Paul Finebaum picks USC's Lincoln Riley as college football coach under the most pressure in 2025

Career offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Lincoln Riley emerged as one of college football’s elite once he was promoted to Oklahoma’s head coach in 2017. With Riley at the helm, the Sooners compiled a 55-10 (37-7) record, made trips to three consecutive College Football Playoffs (2017-2019) and boasted two Heisman-winning quarterbacks (Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray).

Near the end of his fifth season in Norman, however, it was announced prior to Oklahoma‘s 2021 Alamo Bowl matchup against Oregon that Riley would be heading west for the USC job. The program, which was once at the forefront of the college football landscape, had struggled immensely as of late. The Trojans posted a lowly 22-21 record in Clay Helton‘s final four seasons (2018-2021).

Great things were expected immediately from Riley at USC, but that just hasn’t been the case. Although quarterback Caleb Williams became the third arm to win the Heisman Trophy under Riley, the Trojans are just 26-14 (17-10) with one top-25 finish in his three seasons at the helm.

This is why ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum labeled Riley as the coach under the most pressure in 2025. He did so on Thursday morning’s edition of “Get Up.”

“Lincoln Riley,” Finebaum said in confidence. “And you asked the question, why? Because he has simply underperformed. He had a pretty decent first year, but since then, it has been very rocky. And quite frankly, I think he would already be gone if it wasn’t for about an $80 million buyout. Even for Southern Cal, that might be too much money.”

Promising season went south fast for USC in 2024

The 2025 season will mark the second for USC in the Big Ten conference following its jump from the sinking ship that was the Pac-12. Its 2024 campaign opened strong with a 27-20 win over No. 13 LSU in the Vegas Kickoff Classic, but it went just 4-5 in Big Ten play en route to an appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl.

This offseason, Riley promoted quarterbacks coach Luke Huard to offensive coordinator following the departure of Josh Henson to Purdue. USC also returns quarterback Jayden Maiava, who will replace Miller Moss (transferred to Louisville). Maiava passed for 1,201 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions in seven games last season.

Maiava shined in marquee games against Notre Dame and Texas A&M, passing for a combined 655 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. However good he ends up being will be instrumental for a successful season at USC.

The Trojans open the season against Missouri State on August 30. The game is set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kick.