Optimism abounds at USC as Lincoln Riley ready to reap rebuild rewards
The Trojans signed the No. 1 recruiting class and return 15 starters this season. Could this be the breakout season under Lincoln Riley?
The USC Trojans pulled off one of the biggest coaching coups in modern history ahead of the 2022 season, prying coach Lincoln Riley away from the Oklahoma Sooners . So far, though, the success hasn't exactly materialized. Riley has certainly raised the program's floor, and he produced a Heisman Trophy winner in Caleb Williams.
Still, Riley is just 35-18 at USC, peaking with an 11-win debut campaign, and is yet to reach the College Football Playoff. That could be set to change this year. There's quite a bit of optimism at USC after a big-time offseason.
The Trojans signed the top-ranked high school recruiting class and return 15 starters, including quarterback Jayden Maiava. They also added a college football coaching legend to the sideline as longtime former TCU coach Gary Patterson was hired as the defensive coordinator, replacing D'Anton Lynn after the latter left for the same role at Penn State . “We’ve stayed in touch; he’s been good through the years to just check in with me,” Riley told USA TODAY Sports' John Brice .
“... We had some great battles through the years, a lot of respect and our conversations never really, totally stopped. ” Riley has had to make some changes at USC.