USC football rumors: Big Ten rival floated as possible Lincoln Riley replacement if Trojans flop

USC started the season with a win over San Jose State. It was not an impressive game for the Trojans, as Lincoln Riley and the team have high expectations for 2026. If the Trojans do not live up to those expectations, Lincoln Riley could be on the hot seat.

If Lincoln Riley is let go at the end of the year, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic thinks a current rival Big Ten coach could be heading to USC, with Jedd Fisch leaving Washington to head south.

“He did an amazing job turning Arizona into a winner, taking over one of the most dismal power conference situations and getting the Wildcats to No. 11 in the country and a 10-win season in Year 3. At Washington, he followed Kalen DeBoer and had to replace almost every starter. Then, the AD who hired him left. Last season, Fisch led the Huskies to a 9-4 mark, but it wouldn’t surprise us if Fisch would be tempted to make a move out of Seattle. The Washington job isn’t close to the top of the Big Ten financially. If USC doesn’t win big in Lincoln Riley’s fifth season, Fisch might be an option there depending on how his team does in 2026. He has proven to be an outstanding talent evaluator and program manager based on what he built at Arizona and his rebuild in Seattle,” Feldman wrote.

If Fisch does take the USC job, then Washington will need a new coach. A former assistant at Washington, Ryan Grubb, could be a perfect fit.

“DeBoer’s longtime right-hand man had a spectacular run at Washington with Michael Penix Jr. Then, after a disappointing season with the Seahawks, Grubb reunited with DeBoer at Alabama. He did help Ty Simpson emerge as a first-round QB after one season. Now, the challenge is getting Bama back to being a national title contender with some additional physicality,” Feldman wrote. “The hire of Adrian Klemm as O-line coach should help a lot on that front. If Alabama can take a big step forward with young Keelon Russell at quarterback — utilizing more RPOs than we’ve seen the past few years — the 50-year-old Grubb will get consideration. One potential landing spot is at Washington if Fisch moves on. Athletic director Pat Chun is a big fan.”

The Trojans return to the field against Fresno State on September 4, hoping to have a bigger crowd at the Coliseum than USC had last time out.

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