Lincoln Riley will turn 41 just before USC’s game against Utah State this season. Despite being a young coach, Riley already boasts a résumé that many college football coaches would envy.
At Oklahoma, he secured four Big 12 titles, achieved four top-six finishes, six top-12 finishes, made three College Football Playoff appearances, and compiled a 55-10 record.
Expectations were sky-high for Riley to elevate USC to national championship status immediately. While his defense struggled in 2022, his offense thrived. He led the Trojans to the Pac-12 Championship, guided Caleb Williams to a Heisman Trophy, and came close to a CFP berth.
However, last season saw USC finish 8-5, a stark contrast to Riley’s tenure at Oklahoma where he only lost ten games in five years. The Trojans’ defense faltered, there was an over-reliance on Williams, and they ended the regular season with a 1-5 run before beating Louisville in the Holiday Bowl.
Losing to Notre Dame by 28 points due to five turnovers and falling to UCLA by 18 points didn’t help Riley’s cause.
1) A segment of the USC fan base might consider putting Riley on the hot seat if he doesn’t have a stellar first season in the Big Ten.
2) This murmuring started in November last year, although it wasn’t serious, some fans were chattering.
3) Could Riley be fired? If so, he would quickly be snapped up by another top college program or the NFL. Despite this seeming unlikely, USC faces a tough schedule, the defense must prove itself, and Riley lacks a star quarterback like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, or Caleb Williams.
Lincoln Riley Hot Seat Status:
Freezing: USC beats LSU to start the season, wins at Michigan, and has a successful season with at least ten wins or a respectable 9-3 record due to a tough schedule.
Warm: The Trojans struggle, the defense shows little improvement, and the offense regresses. Even if they finish 8-4 with losses to LSU, Michigan, Washington, and Notre Dame, there will be chatter but no firing.
Flaming: USC has an awful season in the Big Ten, with a poor defense and ugly losses to LSU and Michigan. If they go 6-6, losing to UCLA and Notre Dame again, Riley’s position could be at serious risk.
Prediction: Despite a rough start with losses to LSU and Michigan, USC will finish around 8-4 or 9-3. Cooler heads will prevail as the offense performs well and a win over a College Football Playoff-bound Notre Dame will ease the pressure on Riley.
