Optimism abounds at USC as Lincoln Riley ready to reap rebuild rewards
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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. He brought defensive coordinator Alex Grinch with him from Oklahoma, but Grinch was let go after his unit struggled tremendously amid an 8-5 season in 2023. The following year, in 2024, the team regressed to 7-6.
However, USC won nine games last year and is hoping to build off that result. General manager Chad Bowden said Riley has adapted during his time in Los Angeles.
“Lincoln’s ability to adapt, in the new college football era, since I’ve gotten here, he’s evolved and he’s hungry to win at the highest levels,” Bowden said. “He’s had to make really hard decisions within his program, but he’s made those decisions, and USC is better for it.
“I think he’s evolved, and things weren’t on his plate eight years ago that now are on his plate and he’s done a great job of evolving in the new era.”
Riley believes the Trojans are ready to reap the rewards of their rebuild in 2026.
“Every year is big, and I think there is a sense, I certainly understand the rebuild that has happened here,” Riley said. “All the work done to get this place back to where we believe it can and should be. I’m excited about the cumulative effect of it, but I know, listen, these opportunities, nothing’s ever a given in this game. College football and the highest level of sports teach that and will humble you in a second. The second it ever feels easy … you better make the most of every single opportunity.
“I’ve loved the climb here. We’ve had great moments and had some challenging moments. That’s part of taking over, but I’m very bullish on the work done, the progress made and the opportunity we’ve created for this program.”
The only question that remains is whether USC can finally get over the hump in Year 5 under Riley and find itself in contention for a national championship.
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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: USC Football: Lincoln Riley optimistic entering 2026 season
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