Riley Confirms Commitment to Stay as USC Coach 100%
Lincoln Riley, the head coach of the University of Southern California (USC), has reaffirmed his commitment to the Trojans for the upcoming season. In a statement made after a recent practice, Riley expressed his intent to stay with the program, declaring, “Oh yeah, 100%.”
Riley’s Dedication to USC
Riley emphasized his focus on building a successful team at USC, highlighting the imminent opening of the university’s new $200 million football facility next summer. “I love being here,” he stated, further reinforcing his commitment to the program and its future.
Coaching Carousel Context
As college football gears up for a busy coaching carousel, with vacancies emerging at institutions like LSU, Penn State, and Florida, Riley’s name has occasionally surfaced in discussions. However, he continues to dismiss any rumors surrounding a potential departure from USC.
Riley’s Sacrifices
- Riley reflected on the sacrifices he made to take on the head coaching role at USC.
- He stressed, “You guys know what I sacrificed to be here,” confirming his satisfaction with his current position.
His Record at USC
Since taking over as head coach in 2021, Riley has led USC to a record of 34 wins against 17 losses. His performance includes:
- 11-3 in his first season (2022)
- 8-5 in the following year
- 7-6 in the most recent season
This season, the Trojans held an 8-2 record before a recent setback against Oregon, ranked No. 6 in the College Football Playoff standings, which eliminated USC from playoff contention. Riley described this season as “a very good year — right on the verge of being a great year, but a very good year.”
Upcoming Challenges
USC is set to face off against UCLA in their regular-season finale on Saturday, an important matchup as the team looks to close the season on a positive note.
