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Urban Meyer pushes back on rumor suggesting Lincoln Riley could split with USC

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs9 hours agogrant_grubbs_
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© Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images | © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Josh Pate turned heads earlier this week when he sparked speculation about head coach Lincoln Riley‘s future at USC during an appearance on Bussin’ With The Boys. On Friday, former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer weighed in on the idea of Riley leaving USC.

“That’s one of the places I don’t understand, Colin. That’s got everything,” Meyer said during an appearance on The Herd. “There’s some places that are hard. I don’t think USC’s hard. My entire career, I recruited out in California. It all comes down to recruiting base, tradition, and you have everything.

“I understand you have plenty of resources in the NIL and they’ve got an excellent coach in Lincoln Riley. I expect Lincoln Riley, when you see the recruiting rankings, what they’ve done recently, I see him not going anywhere and they’re going to have a nice run here coming up in the next couple years. …I refuse to believe that, Colin. I really do. I think he stays and I think they go on a great run.”

Riley has had a tumultuous couple of years at USC. In his debut campaign with the program in 2022, he guided the team to an 11-3 overall record and a Pac-12 championship game appearance.

However, the Trojans’ record has worsened each ensuing season since then. Most recently, USC finished with a 7-5 record last season. In fairness, the Trojans have bounce back this year and are currently 6-2.

Nonetheless, Lincoln Riley and Co. aren’t expected to appear in the College Football Playoff. It’s been a painful drought for Riley, who led Oklahoma to the CFP every season from 2017-19.

With Iowa and Oregon still ahead on their schedule, the Trojans’ CFP dreams aren’t completely out of reach, but the team is skating on thin ice. If Riley does want out at USC, there are plenty of opening across the collegiate landscape.

As of this report, there are nine head coach openings at Power Four programs. Most notably, LSU, Auburn, Florida and Penn State are each searching for a new head coach. Riley has never coached in the SEC, but could be a candidate for one or more of the jobs, if interested.

For now, USC must focus on the task at-hand. On Saturday, the Trojans will square off against Northwestern at 6 p.m. PT inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The game will air live on FOX.