisoner of the moment culture. He is still a good coach. Everyone in the country apart from about 5 teams would’ve traded their coach for Riley last year. The guy didn’t back his way into 6 years in a row of top 10 teams. Pile on now, because there won’t be a chance to down the road.
Finebaum’s doing a lot better job at his gig than big flop Riley is at his.
Last year is old news. Lincoln Riley’s in about as much demand now as some stale bread.
Hopefully, he gets some help from some smarter football people before he continues to make a fool of himself after every loss.
Wow. You are going full scorched earth on Riley.
LMAO
I know you still love the guy, but I gave up on the Sunshine Pumper routine with him a long time ago.
Listening to what I’ve heard about LR on talk radio lately, as well as elsewhere, he should be glad I have a sense of humor about his ridiculous approach to coaching USC football, especially ever since TUL kicked him around in the Cotton Bowl. I don’t think LR ever got over that, frankly.
I just don’t buy into the narrative. Talk radio is not objective. They are paid for over the top takes. This is same crowd who thought Harbaugh should have been gone after his 8-5 year. Thought Mike Norvell should have been gone after year 2. Sark after year one at Texas. Riley didn’t forget how to coach this year. He wasn’t figured out. He did make a mistake keeping Grinch, a big one. But he’s earned a mulligan.
Hah. Talk radio has way more intelligent stuff to say about USC football than I’ve heard come out of LR’s own mouth, or any of his assistants, all season. I really couldn’t care less about what LR’s supposedly “earned.” We’ll all see what he does about this stupid, laughable USC season he just fully and stubbornly planned out for us all. Until we find out if he can even pick a starting lineup for next season’s first game (couldn’t even figure that out against SJS this year), he’ll just have to buck up and live with the fact that he’s… Read more »
I suppose a 11 million dollar mulligan is in order. Maybe he could donate a million of his many millions and hire a special teams coach.
Maybe Lincoln could coach special teams! On second thought…
More and more I have this theory about LR. The last 2 seasons was all about what to do for Caleb Williams and not about building USC football for the future. Quick fixes through the portal hope the defense is passable, get one Heisman, maybe two. Now hopefully we are where we should have been 2 years ago. Riley has gotten knee capped this season. Like Kathy Bates did to James Caan in Misery! Mike “the brute” Bohn is gone. Jen Cohen is the new sheriff in town. Time for her to set LR straight. Look at how the top… Read more »
I still say he would do well just to keep his mouth closed a lot more.
Action, not words, is what we need from LR.
It should be easy for him, because LR’s naturally a very secretive guy. Unfortunately, he’s also confused and usually on the defensive. Maybe he just needs a cool vacation! 😂
Lincoln Riley in better days
2024, a whole different look. These writers and talking heads can say all they want, Caleb is still to this day the best QB in college football. I think 2023 just shows how important it is to have a good team and that is what it takes to go to the NC. Caleb did not have enough support of the team around him. For whatever reason you want to come up with, it doesn’t matter really. I will lose faith in Riley if he goes for another QB after working to keep Moss and recruit Nelson. Either he is questioning… Read more »
Colin Cowherd has backed off the Caleb Williams hype train Cowherd — “I no longer think he is Andrew Luck or Trevor Lawrence. I still think he’s the No. 1 pick, and I like him. But I don’t think he’s nearly as perfect a prospect. I don’t think he looked that engaged against UCLA. He can be moody at times, and overly emotional. His mechanics have regressed. He looks sloppy at times. It’s not easy at USC. The offensive line on this team has been a huge disappointment, He just does not look as fully engaged as I had hoped… Read more »