Lincoln Riley responds to coaching search rumors
The coaching carousel made something of a stop at USC this week as college football personality Josh Pate, appearing on an episode of “Bussin’ with the Boys,” threw Lincoln Riley’s name into the mix as a coach to watch that could be on the move this offseason.
“All right, you ready?” Pate asked. “Let’s just keep an eye on Lincoln Riley at USC.”
After USC’s win against the Northwestern Wildcats on Friday night, Riley was asked about the rumor. Riley initially said he’d been “underwater the last five days” as he’s dealt with the short turnaround time from a Saturday road game to a Friday home game. He was told his name had been brought up in coaching search discussion.
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“You guys know what I sacrificed to come here,” Riley said. “I’m where I need to be.”
Riley’s name came up in coaching search discussions last season as well, with UCF as a program that had reportedly contacted him.
“I tell them I’m a USC Trojan,” Riley said. “I’m at the place I want to be.”
Riley’s Trojans moved to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the Big Ten Conference with the win against Northwestern. USC has three huge games remaining this year, starting with a home game next weekend against No. 20 Iowa. The Trojans then visit No. 9 Oregon before a rivalry game at home against UCLA to end the regular season.
