ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum didn’t mince words when evaluating Lincoln Riley’s tenure as USC’s head coach.
Once heralded as a transformative hire after leaving Oklahoma for Southern California in 2021, Riley now faces mounting criticism following an enormously rocky 2024 season.
The Trojans stumbled to a 6-6 overall record and went 4-5 in their inaugural Big Ten campaign.
It marked the program’s worst performance under Riley, fueling speculation about his job security.
On The Dan Patrick Show, Finebaum openly questioned why Riley remains at the helm.
“Would someone in California explain to me why Lincoln Riley, as of almost noon, is still the Head Coach of Southern Cal? What has he done? He had the one season with Caleb Williams. Last year, I thought that was a disaster, but then again, I forgot about this season,” Finebaum said.
The mention of Caleb Williams underscores the stark contrast between Riley’s first season and his recent struggles.
Williams, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2022, symbolized early success for Riley at USC. However, the team’s decline has been evident since, leaving everyone in the college football world questioning the program’s direction.
One reason USC may be hesitant to part ways with Riley is his substantial $90 million contract buyout.
Complicating matters further, the team faces uncertainty at quarterback, a position Riley has traditionally excelled at developing.
Junior quarterback Miller Moss recently entered the transfer portal, and five-star recruit Julian Lewis de-committed, dealing a double blow to USC’s future prospects.
Despite Riley’s reputation for grooming elite quarterbacks – such as Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray, and Baker Mayfield – his current roster faces instability at the most critical position.
Besides the uncertainty at quarterback, several important recruits have decommitted from the Trojans in recent weeks.
While there are very few positives to take away from the 2024 season, the fact of the matter is five of USC’s losses were decided by a touchdown or less. (But hey, horseshoes and hand grenades, right?)
Assuming he doesn’t get fired, pressure will be sky-high on Riley to deliver results in 2025.
The Trojans will have additional practices leading up to their bowl game, providing a critical opportunity to refine their approach.
Beyond that, the offseason will be pivotal for Riley as he works to restore confidence in the program.
Something to keep a close eye on are the reports that UCF is interested in luring Riley away from the Trojans.
If we’re being honest, that move would be best for all three parties. But there are plenty of hurdles to jump through to actually make it happen.
What are your thoughts on the job that Riley’s doing at USC? … Does he deserve to be fired???
