Paul Finebaum is a prominent figure in the college football media scene, and he’s recently targeted USC head coach Lincoln Riley with sharp criticism.
After Big Ten Media Days, Finebaum appeared on ESPN’s *First Take* to share his strong opinions about Riley, describing him as a “disaster.”
“I think he has a lot to prove because, frankly, he’s been a disaster,” Finebaum remarked.
He continued, “Looking back three years, when the news broke that Oklahoma and Texas were joining the SEC, Lincoln Riley chose to leave. Instead of facing the challenges of the SEC, he opted for a supposedly easier path by moving to USC and bringing Caleb Williams with him. While the first year was promising, things have deteriorated since then.”
Riley’s initial success at USC included an 11-3 season and a Heisman Trophy win for Caleb Williams, but his 2023 season fell short with an 8-5 record. The defense was notably ineffective, and Williams didn’t advance as hoped.
Finebaum has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with Riley’s performance. “Last year was one of the worst coaching jobs I’ve ever seen,” Finebaum asserted. “If I were the athletic director, I might have fired Riley by now because he hasn’t demonstrated any improvement in defense despite multiple defensive coordinators. Things are going to be even tougher in the Big Ten, and with some top players leaving, he might find himself as an NFL assistant next year if he’s lucky.”
"I did say a lot of things about Lincoln Riley recently and I meant them. I don't think he's a great elite coach."
–@Finebaum on his criticism of Lincoln Riley pic.twitter.com/8ZdGxCrzVP
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) August 2, 2024
Finebaum reinforced his stance on the Dan Patrick Show, maintaining that he doesn’t consider Riley an elite coach. “I know he had success at Oklahoma, but he inherited a great team from Bob Stoops and managed to win Heismans with Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Caleb Williams. However, he hasn’t achieved a championship or even come close. Riley seems to ignore the importance of defense throughout his career.”
While Finebaum’s role is to provoke discussion and stir controversy, his critique raises valid points. Riley, being paid as an elite coach, needs to deliver exceptional results. The 2024 season is crucial for Riley as the scrutiny intensifies. Finebaum’s comments suggest the pressure is mounting, but Riley has the opportunity to silence his critics with a strong performance this fall.
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