No one could have seen this coming.
When USC lured Lincoln Riley away from Oklahoma three years ago, the Trojans had visions of national championships, conference championships, west coast dominance, elite recruiting, and a rise back to national prominence.
That’s why they signed Riley to ten-year deal that was reportedly worth more than $100million.
According to USA Today, Riley had the fourth highest salary during the 2024 season at a little over $10m, behind only the likes of Georgia‘s Kirby smart, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney and Texas‘ Steve Sarkisian.
Fast forward to today, and the Athletic has reported that UCF, a middling Big 12 program, has reached out to Riley’s representatives about his availability and possible interest in becoming their next head coach.
Of course Riley, isn’t going to swap his USC hat for a UCF one, he said as much.
“I’m a USC Trojan,” Riley said when asked about being linked to other jobs.
“This is the only place I want to be.”
The fact that Riley is even being asked about other jobs is alarming, and shows the shortcomings of his time at the University of Southern California.
He went 11-3 in his first year at the helm, led by Heisman-winning quarterback, and future number one overall pick, Caleb Williams.
They reached the Pac-12 championship, but fell to Utah, closing the door on their playoff hopes.
A year later Riley and Williams scuttled to a disappointing 8-5 mark, good for a fourth place finish in the Pac-12.
This season, it feels like the rug has been pulled from under Riley.
With Williams now a Chicago Bear, the Trojans finished with a 6-6 record, and 4-5 in their first year in the Big Ten, tied for ninth in the conference.
Overall Riley has accumulated a 25-14 record as head football coach of the USC Trojans.
Good, but not what $100m is supposed to get you.
That is why there are now murmurs of Riley being contacted by other programs.
Riley’s previous stint at Oklahoma, was much more successful, where he finished with a 55-10 record over his five seasons.
He made the playoffs twice as head coach of the Sooners and also coached two Heisman-winning quarterbacks (and first overall picks), in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.
There’s no doubt Riley is an offensive mastermind when he has the right guy behind center.
This year, the Trojans struggled to find consistent quarterback play, which ultimately led to their undoing.
It’s up to Riley to turn this once proud program around and back into the national spotlight.
There’s no reason, schools such as UCF, should be reaching out to inquire about Riley’s availability.
It’s a bad look. Quite frankly, it’s an embarrassing look.
