Lincoln Riley is embarking on his third season as USC’s head coach, but the team has fallen short of the high expectations set after his departure from Oklahoma. During his five-year tenure at Oklahoma, Riley guided the Sooners to four conference championships and three appearances in the College Football Playoff.
However, his record at USC stands at 19-8 over two seasons, with a disappointing 8-5 finish in 2023. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum has raised concerns about Riley’s job security at USC, suggesting that Riley hastily left Oklahoma, which may have contributed to his struggles with the Trojans.
Finebaum stated on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning that Riley’s exit from Oklahoma was seen as him “tucking and running,” a move that has left a negative impression on Oklahoma fans and alumni. He highlighted Riley’s popularity and success at Oklahoma, including playoff appearances and Heisman Trophy winners under his leadership. Finebaum likened Riley’s departure to Dennis Franchione’s controversial exit from Alabama two decades ago, emphasizing the disappointment felt by Oklahoma fans.
Finebaum also pointed to Brent Venables’ successful season at Oklahoma following Riley’s departure, noting that Venables led the Sooners to 10 wins and a Top 15 ranking in the AP Poll. Finebaum expressed doubt about Riley’s future at USC, predicting a potential downfall that could be remembered as one of college football’s most significant failures.
Reflecting on Riley’s previous standing as one of the top coaches in the nation, Finebaum lamented what he viewed as a misguided career decision by Riley, which has potentially jeopardized his coaching legacy.
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