Greg McElroy grades Lincoln Riley an 'A' for first year at USC

Lincoln Riley experienced some very high highs in his first season in Los Angeles. He brought USC back to national prominence at 11-3 and, although the Trojans didn’t finish the job in their final two games, it didn’t stop Greg McElroy from giving Riley his flowers.

In a recent episode of ‘Always College Football’, McElroy graded Riley’s first-year performance in LA as an A. He recognizes the shortcomings that USC had in the postseason but, as a whole, he thinks Riley’s resume in 2022 stacks up with anyone considering the team and individual success.

“He gets an A. People say, ‘But what about the defense? He fell flat on the biggest stage? He almost went to the national semifinals and he didn’t do, couldn’t do it?’ Fair. But he inherited guys, he inherited a team that went 4-8,” McElroy said. “Let’s acknowledge from 4-8 to a Pac-12 Title Game berth? Within a win from getting into the College Football Playoff? And he led his quarterback to the Heisman Trophy yet again? He continues to cement, what has long been considered, the fact that he might be the best developer in and the best play caller for quarterbacks in the country. You play for Lincoln Riley? Guess what? You’re in the Heisman mix. That’s a pretty good situation to be in.”

Riley had quite the task this season considering the pressure following his departure from Oklahoma. He was under the bright lights of Hollywood and had to get USC back into contention. After hitting the portal hard, he did exactly that by coaching the Trojans through the regular season and Pac-12 slate to an 11-1 overall record.

Did Utah cost them a spot in the CFP in disturbing fashion in the Pac-12 Title Game? Yes. Did Tulane then embarrass USC with a 15-point comeback within the last five minutes of The Cotton Bowl? Absolutely. Still, to McElroy and to many, Riley exceeded expectations and set quite the foundation for what the Trojans can accomplish under him moving forward.

“He’s already established it in one year. He improved by seven wins over the previous year,” said McElroy. “Yes, it was disappointing in the final two games of the year. Yes, I hated the way they finished in the Cotton Bowl. Either way, if you’re going to give Lincoln Riley anything other than an A? Compared to what they were the year before? It’d be difficult for me to see eye to eye with you.