Lincoln Riley Dismisses USC Exit Talk as Pressure Grows: 'I Believe in This Place'

Lincoln Riley is pushing back on speculation about his future at USC as scrutiny of the fifth-year coach intensifies. Speaking ahead of a major home game, Riley said he remains fully committed to the Trojans.

USC is 6-2 after a poor loss to Wisconsin, and its College Football Playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. The schedule offers no relief, since No. 2 Ohio State visits Los Angeles this weekend. Another loss to a backup quarterback in Big Ten play would make Riley's situation more uncomfortable.

Questions about his long-term plans have grown because three Power Four coaching jobs are already open, with more expected over the next month. Riley addressed the topic directly and stressed that he walked away from another major program to take the USC job.

"I love it here," Riley said. "I've told you guys many times. There's not many people in college football history who gave up what I gave up to come here. I don't care if it's 15 years down the line. That should never be taken lightly, and it's not taken lightly by me. I came here because this is where I wanted to be. I came here because I believe in this place, and none of that has changed whatsoever."

His reference to the past is understandable. At Oklahoma, Riley had a strong setup, made the College Football Playoff regularly and had the resources to compete with the sport's top programs. Still, a pitch built on what he left behind may not land with fans who see a Trojans team with no ranked wins this season. Its two losses came against an Oregon team that has struggled and an unranked Wisconsin.

Asked about the pressure of coaching a blue-blood program, Riley said he could not recall the last time he led a team without high expectations. He cited his first season at Oklahoma as proof that opinion can turn quickly. "The first loss I had at Oklahoma, I didn't think I was gonna be able to get out of bed the next morning," he said, adding that some people tried to run him out of town right away. "I learned a lesson pretty quick that the highs and lows of this thing, if you let those get to you, then you're not the right person for the job."

Results at USC have not matched the early promise. Riley won 11 games in his first year on the job but has not reached double-digit wins since, and the program has not come close to the College Football Playoff. He has nonetheless been given a fair amount of patience at a school with a long history of winning.

The noise is also fueled by the fact that athletic director Jennifer Cohen did not hire him. Riley called their relationship "fantastic" and credited her with strong support of the football program. "She's a tremendous AD," he said. "Even though she's not the AD I came here with, and I'm not the coach she hired, we have a fantastic relationship. She's been a huge part of all the progress we've made and has been incredibly supportive."

The Ohio State game gives Riley a chance to quiet critics. A win over the second-ranked Buckeyes would widen USC's playoff path and give him a signature victory he badly needs. Another miss in a big game, though, would likely bring more questions like these at his next news conference.