USC and Lincoln Riley Face Backlash on Social Media After Notre Dame Loss

Three years ago at this time Brian Kelly was en route to LSU, where he would debut a new accent before priming Tigers fans up to nine regular season wins becoming the norm in Baton Rouge.

Kelly had been rumored to be interested in the USC job but that went to Lincoln Riley who bolted Oklahoma.

As a result, Notre Dame had coaching changes in the same off-season.

Three years in, it's easy to see who has a leg up in the success of that hire.

Notre Dame beat USC 49-25 on Saturday to finish the regular season 11-1 and clinch a berth in the College Football Playoff. The Irish will be hosting a home game for the postseason while USC gets ready for the Sun Bowl, Las Vegas Bowl, or something that is very unmemorable.

As you could probably expect, former USC players and current Trojans fans were frustrated with Saturday's result yet again. Here are some of the best social media posts following USC's latest loss to rival Notre Dame.

Water Carrying Colin Cowherd Comes to Senses

Just dawned on me —USC has gotten worse the last three years.
— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) December 1, 2024

Matt Leinart's Frustrations Grow

Finish 6-6 and just really have no clue what we are ? Who we are? There’s no identity. We have good players. Need to recruit harder. As frustrated as anyone. Want to see USC back to being a contender. Don’t think we are close at the moment.
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) December 1, 2024

Opposite Direction of Notre Dame and Freeman

Marcus Freeman is 10-5 vs top-40 opponents (F+) at Notre Dame. Lincoln Riley is 7-12 vs top-40 opponents at USC

Since USC beat ND in LA in 2022, Freeman is 22-4. Riley is 14-13
— Jamie Uyeyama (@jamieuyeyama) December 1, 2024

USC Not on Par with Other Recent Hirings

In 3 years, Steve Sarkisian has turned Texas into a powerhouse.

In 2 years, Deion has made Colorado into a respectful program.

In 3 years, Lincoln Riley has USC going backwards.

How are students, alum, and boosters ok with this? The program is a clown show.
— Josh Gitt (@joshgitt1214) December 1, 2024

Lincoln Riley Doesn't Get USC?

Lincoln Riley doesn’t love USC. He doesn’t care about the fans or what it’s like to be a Trojan. His ego is so huge he thinks he is better than the team.
— Serb 🇷🇸 (@PlayBoiTrojan) December 1, 2024

Coaching Malpractice?

Lincoln Riley with a massive Oline and a sick run game

2nd and 3 pass
3rd and 3 pass
4th and 3 bomb pic.twitter.com/wubBvwL1NJ
— HIM (@CrazyCodie) November 30, 2024

Lincoln Riley's 2024 Masterclass

Lincoln Riley put on a masterclass this year on how not to be a head coach
— Two T's (@MattOfUM) December 1, 2024

USC Regressing Under Riley

USC under Lincoln Riley

Year 1: 11-3
Year 2: 8-5 (Started year ranked 6)
Year 3: 6-6 (Started year ranked 23)

Regressing every year 😶 pic.twitter.com/8Txg55TghE
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) December 1, 2024

Tons of Pressure in Year Four for Lincoln Riley at USC

Lincoln Riley is not getting fired this season but he should be on the hot seat.

To me Season 4 of Lincoln Riley at USC is do or die.

Make the playoffs or you are fired
— LA (@LASportsFanatic) December 1, 2024

USC Getting Worse by the Year

To the apologists: Lincoln Riley will win less games in Year 3 than Year 2 and won less games Year 2 than Year 1
He's gotten worse each season
— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) December 1, 2024

Financial Crimes?

USC paid Lincoln Riley $10m a yr for 6 regular season wins

UCLA paid Deshaun Foster 1/3 of that to finish one game apart.

Somebody should sue the USC AD for some financial crimes https://t.co/D0JgiD73fm
— Kosh (@KosherBruin) December 1, 2024

USC a Dead Program?

Lincoln Riley has been a failure and the football program is DEAD. ✌🏻
— 🛥🏴‍☠️ (@_Jduuuub_) December 1, 2024

USC Fans Can Hope...

USC fans and alumni pleading with the Bears to hire Lincoln Riley like… pic.twitter.com/FZciiC3pzq
— The Reverend Reiderson (@ChipReiderson) December 1, 2024

Ouch

Ryan Day 🤝 Lincoln Riley

Losers
— LA (@LASportsFanatic) November 30, 2024

USC Not Built for Big Ten Football

Lincoln Riley getting paid 11 million to go 6-6 and have a really soft run Defense in the Big 10…yikes! His Offense is still good though!
— Rob Phillips (@robphillips76) December 1, 2024

Lincoln Riley Era Summed Up

If the Lincoln Riley era was a 5 second clip - this would be it https://t.co/pbokIAXq4F
— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) December 1, 2024

Lincoln Riley Playcalling Issues

USC needs to hire an offensive coordinator. Lincoln Riley is not a good play caller.
— Serb 🇷🇸 (@PlayBoiTrojan) November 30, 2024

Fraud Alert

Top 3 Biggest Frauds in College Football:

1. Ryan Day
2. Lincoln Riley
3. Mario Cristobal#CollegeFootball
— Mr. Opinions (@203_ball_knower) December 1, 2024