Lincoln Riley arrived in Los Angeles with sky-high expectations, having achieved a remarkable 55-10 record during his tenure at Oklahoma. However, his time with the Trojans has not matched the hype, notably culminating in a disappointing 8-5 season in 2023.
Despite boasting one of the nation’s top quarterbacks, USC faltered down the stretch, losing five of their final six regular-season games. Defensive struggles plagued the team, with USC ranking a dismal No. 121 in scoring defense, a recurring issue under Riley’s leadership.
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum critiqued Riley’s tenure on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, predicting a possible departure after next season despite Riley’s hefty $110 million contract extension. Finebaum pointed to player departures and USC’s underwhelming performance as evidence of Riley’s struggles.
Finebaum acknowledged Riley’s offensive acumen but questioned whether he could replicate past success at USC, given current circumstances. USC’s recent history includes a Pac-12 Championship appearance in 2022 but was marred by a humiliating defeat to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl and a lackluster 2023 campaign.
The Trojans’ defensive woes prompted changes, such as hiring D’Anton Lynn from UCLA, aiming to bolster their defensive prowess after his successful stint as UCLA’s defensive coordinator.
Finebaum suggested Riley’s tenure at USC might end dramatically, labeling it potentially one of the most significant collapses in modern college football history. USC kicks off the 2024 season against LSU in the Vegas Kickoff Classic on Sept. 1, a game that could further define Riley’s future with the Trojans.
