CBS Sports’ Cody Nagel added his voice Tuesday to the growing chorus questioning USC head football coach Lincoln Riley.
In his 2025 Big Ten Coach Rankings, Nagel listed Riley 4th of 18.
Despite the generous ranking, Nagel didn’t hold back his criticism.
“The main reason for bringing [Riley] to Los Angeles was to return the Trojans to national championship contention,” Nagel wrote. “So far, that hasn't happened. While Riley has shown flashes of brilliance, the pressure is rising to deliver consistent winning seasons at USC and make a deep playoff run.”
One of those flashes of brilliance, Nagel noted, involved Caleb Williams in Riley’s first season with the Trojans. The current Chicago Bears starting quarterback won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 as a sophomore, the third athlete coached by Riley to receive the award. However, it’s not enough to overlook the Trojans’ lackluster performance since Riley took control.
The hopes were high for Riley upon his arrival to Los Angeles in 2022. As Nagel said, he was supposed to help bring USC back into national championship contention.
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Riley was fresh off five seasons coaching Oklahoma’s football program when he joined the Trojans’ staff. He led the Sooners to four straight SEC championships and appearances in the College Football Playoffs, posting a final season record of 11-2 (7-2). Things seemed bright in his first year in California, especially when USC finished the 2022 season at 11-3 (8-1 Pac-12).
But the Trojans dropped to fifth in the conference the following season (8-5, 5-4). Last year, Riley led USC to a 7-6 (4-5) record in the Trojans’ first year in the Big Ten Conference.
“Is Riley still riding the success he had at Oklahoma?” Nagel questioned. “He's yet to win a conference title in three seasons at USC and is just 15-11 over the past two years.”
USC’s 2025 schedule offers Riley an incredible opportunity to prove himself. The Trojans will avoid games with top Big Ten contenders Penn State and Ohio State, though Riley’s squad will host a tough competition against Michigan and face road challenges from Oregon and Notre Dame.