Lincoln Riley Faces Intense Scrutiny as USC Gears Up for 2025 Season
As USC prepares for its second season in the Big Ten, head coach Lincoln Riley remains under fire following a disappointing 7-6 campaign. After an initial wave of enthusiasm about the transition from the Pac-12, Riley struggled to provide answers for the Trojans’ underwhelming debut in their new conference. Despite ending the season with a 35-31 victory in the Las Vegas Bowl, the six-loss record overshadowed any positives.
With pressure mounting, analysts suggest Riley must deliver a significant turnaround to justify his $110 million contract. Many believe a record of 8-4 or 9-3 would be the bare minimum to demonstrate progress, but others argue that merely improving isn’t enough—USC needs to dominate.
During a recent episode of The Ruffino & Joe Show, analyst Joe DeLeone set a high bar for Riley, emphasizing that his hiring was meant to bring Big Ten Championship contention and College Football Playoff appearances, neither of which have materialized in his three seasons.
Longtime critics, including Paul Finebaum, have been vocal about Riley’s struggles at USC, pointing to both recruiting failures and poor on-field results. Analyst JD Pickell believes USC must focus on in-state recruiting and a national championship mindset, especially after suffering heavy losses in the transfer portal. However, given the program’s recent trajectory, optimism remains scarce.
Adding to the criticism, DeLeone noted that USC has regressed year-over-year, with their lone bright spot being a Pac-12 Championship Game appearance that ended in a blowout loss. He questioned whether Riley has done enough to justify staying in charge, aside from the sheer size of his contract and the potential financial burden of a buyout.
The Trojans’ struggles under Riley have drawn comparisons to the Pete Carroll era, when USC was a powerhouse in college football. Analyst Brian Smith proposed a possible solution for Riley to salvage the program: relinquishing play-calling duties—a strategy that worked for Ryan Day at Ohio State.
Day made the bold decision to delegate play-calling to Brian Hartline, allowing him to focus on the broader aspects of team improvement. The move ultimately contributed to Ohio State’s national championship success. Smith and Big Ten insider Jeff McMichael argue that a similar adjustment could benefit Riley, but there’s no indication he’s considering it.
With USC entering another crucial year in the Big Ten, the pressure is at an all-time high. Whether Riley sticks to his current approach or adapts his coaching style could determine the Trojans’ future in the conference.