Riley Says USC Is Where He Wants to Be

The Wisconsin defeat has intensified questions about Lincoln Riley’s future at USC. The Trojans fell 24-7 on October 24, leaving them 6-2 and facing a difficult path toward the College Football Playoff and the Big Ten title race if they lose again.

Speaking to reporters on October 27, Riley rejected speculation that he and athletic director Jen Cohen were at odds. He described their working relationship as strong and credited Cohen with supporting the program’s progress. Cohen joined USC in August 2023, after Riley’s first season with the team.

Riley also dismissed talk that he might pursue another coaching job, including the opening at Baylor. He said USC was the place he wanted to be and that he believed he was the right person to lead the program. Riley is still seeking his first playoff appearance with USC in his fifth season there.

The Trojans next host No. 2 Ohio State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 31. Riley said his attention was on that game. USC also has matchups with highly ranked Indiana and UCLA among its remaining games, while offensive lineman Elijah Paige voiced support for Riley and his leadership.

The loss to Wisconsin was USC’s second this season and knocked the team out of the Associated Press rankings. Riley’s future may depend in part on how the Trojans perform through a challenging finish.