Nobody may have seen this coming.
When USC lured Lincoln Riley away from Oklahoma three years in the past, the Trojans had visions of nationwide championships, convention championships, west coast dominance, elite recruiting, and an increase again to nationwide prominence.
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That is why they signed Riley to ten-year deal that was reportedly value greater than $100million.
In accordance with USA Right now, Riley had the fourth highest wage in the course of the 2024 season at a bit over $10m, behind solely the likes of Georgia’s Kirby sensible, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney and Texas’ Steve Sarkisian.
Quick ahead to at this time, and the Athletic has reported that UCF, a middling Huge 12 program, has reached out to Riley’s representatives about his availability and potential curiosity in turning into their subsequent head coach.
In fact Riley, is not going to swap his USC hat for a UCF one, he stated as a lot.
“I am a USC Trojan,” Riley stated when requested about being linked to different jobs.
“That is the one place I wish to be.”
The truth that Riley is even being requested about different jobs is alarming, and exhibits the shortcomings of his time on the College of Southern California.
He went 11-3 in his first 12 months on the helm, led by Heisman-winning quarterback, and future primary general choose, Caleb Williams.
They reached the Pac-12 championship, however fell to Utah, closing the door on their playoff hopes.
A 12 months later Riley and Williams scuttled to a disappointing 8-5 mark, good for a fourth place end within the Pac-12.
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This season, it feels just like the rug has been pulled from underneath Riley.
With Williams now a Chicago Bear, the Trojans completed with a 6-6 report, and 4-5 of their first 12 months within the Huge Ten, tied for ninth within the convention.
General Riley has amassed a 25-14 report as head soccer coach of the USC Trojans.
Good, however not what $100m is meant to get you.
That’s the reason there at the moment are murmurs of Riley being contacted by different applications.
Riley’s earlier stint at Oklahoma, was far more profitable, the place he completed with a 55-10 report over his 5 seasons.
He made the playoffs twice as head coach of the Sooners and likewise coached two Heisman-winning quarterbacks (and first general picks), in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.
There is no doubt Riley is an offensive mastermind when he has the fitting man behind middle.
This 12 months, the Trojans struggled to search out constant quarterback play, which finally led to their undoing.
It is as much as Riley to show this as soon as proud program round and again into the nationwide highlight.
There is no motive, colleges equivalent to UCF, needs to be reaching out to inquire about Riley’s availability.
It is a dangerous look. Fairly frankly, it is an embarrassing look.