Lincoln Riley Explains Why USC Doesn't Have a Dedicated Special Teams Coach
Statistically, USC’s special teams have not been good this season. Those units definitely haven’t single-handedly cost the Trojans a game, as it looked like they might have early in the year. But they’ve been far from standout.
USC ranks No. 87 in the nation in both kickoff returns and kickoff return defense. The Trojans are tied for No. 108 in punt returns. USC is No. 121 in punt return defense (though opponents have returned just four punts this season). Kicker Denis Lynch is 9-for-13 on field goals this season and punter Aadyn Sleep-Dalton is averaging 40.2 yards per punt.
The Trojans have also been flagged seven times for 73 yards on special teams.
It gets plenty of attention because USC does not have a dedicated, on-field special teams coach. Ryan Dougherty is a Senior Special Team Analyst and Assistant Special Teams Coordinator. But as an analyst, he’s unable to communicate with USC’s specialists on the field. Riley also has position coaches dedicated to coaching and coordinating each phase of special teams.
And unless NCAA rules change regarding the number of on-field coaches (currently limited to 11, including the head coach), that’s the way it will stay under Riley.
“I don’t believe in a singular special teams coordinator,” Riley said. “Not with the current limits on staff.”
USC players spoke at length during fall camp about how they appreciated the different voices they were able to hear during special teams meetings.
“I’ve just never believed in one coach who’s doing something for two periods of practice a day, and what’s he doing the rest of the time?” Riley said. “Versus, let’s have guys that are coaching guys all the time, everywhere…There’s plenty of success stories on both sides. There’s just something that we very much believe in.”
Riley said Dougherty has been a big factor this season in terms of coordinating and helping game plan on special teams. Riley called him “one of the more valuable guys on our staff.”
The one thing that could get Riley to hire a full-time special teams coach is if the NCAA greatly expands the number of on-field assistant coaches, or drops the limit altogether. There was a thought that could happen heading into the 2022 season, but nothing appears imminent at this point.
“If we get to a point where these staff rules change and this thing becomes deregulated, that’ll be something we’ll have to go back and reevaluate,” Riley said of potentially bringing on board a special teams coach.
Special Teams Familiarity
Riley said part of the hiring process included an understanding of the various coaches’ history with special teams. Several USC coaches have been special teams coordinators in the past or worked heavily on that side of things.
“As we put together the staff, it was with that plan in mind,” Riley said. “It wasn’t, well let’s get all these guys in here and let’s figure out who can coach the kickoff team.”
Riley feels good about the way the responsibilities are assigned and how they are carried out.
Praise for the Specialists
USC replaced three specialists this season, with Lynch, Sleep-Dalton and long snapper Jac Casasante.
Casasante has been pretty much perfect this year stepping in for Damon Johnson. Sleep-Dalton has definitely shown improvement as the season has gone along (despite one rushed, poor punt against Arizona). He was a late addition to the roster. And was only cleared partway through fall camp when the Trojans couldn’t finalize the arrival of Atticus Bertrams as part of the 2022 class. And Lynch has been solid, though seemingly pushed behind his comfort zone with a 56-yard attempt in Tucson.
“I don’t know many teams that came in with three new starters at the main specialist positions that have performed like our guys have,” Riley said.
