ESPN evaluates Lincoln Riley’s status at USC entering 2026 season

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In a recent story, Adam Rittenberg of ESPN grouped college football head coaches into different hot seat categories. The category in which he put USC football coach Lincoln Riley—and did not contain any other coaches—was “it’s going to cost us.”

“Four years of Riley's leadership haven't yielded a conference title or a College Football Playoff appearance, as USC remains one of the more notable programs never to have made the playoff field,” Rittenberg wrote. “Riley has asked for patience, and USC has made key internal upgrades and signed the nation's No. 1 recruiting class this year. Riley's contract with the school — brokered by previous athletic director Mike Bohn, not current AD Jen Cohen — makes a potential split harder, even though USC is receiving Big Ten revenue.

“Another complicating factor is the 2026 schedule, as USC faces Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, Washington and Penn State this season, while getting all but Indiana and Penn State at home. Still, the Trojans could have a better team and still miss the CFP, which could lead to a decision on Riley.”

On one hand, as Rittenberg mentioned, the schedule is extremely tough this upcoming season. It is quite possible that the Trojans have a very good team and still lose three or more games.

On the other hand, if USC does not make the College Football Playoff in 2026, that would mark five seasons for Riley with zero playoff appearances and zero conference titles. Cost aside, could athletic director Jennifer Cohen really justify keeping him in that case?

If that scenario comes to pass, Cohen will have a difficult decision on her hands. Of course, USC fans are hoping that the Trojans simply make the playoff in 2026 and put questions over Riley’s hot seat status to rest.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: ESPN evaluates status of USC football’s Lincoln Riley entering 2026

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