Whether it’s disrespecting the Big 12, heavily criticizing Colorado, or attacking Clemson’s Dabo Swinney for his College Football Playoff take, longtime media personality Paul Finebaum has delivered his fair share of headline-worthy comments over the last couple of weeks. On Monday, he provided another, calling for USC head coach Lincoln Riley’s job. And on Wednesday, he doubled down on his stance.
Paul Finebaum Is Right To Criticize Lincoln Riley, But the USC Head Coach Shouldn’t Be Fired
When asked, “How much does Lincoln Riley have to prove at USC this year?” while on “First Take” to begin the week, Finebaum unloaded:
“I think he has an enormous amount to prove because, quite frankly, I think he’s been a disaster. Let’s go back three years: Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC. What did Lincoln Riley do? He ran away. … I thought last year was one of the worst coaching jobs I’ve ever seen.
“Quite frankly, had I been the athletic director at USC, I would’ve fired Lincoln Riley because he has yet to show, after many years as a head coach, he knows anything about defense — he’s gone through defensive coordinators; he just simply couldn’t handle it.
“And now things are going to be five times worse in the Big Ten. … This is a guy who owned LA for about half a minute, and next year at this time, I think he’ll more than likely be an assistant in the NFL — if he’s that lucky.”
That rant completed what has been a complete 180-degree heel turn for Finebaum regarding Riley. When it was announced that USC would make him its next head coach, Finebaum gushed over the move.
“I don’t think there is any disputing this is one of the best hirings in recent memory. Lincoln Riley has gone to the playoffs several times; he has produced great players, top picks, Heisman Trophy winners.
“And I do think this — I think he’ll win a national championship at USC, and I don’t know if there is anyone else out there that you can say that about. This is a fantastic hire, a home-run hire, as good as you can get.”
Although the Trojans haven’t won a national title in their two years under Riley, they’ve had success. In Clay Helton’s final four years at the helm, USC won just 22 games, culminating in a 4-8 campaign in 2021.
Since Riley landed in Southern California, the Trojans won 19 games, including an 11-3 first year, and have appeared in back-to-back bowl games, knocking off Louisville 42-28 in the Holiday Bowl last season.
Yet, even with time to rethink his position and hearing a strong defense from Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, Finebaum doubled down on Wednesday, saying, “We all are impressed by what he did at Oklahoma — we’ll give him a parade. But the bottom line is, he ran away from Oklahoma because he was afraid of being in the SEC.
“Last year, we saw a complete and total meltdown, a crash and burn of epic proportions. … They are in the Big Ten, and nobody is going to be talking about them. … I think they are going to run out of patience with him. … I think Lincoln Riley is done at USC.”
In 2021, the SEC kick-started the new conference realignment era, as the league’s presidents and chancellors voted unanimously to extend invitations to Oklahoma and Texas after the two programs approached them.
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Yet, Riley has consistently debunked the idea that he left the Sooners because they were joining the SEC. He even wrote an entire piece on his decision in The Players’ Tribune.
“As much as my family and I loved Norman and cherished the success we were having on the field, sometimes life throws you curveballs at the most unexpected times. Honestly, I always figured I would end my coaching career at OU. But when my agent called me to pass along interest from USC, I was immediately intrigued by the possibilities.
“Since my move, many have asked me why I would leave Oklahoma, and the best — and most honest — answer is that the opportunity at USC was simply the right job at the right time for me and for my family.
“We all have moments in life where we are faced with difficult choices, and this was the path my family and I chose. I don’t expect everyone to understand; in my line of work, that’s not possible.”
But none of that matters to Finebaum. He went on to say Oklahoma doesn’t “even claim Lincoln Riley anymore. You can’t find his name in Norman because they look at him as a coward and a loser.”
With Caleb Williams gone and several other starters also off to the NFL, out of eligibility, or on to new teams via the transfer portal, Riley has a difficult job ahead of him as USC joins the Big Ten. However, he’s brought in the staff to help him succeed, particularly on the side of the ball Finebaum has blasted him for defense.
Riley fired defensive coordinator Alex Grinch last November after the team allowed more than 28 points in eight games in 2023. To right the sinking ship, USC hired UCLA DC D’Anton Lynn in the same role, North Dakota State head coach Matt Entz as the linebackers coach, Houston DC/assistant HC Doug Belk as the defensive backs coach, and Los Angeles Rams defensive line/run game coordinator Eric Henderson as the co-DC.
“I also don’t hide from the fact that the defensive staff that we just brought in here, I think, is second to none, anywhere,” Riley said on The Pat McAfee Show this offseason.
“We started with a bunch of names on the board that we thought were the best coaches and best developers in football. And for some of these guys to leave the situations that they did to come coach for us here at USC speaks a lot to the trajectory that they see this program on and what it can become.”
What can we expect from the Trojans’ overhauled defensive unit? In Lynn’s first year ever as a DC, UCLA went from No. 87 (399.8) in the FBS in yards per game allowed to No. 11 (299.0). But the numbers don’t stop there.
The Bruins ranked No. 1 in rushing defense (69.6 YPG), No. 2 in yards per rush allowed (2.33), No. 3 in sacks per game (3.42), and No. 4 in tackles for loss (99). They only conceded multiple touchdowns in five games, holding nine opponents to 20 points or less all season.
KEEP READING: Riley’s Salary, Contract, Net Worth, and More
It may take some time for USC’s staff and players to gel completely, but the bar was set as low as possible. In 2023, the Trojans ranked T-123rd in PPG (34.9) and YPG (438.8), so the only way to go is up.
With strategic hires and an influx of talent, Riley’s revamped defense has the potential to make significant strides. If it does, he’ll have no issue silencing Finebaum’s relentless criticism and proving he’s still “one of the best hirings in recent memory.”
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