Rumors swirl around the USC football program this season. That is because Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley is on the hot seat there, according to most analysts. Riley is now being mentioned as a possible candidate for the Baylor head coaching opening.
According to a new report, Riley is actually not the favorite though to land the Baylor gig.
“Sources have continued to indicate that head coaching experience will be valued in this search. As On3’s initial hot board outlined, the name sitting at the top of the list that checks every box is UTSA’s Jeff Traylor,” On3 reported.
Baylor is looking for a new head coach, after firing Dave Aranda. Aranda had struggled in recent years, after winning the Big 12 title in 2021. The Bears are reported to be looking at other coaches too.
“The other name sitting near the top of the list is Texas State’s GJ Kinne. The son of former Baylor linebacker Gary Joe, Kinne was a quarterback at Tulsa before joining the coaching ranks,” On3 added.
Riley's name is getting mentioned for the job, though. The USC head coach has struggled to win at a high level in southern California. He also used to coach in the Big 12, at Oklahoma.
Article Continues Below“Now in his fifth season at USC without a single CFP appearance, his future in Los Angeles is starting to come under pressure. Would he entertain a return to Texas? The Muleshoe, Texas native played quarterback at Texas Tech and got his start in coaching with the Red Raiders,” the outlet reported.
This season, Baylor is 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12. Aranda was fired after his Bears team lost a game recently to Kansas.