How will No. 18 USC football move on after losing to No. 15 Oregon?
The Trojans (4-1 overall, 1-1 B1G) are licking their wounds (again) after the discouraging 41-27 home loss with several games against tough conference opponents still remaining
ORE DB Peyton Woodyard breaks up a pass intended for USC TE Mark Bowman during the second half on Saturday at the Coliseum. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Haley Sawyer (OC Register) — LOS ANGELES — Lincoln Riley didn’t sleep much on Saturday night.
The late-game run that tied USC with Oregon haunted him; a cruel reminder not just of the lack of closure in the eventual 41-27 loss, but also in Riley’s tenure as head coach of the Trojans.
Three straight losses to Oregon. A 5-15 record against ranked teams. Going 2-16 against ranked Big Ten teams over the past two seasons.
“To put ourselves in that position to win it, not capitalize on it – it guts you,” Riley told reporters. “I mean it, just it does. My job is when Sunday morning comes around, I got to get up, and I gotta go lead the charge.
“I can’t walk up in there anything else but focused and hungry, motivated on what we got to do better.”
The Trojans (4-1 overall, 1-1 Big Ten) are licking their wounds with Saturday’s game against Washington (3-1, 0-1) and even more daunting opponents around the corner, even though their rose-tinted words feel like Band-Aids on a hemorrhage.
The first step toward accountability after the loss was issuing a one-game suspension to linebacker Desman Stephens II, who delivered a hit on Ducks quarterback Dante Moore that sent him to the hospital.
Stephens was also seen celebrating after the hit, which Riley said he didn’t see during the game.
It was a shocking moment, especially considering this was the same player who went out of his way to shake the hands of every reporter in the postgame press conference after USC’s season-opening victory over San José State.
“Knowing him like I do, do I believe deep down in my heart that he was celebrating over an injured player? No,” Riley said.
“It’s a little difficult to describe to everybody what it’s like in the arena when you haven’t been in the arena. It’s highly competitive. It’s highly emotional. And so I’m disappointed with what he did, and he needs to have more awareness because it was a serious situation.”
Taking ownership and honestly acknowledging the current, struggling state of the USC program could also prevent the season from slipping away.
Throughout this season, Riley and the team have preferred to internalize discussions regarding accountability within the team and ignore the outside noise from fans, social media and traditional media outlets, both local and national.
Running back King Miller said he hasn’t deleted his social media, but he rarely looks at it.
“I don’t think there is any challenge with (ignoring outside noise),” Miller said “I think it’s what we all came here to do. We ain’t come here for the outside noise, for what everybody has to say or whatever. We came here to play football at the end of the day, so I think that’s what we’re focused on next week.”
The remainder of the season could determine Riley’s future with USC, and it could lead to other structural changes within the program as well. Tough road games at Penn State (3-1, Oct. 10), Wisconsin (3-1, Oct. 24) and No. 6 Indiana (4-0, Nov. 14), as well as a home game against No. 5 Ohio State (3-1, Oct. 31) and a rivalry matchup with an up-and-coming No. 23 UCLA team (4-0, Nov. 28), remain on the schedule.
The head coach, who earns $11.5 million annually, is taking it day by day.
“I woke up – sun came up Sunday morning, fortunately,” Riley said, “and I came back up here. Got to work. Staff got to work. Guys were great on Sunday night, and the week has gone very well up to this point.”
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Why would USC go all in like they have since they hired Bowden and build what they have in such a short time to let it all go by firing Riley. Their investment is in a good 2026 season but building for 2027, at least that was the talk last year. Bowden says the time is now, and that could be hype. If Riley goes, so goes a lot of kids they worked hard to recruit. Just the way things go. I think Cohen is going to give Riley next year to have a proven program built. Will it happen,… Read more »
Everyone expresses their thoughtful views intelligently here, different as they may be, in a non-toxic way and respectful of others. We are a family. Many of the TDBers don’t necessarily agree with you about Lincoln Riley, which is their prerogative. Not all of us are just simply willing to blow off yet another highly predictable horrible USC loss to a major rival like you are. We get it. You’re a sunshine pumper. Good for you. Nobody has anything against that. Your presence here is important to us all. USC needs and deserves your valuable support, just as it deserves the… Read more »
I need some help TDBers. I’m going to my niece’s baby shower Saturday. The theme of the party is college football. My niece and nephew went to Oregon. Her husband went to SDSU, played Rugby and is a cop. So we are talking about 75 people who are either Oregon fans, Aztec fans, rugby players, cops and or Polynesian. Should I wear a USC shirt or an Aztec shirt (my other school)?
If you are an introvert and need help starting a conversation, by all means, where your USC gear but if you like your niece and want to keep the peace, where the Aztec gear.
Go Cardinal and Gold — remember through thick and thin. USC needs us all now more than ever.
Since the theme is college football, I’d be humble, plead the fifth and highly congratulatory to the triumphant Duck fans. It’s pretty easy to laugh at the Trojans now. That might go over well too.
Have fun. Combining a baby shower with CFB and all the different types you mention sounds like an absolutely great time.
Riley is not only a bad head football coach, poor leader and overpaid, now he is embarrassing USC, students, alumni and fans. But as you say, through thick and thin, Go Cardinal and Gold, be true to your school as the song goes. I will wear my Cardinal and Gold and have no defense for what happened with Stephens and laugh at the sorry state of USC football.
Show your great taste. If I were a Duck fan, I’d respect anyone willing to show up in a Trojan shirt. I just would. Sometimes taking heat can be a lot of fun if it comes. And if it doesn’t, more power to those who have better things to do.
Again, have a great time. And beat the Huskies too.
The solution is so simple I am surprised nobody has done it. The school can’t do it, the school can’t know about it, in fact if you’re the school stop reading this now. Lincoln Riley is no choirboy, so an influential alum needs to invite him out to his home for a dinner or celebration. During the meal offer drinks and fine food, make sure that’s what he remembers. After the meal offer something stronger that might help Lincoln start sinking’. Also offer his driver more of the same liquor you ply Mr. Riley with. No illegal drugs or other… Read more »
Allen you said it during the summer and so have many podcasters & reporters : This is the year of no excuses, we will make the playoff or else. The patient fanbase will scream after each loss this season, and it sure has come to reality after just this first loss. It will only get worse in response to future losses. Jen has to protect what she has created for the USC football HC what is needed to compete with all other programs and win championships, meaning her job. So unless something unusual happens giving Riley a pass to another… Read more »
Absolutely. If USC somehow gets to the playoffs and beats UCLA (an absolute requirement), Riley stays. Anything less is well, another compromise in favor of prolonged mediocrity, way too much of what we have been forced to endure already IMO.
Beat UCLA and get to the playoffs? So far that’s not what I’m seeing. The Bruins right now are a much better team and there are too many really good teams in the Big 10 for SC to make the playoffs.
I just returned from a two week cruise to Canada. I wrote weeks ago that we would know what type of team we would have after the first two weeks. I was particularly interested to see if LR had changed enough to overcome his absolutely abysmal East Coast record. Well, LR is still the same guy. My take is he must go a minimum of 9-3 and must beat UCLA. I do not think he has it in him. If he goes around 7-5 and loses to UCLA and the Bruins make the playoffs, then he will have taken the… Read more »
Honestly Allen, outside of the 70 million buyout, I can’t see any scenario where Cohen/ Bowden have no doubt that Lincoln is not capable of making USC great again. And there is no way a team that lacks discipline, accountability, solid defense and can’t play well on the road is going to make a run at the playoffs. I am sure before the season is over, Lincoln will give the administration plenty more reasons to fire him, as the losses mount up.
I think you are correct PN4SC. This 2026 USC team doesn’t look like a playoff group to me. We were all told to expect a lot better and it just hasn’t happened. Not even close. And now USC has unfortunately been labeled a “dirty program” in some quarters because every single one of our coaches didn’t know how to help a Trojan player handle himself humanely and correctly on the field after he unintentionally hurt an opponent who could have been very seriously injured. That’s a real tragedy to me for both the school I respect so much, and USC… Read more »
Yeah, but will they fire him? It’s going to cost a lot of money to fire him….probably about $60 million(though I’m no expert on the money aspect). But what about his assistants? They have more left on their contracts and they are well paid. Then you have to hire a really good HC. Really good HC’s don’t come cheap.
PN4SC, with my one caveat above, totally agree. What a competent head coach did at UCLA in one season combined with most likely 4 -5 losses for LR this season, I think Jen is going to have to take the difficult pill. That amount of cash out of the program is going to hurt big time, but keeping LR around unless he turns it around this year will probably cause even more damage. Such a shame. Turns out Riley is no different in the long run than Helton, except he gave us a Heisman winner and lot larger buy out.
For those of us who get on UTube, look at it today and watch Locked on USC with Marc Kulkin who has Chris Arledge on today’s show and listen to what he has to say about Lincoln Riley and the way he runs the football program. He “nails” it!
Ultimately it’s LR’s fault. He’s in charge. I get it. But GP has to take some blame. He said before the season started that he could teach his defense to anyone in 3 hours(I think he said 3 hours). We’re 5 weeks into the season and those players still don’t know where they are supposed to be. They line up wrong before the play and then they go to the wrong gaps after the play has started. They look genuinely confused out there. They don’t make adjustments on defense. On one play, it was first and 10(I think against Louisiana… Read more »
Just to clarify some issues being brought up regarding demoting a head coach and buyouts. This from Google AI; Yes, a college head football coach can technically be demoted or reassigned, but it is legally and practically rare. How Demotions and Reassignments Work Reassignment Clauses: Many college coaching contracts include specific language allowing a university to move a head coach to another job within the athletic department or university. Equivalent Status: The new role must usually match the coach’s general education and experience level. Right to Refuse: If a coach refuses the new assignment, the school can terminate the contract… Read more »
I wouldn’t want him in any position, but maybe someone might think he would be a better fit as an OC in ACC or Big 12 or maybe NFL. $1.5 million/yr is the average for those jobs. He’s too antisocial for a media gig. Someone mentioned he just might want to go off to Hawaii and count his money on the beach. Jen and his agent could negotiate there.
$1.5 mil per year, assuming LR can even get that, isn’t much of a buy-out offset based on routine contract terminology. But it’s better than nothing I guess.
I’d be very interested to know if LR would agree to any subservient staff/coord position, or if he’d simply choose to wait until another HCing job opened up — which it will. They always do.
I think he views himself strictly as HCing material, and way too young at only 43 to lay on the beach in paradise all day. JMHO.
True but our administration has made a lot of bad decisions. First hired LR(bad decision although I can understand it….he did look good at the time). Then they chose not to say to him, “You need to hire a good DC….this guy doesn’t have a good record”. Bad decision. Then they let LR hang onto him for 2 years. Bad decision. Now they hired GP….another bad decision. GP may have been a Hall of Fame coach at one time but he is over the hill today.
The off-season is for heavy Kool-Aid drinking, and most of us drank a lot of it.
Many of us refused to adequately consider just whether GP would be really ready, after quite a few years away from coaching, to take on the big SC job and fix the long tormented and maligned Trojan defense. Call me guilty. I bit, hook, line and sinker.
But after watching Max Browne thoroughly and intelligently break down so many USC defensive errors and problems, it’s hard for me think the Trojan D is being well-coached. I doubt ORE thinks so, that’s for sure.
Parcelman it appears GP isn’t cut out for what needs to happen on defense in the BIG so far anyway. Meaning what may have worked in the Big 12 years ago isn’t a slam dunk solution in today’s BIG. You can’t force a round peg into a square hole if that is GP’s hope? With the money Jen is providing, why didn’t Riley hire a proven BIG Ten DC who would jump at USC money? It’s too sensible isn’t it for Riley to figure it out.
I don’t think the lesser role relegation angle is even worth discussing. Trying to think of an actual case of that happening in the past, none comes to mind. Can you think of one? No way that is even an option, IMO.
I’m with you vT. In what planetary orbit would LR ever agree to be summarily dismissed to a junior position? And that’s not a personal knock on him at all. I wouldn’t either.
Whatever happens to LR, he should go down swinging. Since I don’t see him going up in anyone’s eyes after his consistently disappointing performances, I wish he’d finally show some guts and smarts, and finally win an important big battle or two before being told by Jen Cohen he’d be much happier some place else. And so would we.
Six-point underdog UW has defeated USC three straight times (2024 – 26-21, 2023 – 52-42, 2019 – 28-14).
Each is looking to rebound from a bad loss last Saturday at home. Jayden Maiava, who leads the nation in passing yds through five games, will face a Husky defense that already has six interceptions. USC has three picks, two by Prophet Brown and one by Christian Pierce.
USC allows pressures on only 20 percent of its dropbacks (13th nationally), according to PFF, so Maiava often has plenty of time to pick defenses apart.
After watching the game again I realized, USC got beaten in just about every facet of the game, which looked to be a better team all around. They had the USC offense figured out pretty well, and executed on their own offense. Got beat by a better team. Yet USC stayed in the game up till late in the 4th. Oregon is a better team than Penn St, Wisc, Washington, and on the same level as Ohio St. I still have hopeful expectations.
A few podcasts these past days have shown our defense is still not communicating to each other in time before plays start. Patterson. & his staff have got to be seeing this. As for no penetration at the LOS to rush the passer? That’s a coaching deficiency, it can’t be anything else.
Is it the coaching is deficient, the scheme is deficient, or to involved to be grasped quickly. Or are there players that are deficient? Or is it a combo of all the above. How to fix it fast is the big question.
Apparently “all options are on the table” re Lincoln Riley, who’s looking for silver linings — “We didn’t get run out of the stadium” Ryan Kartje (LAT) — The days since USC lost to ORE have prompted questions across the country about Lincoln Riley’s future at USC, where he’s midway through his fifth season as coach. One person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly on the matter told The Times that “all options are on the table” with Riley after the loss and the events of last weekend. The Desman Stephens’ hit on QB Dante Moore… Read more »
Who would want to hire LR now? I’m serious. If you were an AD, would you want to pursue a huge disppointment who couldn’t cut it at a “blue blood” despite all the backing anyone could ask for? Would getting a cheap deal be a good enough reason? That’s still a big price for possible extended failure. I seriously doubt LR would be willing to be downgraded to OC status. He’d be giving away free money for a massive demotion, and he views himself as the big wheel. And if you were an NFL team, why would you want him… Read more »
So the idea is he can’t compete on the field in the B1G leading USC, and he’s not a great recruiter or communicator by any means, but he’s good enough for us, huh?
Kind of the reverse Bob Chesney path to greatness. We shall see.
Clay Helton is 1-3 at GA SO. Maybe they’ll want Lincoln.
Allen agree Riley wouldn’t settle for being an OC elsewhere. Contract language could prohibit, but then again not, demoting LR to USC’s OC and having Patterson or an outsider finish the season. If we cant budge on the buyout, and things continue to unravel with this guy, why not at least try a positional change, at best bringing LR to the table to negotiate a buy down of the remaining balance, and at worst, we’ve got some semblance of a real HC. I know I know far fetched stuff but we are on the brink of program collapse, not just… Read more »
I don’t think HCs like to negotiate down their huge buy-outs. It kind of defeats the purpose of having them in the first place.
Brian Kelly just had a big fight with LSU over his departure money and he collected full boat.
If Jen Cohen can whittle LR down, more power to her. This behind-the-scenes stuff is very intriguing. One could argue LR really damaged USC’s rep with the way he and his coaches initially responded on the field to the bad hit which has caused such a nationwide derogatory reaction. Just a wild thought.
Everyone keeps referring to the buyout, as I recall, the initial contract was for 10M a year for ten years. Unless something changed I’m not aware of, his buyout after this year would be 50M. So from where has the 70M figure come from ? Brian Kelly had a supposed buyout at Notre Dame at 50M when all was said and done Kelly received a 5M dollar check from ND.So, in my mind Riley’s buyout is very negotionable. I’ve read that Riley’s mansion in Gated Rolling Hills was financed through USC’s involvement, succinctly put, I don’t believe Riley holds all… Read more »
Bob Chesney is the L.A. version of Curt Cignetti. No, Chesney’s not going to go undefeated and win the NC in his first year. He doesn’t need to. He’s already worked his miracle for the Bruins. UCLA’s a completely different program since Chesney rolled into Westwood. Just ask any UCLA fan. Or look at them. They’re through the roof with unbridled optimism, and practically dancing in the streets after so many years of hard core frustration and lost hope. That’s one dangerous, tough team and the Bruins obviously made a great choice to lead their team back to respectability, possibly… Read more »
Going to be interesting to see what happens on Oct 10 when they visit Eugene. Of course they are expected to lose but do they lose 41 to 27 or 65 to 7? It might provide a bit more info on their position regarding any higher ambitions this year. The rest of the schedule is mid level to weak so a good record could be expected.
I am giving Chesney a lot more credit than you are illinoisusc. For some reason I’ve always felt he was gonna be a winner at UCLA, probably because of what he says. That’s a guy I’d like to be coached by. I’ve watched every one of their games and I’d say the Bruins are already better than USC, which could barely beat RUT and once again got punked by ORE, in the Coliseum no less, and by a 2nd team QB, who’s probably better than the 1st teamer. The Bruins have a better running game that’s based on power, unlike… Read more »
OK I hear you………and I do agree he has improved the team. I just do not see a superstar yet. I’ve watched almost none of their games. I did watch a good portion of the Purdue game and Purdue kicked their defense around in LA pretty good. Put up 38…..and this is Purdue……but they shutdown Maryland on the road!. The issue for me is these are bottom fish. CAL just got beat by that horrible Clemson team at home. It almost sounds like how some folks seeing a 4-0 USC called for a win against Oregon. Their schedule is soft… Read more »
When LR was hired, there was moderate to high enthusiasm, especially after experiencing Helton for too long. Subconsciously, most here were positive, but knew this hire wasn’t exactly what was needed. Helton was a finesse coach, LR is a finesse coach. Helton and LR are “players” coaches, which is simply code for soft, undisciplined and lack of accountability. Helton, knowing he was on the annual chopping block, simply stop recruiting. LR, having literally the best HS football programs in the nation down the 405 freeway, was recruiting the South. Special teams? Waste of a coaching position. USC needed essentially the… Read more »
This, and many actions like it, is why Riley is not a college coach. His actions on Sunday should be kicking ass and taking names, not rah rah the sun will come out tomorrow. His sidelines are pee wee to high school at best. His players congratulating someone after a devastating hit shows the complete lack of understanding college athletes have; one play can end a career and all future plans. High school athletes, almost all of them, expect to play in college at some level. College players are trying out for professional jobs. Kids in high school lack the… Read more »
ATL- for a long time, I thought you were dismissive of Riley, and too quick to write him off. Well, you were 100% correct, and you saw it before I did. I am completely over him. The sooner our AD kicks him to the curb, the better the program is off. As for this year, I think we will be fighting for bowl eligibility. That is pathetic, considering the resources he has been handed.
Why would USC go all in like they have since they hired Bowden and build what they have in such a short time to let it all go by firing Riley. Their investment is in a good 2026 season but building for 2027, at least that was the talk last year. Bowden says the time is now, and that could be hype. If Riley goes, so goes a lot of kids they worked hard to recruit. Just the way things go. I think Cohen is going to give Riley next year to have a proven program built. Will it happen,… Read more »
Everyone expresses their thoughtful views intelligently here, different as they may be, in a non-toxic way and respectful of others. We are a family. Many of the TDBers don’t necessarily agree with you about Lincoln Riley, which is their prerogative. Not all of us are just simply willing to blow off yet another highly predictable horrible USC loss to a major rival like you are. We get it. You’re a sunshine pumper. Good for you. Nobody has anything against that. Your presence here is important to us all. USC needs and deserves your valuable support, just as it deserves the… Read more »
It’s never going to be like Wolf’s site on here, we all know that.
Ya, frankly, I couldn’t really understand why you brought his irrelevant trademark negative approach into TDB conversation in the first place.
I need some help TDBers. I’m going to my niece’s baby shower Saturday. The theme of the party is college football. My niece and nephew went to Oregon. Her husband went to SDSU, played Rugby and is a cop. So we are talking about 75 people who are either Oregon fans, Aztec fans, rugby players, cops and or Polynesian. Should I wear a USC shirt or an Aztec shirt (my other school)?
If you are an introvert and need help starting a conversation, by all means, where your USC gear but if you like your niece and want to keep the peace, where the Aztec gear.
Wear an Indiana shirt, nobody will argue with that.
Go Cardinal and Gold — remember through thick and thin. USC needs us all now more than ever.
Since the theme is college football, I’d be humble, plead the fifth and highly congratulatory to the triumphant Duck fans. It’s pretty easy to laugh at the Trojans now. That might go over well too.
Have fun. Combining a baby shower with CFB and all the different types you mention sounds like an absolutely great time.
Riley is not only a bad head football coach, poor leader and overpaid, now he is embarrassing USC, students, alumni and fans. But as you say, through thick and thin, Go Cardinal and Gold, be true to your school as the song goes. I will wear my Cardinal and Gold and have no defense for what happened with Stephens and laugh at the sorry state of USC football.
Show your great taste. If I were a Duck fan, I’d respect anyone willing to show up in a Trojan shirt. I just would. Sometimes taking heat can be a lot of fun if it comes. And if it doesn’t, more power to those who have better things to do.
Again, have a great time. And beat the Huskies too.
The solution is so simple I am surprised nobody has done it. The school can’t do it, the school can’t know about it, in fact if you’re the school stop reading this now. Lincoln Riley is no choirboy, so an influential alum needs to invite him out to his home for a dinner or celebration. During the meal offer drinks and fine food, make sure that’s what he remembers. After the meal offer something stronger that might help Lincoln start sinking’. Also offer his driver more of the same liquor you ply Mr. Riley with. No illegal drugs or other… Read more »
Obviously, you know how to play ball with the big boys RT. I wish Riley did.
Is time really running out on Lincoln Riley at USC? Only Jen Cohen knows for sure.
Allen you said it during the summer and so have many podcasters & reporters : This is the year of no excuses, we will make the playoff or else. The patient fanbase will scream after each loss this season, and it sure has come to reality after just this first loss. It will only get worse in response to future losses. Jen has to protect what she has created for the USC football HC what is needed to compete with all other programs and win championships, meaning her job. So unless something unusual happens giving Riley a pass to another… Read more »
Absolutely. If USC somehow gets to the playoffs and beats UCLA (an absolute requirement), Riley stays. Anything less is well, another compromise in favor of prolonged mediocrity, way too much of what we have been forced to endure already IMO.
Beat UCLA and get to the playoffs? So far that’s not what I’m seeing. The Bruins right now are a much better team and there are too many really good teams in the Big 10 for SC to make the playoffs.
But you’re seeing with untrained eyes. 😉
I just returned from a two week cruise to Canada. I wrote weeks ago that we would know what type of team we would have after the first two weeks. I was particularly interested to see if LR had changed enough to overcome his absolutely abysmal East Coast record. Well, LR is still the same guy. My take is he must go a minimum of 9-3 and must beat UCLA. I do not think he has it in him. If he goes around 7-5 and loses to UCLA and the Bruins make the playoffs, then he will have taken the… Read more »
Hope you loved your cruise. Probably magical.
USC can’t afford to live on speculation any more. It’s killing us.
I’m looking forward to Mosley’s return big-time. Just a beautiful player. So glad he’s a Trojan. But he doesn’t play D. And he doesn’t coach either.
Honestly Allen, outside of the 70 million buyout, I can’t see any scenario where Cohen/ Bowden have no doubt that Lincoln is not capable of making USC great again. And there is no way a team that lacks discipline, accountability, solid defense and can’t play well on the road is going to make a run at the playoffs. I am sure before the season is over, Lincoln will give the administration plenty more reasons to fire him, as the losses mount up.
I think you are correct PN4SC. This 2026 USC team doesn’t look like a playoff group to me. We were all told to expect a lot better and it just hasn’t happened. Not even close. And now USC has unfortunately been labeled a “dirty program” in some quarters because every single one of our coaches didn’t know how to help a Trojan player handle himself humanely and correctly on the field after he unintentionally hurt an opponent who could have been very seriously injured. That’s a real tragedy to me for both the school I respect so much, and USC… Read more »
Yeah, but will they fire him? It’s going to cost a lot of money to fire him….probably about $60 million(though I’m no expert on the money aspect). But what about his assistants? They have more left on their contracts and they are well paid. Then you have to hire a really good HC. Really good HC’s don’t come cheap.
PN4SC, with my one caveat above, totally agree. What a competent head coach did at UCLA in one season combined with most likely 4 -5 losses for LR this season, I think Jen is going to have to take the difficult pill. That amount of cash out of the program is going to hurt big time, but keeping LR around unless he turns it around this year will probably cause even more damage. Such a shame. Turns out Riley is no different in the long run than Helton, except he gave us a Heisman winner and lot larger buy out.
For those of us who get on UTube, look at it today and watch Locked on USC with Marc Kulkin who has Chris Arledge on today’s show and listen to what he has to say about Lincoln Riley and the way he runs the football program. He “nails” it!
Ultimately it’s LR’s fault. He’s in charge. I get it. But GP has to take some blame. He said before the season started that he could teach his defense to anyone in 3 hours(I think he said 3 hours). We’re 5 weeks into the season and those players still don’t know where they are supposed to be. They line up wrong before the play and then they go to the wrong gaps after the play has started. They look genuinely confused out there. They don’t make adjustments on defense. On one play, it was first and 10(I think against Louisiana… Read more »
Just to clarify some issues being brought up regarding demoting a head coach and buyouts. This from Google AI; Yes, a college head football coach can technically be demoted or reassigned, but it is legally and practically rare. How Demotions and Reassignments Work Reassignment Clauses: Many college coaching contracts include specific language allowing a university to move a head coach to another job within the athletic department or university. Equivalent Status: The new role must usually match the coach’s general education and experience level. Right to Refuse: If a coach refuses the new assignment, the school can terminate the contract… Read more »
If you were an AD at a Power Four program, would you hire LR knowing all you know about him now?
And if so, how much would you pay and for how many years to start?
I wouldn’t want him in any position, but maybe someone might think he would be a better fit as an OC in ACC or Big 12 or maybe NFL. $1.5 million/yr is the average for those jobs. He’s too antisocial for a media gig. Someone mentioned he just might want to go off to Hawaii and count his money on the beach. Jen and his agent could negotiate there.
$1.5 mil per year, assuming LR can even get that, isn’t much of a buy-out offset based on routine contract terminology. But it’s better than nothing I guess.
I’d be very interested to know if LR would agree to any subservient staff/coord position, or if he’d simply choose to wait until another HCing job opened up — which it will. They always do.
I think he views himself strictly as HCing material, and way too young at only 43 to lay on the beach in paradise all day. JMHO.
True but our administration has made a lot of bad decisions. First hired LR(bad decision although I can understand it….he did look good at the time). Then they chose not to say to him, “You need to hire a good DC….this guy doesn’t have a good record”. Bad decision. Then they let LR hang onto him for 2 years. Bad decision. Now they hired GP….another bad decision. GP may have been a Hall of Fame coach at one time but he is over the hill today.
The off-season is for heavy Kool-Aid drinking, and most of us drank a lot of it.
Many of us refused to adequately consider just whether GP would be really ready, after quite a few years away from coaching, to take on the big SC job and fix the long tormented and maligned Trojan defense. Call me guilty. I bit, hook, line and sinker.
But after watching Max Browne thoroughly and intelligently break down so many USC defensive errors and problems, it’s hard for me think the Trojan D is being well-coached. I doubt ORE thinks so, that’s for sure.
I really never wanted GP. I wanted Kwiatkowski
I hope they didn’t hire him for a long term expensive contract because I’m beginning to wonder what the difference is between him and Grinch.
Sadly, you are spot on. This is truly difficult to believe that USC is still in this mess.
Yeah, it is truly difficult to believe considering all the measures they’ve taken to correct the problem.
Parcelman it appears GP isn’t cut out for what needs to happen on defense in the BIG so far anyway. Meaning what may have worked in the Big 12 years ago isn’t a slam dunk solution in today’s BIG. You can’t force a round peg into a square hole if that is GP’s hope? With the money Jen is providing, why didn’t Riley hire a proven BIG Ten DC who would jump at USC money? It’s too sensible isn’t it for Riley to figure it out.
It would have been nice to get Iowa’s DC although not very probable.
GT, thanks for your research on this topic. We can use your guidelines to better guess what would occur if Riley no longer is HC here
I don’t think the lesser role relegation angle is even worth discussing. Trying to think of an actual case of that happening in the past, none comes to mind. Can you think of one? No way that is even an option, IMO.
I’m with you vT. In what planetary orbit would LR ever agree to be summarily dismissed to a junior position? And that’s not a personal knock on him at all. I wouldn’t either.
Whatever happens to LR, he should go down swinging. Since I don’t see him going up in anyone’s eyes after his consistently disappointing performances, I wish he’d finally show some guts and smarts, and finally win an important big battle or two before being told by Jen Cohen he’d be much happier some place else. And so would we.
USC hasn’t beaten UW since 2017
Six-point underdog UW has defeated USC three straight times (2024 – 26-21, 2023 – 52-42, 2019 – 28-14).
Each is looking to rebound from a bad loss last Saturday at home. Jayden Maiava, who leads the nation in passing yds through five games, will face a Husky defense that already has six interceptions. USC has three picks, two by Prophet Brown and one by Christian Pierce.
USC allows pressures on only 20 percent of its dropbacks (13th nationally), according to PFF, so Maiava often has plenty of time to pick defenses apart.
Bowman questionable, along with Mosley and VanSumeren.
After watching the game again I realized, USC got beaten in just about every facet of the game, which looked to be a better team all around. They had the USC offense figured out pretty well, and executed on their own offense. Got beat by a better team. Yet USC stayed in the game up till late in the 4th. Oregon is a better team than Penn St, Wisc, Washington, and on the same level as Ohio St. I still have hopeful expectations.
A few podcasts these past days have shown our defense is still not communicating to each other in time before plays start. Patterson. & his staff have got to be seeing this. As for no penetration at the LOS to rush the passer? That’s a coaching deficiency, it can’t be anything else.
Is it the coaching is deficient, the scheme is deficient, or to involved to be grasped quickly. Or are there players that are deficient? Or is it a combo of all the above. How to fix it fast is the big question.
Apparently “all options are on the table” re Lincoln Riley, who’s looking for silver linings — “We didn’t get run out of the stadium” Ryan Kartje (LAT) — The days since USC lost to ORE have prompted questions across the country about Lincoln Riley’s future at USC, where he’s midway through his fifth season as coach. One person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly on the matter told The Times that “all options are on the table” with Riley after the loss and the events of last weekend. The Desman Stephens’ hit on QB Dante Moore… Read more »
I would love to be a fly on the wall in meeting Jen Cohen and Chad Bowden are having right now about Lincoln Riley. The options are:
What they choose to do will be interesting.
Who would want to hire LR now? I’m serious. If you were an AD, would you want to pursue a huge disppointment who couldn’t cut it at a “blue blood” despite all the backing anyone could ask for? Would getting a cheap deal be a good enough reason? That’s still a big price for possible extended failure. I seriously doubt LR would be willing to be downgraded to OC status. He’d be giving away free money for a massive demotion, and he views himself as the big wheel. And if you were an NFL team, why would you want him… Read more »
I think there are a lot of Power 5 schools that might be interested in him depending on how they are doing right now and finish the season.
So the idea is he can’t compete on the field in the B1G leading USC, and he’s not a great recruiter or communicator by any means, but he’s good enough for us, huh?
Kind of the reverse Bob Chesney path to greatness. We shall see.
Clay Helton is 1-3 at GA SO. Maybe they’ll want Lincoln.
Allen agree Riley wouldn’t settle for being an OC elsewhere. Contract language could prohibit, but then again not, demoting LR to USC’s OC and having Patterson or an outsider finish the season. If we cant budge on the buyout, and things continue to unravel with this guy, why not at least try a positional change, at best bringing LR to the table to negotiate a buy down of the remaining balance, and at worst, we’ve got some semblance of a real HC. I know I know far fetched stuff but we are on the brink of program collapse, not just… Read more »
I don’t think HCs like to negotiate down their huge buy-outs. It kind of defeats the purpose of having them in the first place.
Brian Kelly just had a big fight with LSU over his departure money and he collected full boat.
If Jen Cohen can whittle LR down, more power to her. This behind-the-scenes stuff is very intriguing. One could argue LR really damaged USC’s rep with the way he and his coaches initially responded on the field to the bad hit which has caused such a nationwide derogatory reaction. Just a wild thought.
Everyone keeps referring to the buyout, as I recall, the initial contract was for 10M a year for ten years. Unless something changed I’m not aware of, his buyout after this year would be 50M. So from where has the 70M figure come from ? Brian Kelly had a supposed buyout at Notre Dame at 50M when all was said and done Kelly received a 5M dollar check from ND.So, in my mind Riley’s buyout is very negotionable. I’ve read that Riley’s mansion in Gated Rolling Hills was financed through USC’s involvement, succinctly put, I don’t believe Riley holds all… Read more »
I don’t think Bowden has anything to do with hiring or firing the head coach at USC. That is in Jennifer Cohen’s wheelhouse.
Bob Chesney is the L.A. version of Curt Cignetti. No, Chesney’s not going to go undefeated and win the NC in his first year. He doesn’t need to. He’s already worked his miracle for the Bruins. UCLA’s a completely different program since Chesney rolled into Westwood. Just ask any UCLA fan. Or look at them. They’re through the roof with unbridled optimism, and practically dancing in the streets after so many years of hard core frustration and lost hope. That’s one dangerous, tough team and the Bruins obviously made a great choice to lead their team back to respectability, possibly… Read more »
Going to be interesting to see what happens on Oct 10 when they visit Eugene. Of course they are expected to lose but do they lose 41 to 27 or 65 to 7? It might provide a bit more info on their position regarding any higher ambitions this year. The rest of the schedule is mid level to weak so a good record could be expected.
I am giving Chesney a lot more credit than you are illinoisusc. For some reason I’ve always felt he was gonna be a winner at UCLA, probably because of what he says. That’s a guy I’d like to be coached by. I’ve watched every one of their games and I’d say the Bruins are already better than USC, which could barely beat RUT and once again got punked by ORE, in the Coliseum no less, and by a 2nd team QB, who’s probably better than the 1st teamer. The Bruins have a better running game that’s based on power, unlike… Read more »
OK I hear you………and I do agree he has improved the team. I just do not see a superstar yet. I’ve watched almost none of their games. I did watch a good portion of the Purdue game and Purdue kicked their defense around in LA pretty good. Put up 38…..and this is Purdue……but they shutdown Maryland on the road!. The issue for me is these are bottom fish. CAL just got beat by that horrible Clemson team at home. It almost sounds like how some folks seeing a 4-0 USC called for a win against Oregon. Their schedule is soft… Read more »
“Bob Chesney is the L.A. version of Curt Cignetti. ” Chesney smiles, Curt doesn’t. 😂
From dumpster fire to big time hire. I wish he was USC’s coach. Yep, I do, and by a mile …
When LR was hired, there was moderate to high enthusiasm, especially after experiencing Helton for too long. Subconsciously, most here were positive, but knew this hire wasn’t exactly what was needed. Helton was a finesse coach, LR is a finesse coach. Helton and LR are “players” coaches, which is simply code for soft, undisciplined and lack of accountability. Helton, knowing he was on the annual chopping block, simply stop recruiting. LR, having literally the best HS football programs in the nation down the 405 freeway, was recruiting the South. Special teams? Waste of a coaching position. USC needed essentially the… Read more »
This, and many actions like it, is why Riley is not a college coach. His actions on Sunday should be kicking ass and taking names, not rah rah the sun will come out tomorrow. His sidelines are pee wee to high school at best. His players congratulating someone after a devastating hit shows the complete lack of understanding college athletes have; one play can end a career and all future plans. High school athletes, almost all of them, expect to play in college at some level. College players are trying out for professional jobs. Kids in high school lack the… Read more »
Post of the day, so to the point re responsibility.
L. Riley…L for Loser.
The words of Riley have zero credibility with me.
ATL- for a long time, I thought you were dismissive of Riley, and too quick to write him off. Well, you were 100% correct, and you saw it before I did. I am completely over him. The sooner our AD kicks him to the curb, the better the program is off. As for this year, I think we will be fighting for bowl eligibility. That is pathetic, considering the resources he has been handed.
Trust me PN, I wish I wasn’t so prescient about Lincoln Riley