Lincoln Riley addresses rumors he’ll leave USC: ‘I’m where I need to be’
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Lincoln Riley’s USC Trojans improved to 7-2 on the season Friday night, scoring a 38-17 win over a decent Northwestern squad. USC, though barely, is still alive for a spot in the College Football Playoff entering the toughest part of its schedule.
But among the questions asked to Riley Friday night, perhaps the most intriguing was aimed at the rumors that he’d be leaving USC for any of the numerous high-level job that have come available this season. However, Riley quickly shot down that notion:
“You guys know what I sacrificed to be here,” Riley said. “I’m where I need to be.”
Riley left Oklahoma to take the USC job following the firing of Clay Helton at the end of the 2021 season. He took eventual Heisman winner Caleb Williams with him and posted a strong season in 2022, winning 11 games with an appearance in the Cotton Bowl. Although his record has yet to reach that high set in 2022 at USC, Riley’s track record with quarterbacks (Williams, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray) makes him an attractive option for vacant jobs.
Obviously, there are several vacant jobs in the SEC. LSU, Florida, Arkansas and Auburn are all searching for a new head coach, and the season has yet to even come to a close. Elsewhere, Penn State, Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech highlight jobs that will vie for a top-tier head coach very soon.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
