USC Trojans' Lincoln Riley On Hot Seat Entering Pivotal Football Season?

The USC Trojans are behind the eight ball heading into this season. In what will be their second season in the Big Ten Conference, coach Lincoln Riley and the new look Trojans staff will have to improve on the 7-6 record from the 2024 season and the 8-5 record from the 2023 season. The record under Riley has progressively gotten worse in each season, yet there are still massive expectations and excitement about the program.

While the six losses were the most Riley has ever had as a head coach, the losses are historically an outlier. The Trojans either held a lead or tied in five of those losses in the fourth quarter, and five of their six losses were by one possession. While the defense made strides under defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, the offense struggled to generate consistent scoring. With new hope going into this season, what is enough for the Trojans in 2025?

Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley and Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman shake hands after the game at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

"Well the way I’ve always looked at USC, I equate them to Ohio State, Alabama, Texas, and Florida. I’ve always looked at USC as one of the top five jobs in America. I have a lot of respect for Lincoln Riley. I’m not gonna call for jobs. I promised myself I’d never do that. However, when seven or eight wins is acceptable at USC, I don’t agree with that,” National Championship head coach Urban Meyer said.

“I think you take a five-hour net and drop it on USC and you see the best players in the country. So, I think this is the year. Here’s a a question I have about USC, they have the No. 1 recruiting class in the country right now. Shouldn't they have that every year? I mean, USC is USC,” Meyer said closing.

MORE: USC Trojans Battling UCLA Bruins For 5-Star Recruit Jason Crowe Jr. For Top-10 Ranked Class

MORE: USC Trojans, Lincoln Riley Ranked: Most Under Pressure In College Football?

MORE: EXCLUSIVE: USC Trojans Recruit Madden Riordan Details 'Surreal' Visit On Birthday Weekend

Meyer is correct. The Trojans have fired coaches with similar records and winning percentages as Riley through three or more seasons; however, the forward momentum the Trojans have on the recruiting trail and the investment into their staff make this a unique situation. The glimpse of the future looks promising, yet the reality of the situation is that the Trojans need proof of concept now to see that vision through.

“Every step right now feels good. You feel the progress within the walls right now, the ability to be able to go out. The progress has put us back in a position where we feel like we can have an opportunity to bring in the very best into our program, whether it’s staff members, whether it’s recruits. You go into this recruiting cycle, and you feel like you got a shot to go add the very best people in the business, the people that are going to help propel USC forward,” Riley said earlier this offseason.

Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (8) celebrates with wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) and wide receiver Kyle Ford (81) after scoring on a 15-yard touchdown run against the Texas A&M Aggies in the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The addition of general manager Chad Bowden has been instrumental in the recent development of the recruiting success as well. Bowden’s one of the best recruiters, forward thinkers, and evaluators in the game, and he’s young. He’s a program changer and has a proven track record already. The fight isn’t just for this season; it’s for the next decade.

If the USC staff wants that opportunity, they’ll have to put the results on the field and do it as soon as possible. The Trojans are investing in the now and they’ll have to provide results to reap the benefits in the future.

Recommended Articles