Is Lincoln Riley in the hot seat? The USC coach came in guns blazing to the Trojans’ job in 2022 and finished with an 11-3 record. Although they were unable to win the Pac-12 title that year, the future looked promising. However, since then, things have gone south in Los Angeles. In 2023, they went 8-5 and in 2024, 7-6 in their first season in the Big Ten.
Now, fans and analysts are starting to wonder if Lincoln Riley can take the Trojans to the College Football Playoff. Fox Sports‘ Matt Leinart believes Lincoln Riley should be considered in the hot seat as he enters the 2025 season.
“I know Lincoln very well, and he is on the hot seat,” Leinart said, via The Escapist. “I think he would tell you that, because you have to win there, especially when you win 10 games or 11 games out of the gate. USC is flying under the radar. I don’t even know if they’re in the top 25 in one poll or both polls, which sometimes that’s a good place to be.”
However, Leinart pointed out that this isn’t as bad a spot to be in as one would expect.
“It doesn’t mean there’s less expectation, but it kind of means no one’s really talking about you,” Leinart added. “You can keep your nose to the ground, you can grind, and you can start letting your play do the talking. They have a team this year that can compete in the Big Ten.”
DJ Wingfield is unlikely to play in the 2025 season for the USC Trojans
DJ Wingfield didn’t get the result he was expecting for his waiver on NCAA eligibility extension. The former Purdue player transferred to USC during the offseason, after the Trojans lost offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon to Oregon through the transfer portal. The NCAA had initially denied Wingfield’s request for a waiver, but he took matters to the legal realm.
Unfortunately for him and USC, Judge James V. Selna in Los Angeles ruled against him on Monday. Now, less than two weeks from the start of the season, the Trojans are without a starting member of their offensive line.
USC HC Lincoln Riley Makes Feelings Very Clear On Former Rival Coach’s Move To Trojans
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