Once hailed as a rising star in college football coaching circles, Lincoln Riley’s tenure at USC has been marked by disappointment. With a record of 19-8 over two years, and amidst USC’s shift to the Big Ten amid conference realignment, Riley finds himself under intensifying scrutiny.
Notably, college football’s foremost analyst, Paul Finebaum, has suggested that Riley’s time at USC could be nearing its end. Finebaum recently speculated that USC might finish the 2024 season with a losing record, asserting that Riley has struggled to maintain control of the program.
“Bruce Feldman mentioned earlier that he expects them to achieve around seven wins, which is precarious for a USC coach following two consecutive challenging seasons,” Finebaum remarked. “In my view, Lincoln Riley has lost control. Once you lose control, it’s like sinking in quicksand.”
Since Riley’s high-profile departure from Oklahoma and arrival at USC two years ago, things haven’t gone according to plan. His dramatic debut at the Coliseum seemed promising initially, with USC securing 11 wins in Riley’s first season and quarterback Caleb Williams earning the Heisman Trophy. However, defensive weaknesses prevented the team from securing a College Football Playoff spot.
Disappointments continued with a defeat in the Pac-12 Championship Game against Utah and a narrow loss to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl. Last season, USC struggled defensively again, finishing with an 8-5 record despite defeating Louisville in the Holiday Bowl.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, USC faces a daunting schedule that includes an opener against SEC powerhouse LSU in Las Vegas, followed by challenging matchups in the Big Ten against teams like Michigan, Washington, Penn State, and Notre Dame—all playoff contenders.
Finebaum has been vocal in his criticism of Riley’s leadership at USC, previously labeling the Trojans’ performance under Riley as a “complete disaster.” Following USC’s string of losses, including a defeat to UCLA, Finebaum suggested Riley might need to consider his future.
“It’s a total disaster, and frankly, he should think about stepping down. I don’t see a clear path forward for him,” Finebaum stated candidly. “Maybe Lincoln needs to reflect on his coaching abilities. Perhaps he’s not cut out for this.”
The upcoming season represents a critical opportunity for Riley to refute these criticisms and salvage his reputation at USC. Otherwise, USC may face an earlier and more challenging decision regarding Riley’s future than originally anticipated.
