Lincoln Riley was supposed to be the savior of USC football—the golden boy who’d turn the Trojans into a powerhouse overnight. Back when he rocked a 55-10 record in Oklahoma, every program wanted him, every player dreamed of running his schemes, and every fanbase drooled at the thought of him calling their shots. So, when Riley packed his bags for sunny Southern California in November 2021, it felt like the second coming for USC. His first season? Not bad—11-3 with Caleb Williams slinging it. With Caleb’ gone. But fast forward to now? A dismal 6-6 season, a roster crumbling like stale bread, and Riley’s coaching rep taking haymakers left and right.

Let’s talk about this free fall for a second. In Riley’s second season at USC, he dipped to 8-5—respectable but definitely not headline-worthy. Then came 2024, a year that turned out to be every Trojan fan’s worst nightmare. A 6-6 record is bad enough, but throw in the fact that over 19 players hit the transfer portal (including some serious five-star studs), and you’ve got a program hanging on by a thread. Zachariah Branch, a former No. 1 wideout, gone! His brother Zion? Gone! Duce Robinson, and Elijah Hughes? Yep, all out the door! The guy can recruit, sure, but apparently, keeping those blue-chip prospects around is another story.

Now, the transfer portal era ain’t for the faint of heart. Players no longer have to sit out when they transfer, so it’s like free agency out here. Loyalty? That’s old-school. This is the NIL era, baby, where cash talks and roster retention walk. On December 19th, USC insiders cornered Riley to ask how he felt about this transfer portal saga. His response? Equal parts resigned and drained. “I’ve learned not to carry much emotion with it,” Riley admitted. “These are business decisions on both sides… It’s becoming more of a business than it’s ever been.”

Look, he’s ain’t wrong. College football has turned into a revolving door of players chasing better opportunities, and sometimes, fatter NIL deals. But here’s the thing—most programs aren’t bleeding talent at the same rate USC is. Riley lost all four of his five-star recruits from the 2022 and 2023 classes. Read that again. All. Four. Zachariah Branch, Malachi Nelson, Duce Robinson, and Domani Jackson—gone like a bad Tinder match. If USC were an airport, it’d be nothing but one-way tickets outta town. But ain’t gonna lie. Switching up on Lincoln Riley is crazy.

Lincoln Riley’s downfall: Can he keep USC afloat?

It’s wild to think how quickly Riley’s stock has plummeted. Just two years ago, he was the hottest name in college football. Now? He’s the guy who can’t seem to stop the bleeding at USC. Losing 19 players in one offseason is a diabolical. And the worst part? Most of these exits aren’t backups looking for playing time—they’re starters and future NFL talent.

The issue isn’t just the portal; it’s the vibe in USC. Riley’s “business as usual” approach doesn’t inspire much confidence. Fans want to see fire, passion, and a plan to stop the hemorrhaging. Instead, we’re getting vague platitudes about staying “committed to the vision.” But what even is that vision anymore? A team that can’t win the BIG-10 or keep its best players? Trojans faithful are restless, and honestly, they should be.

USC is staring down the barrel of a critical moment, and Lincoln Riley is squarely in the hot seat. The transfer portal and NIL aren’t going away, but neither are the expectations of Trojan fans and boosters who’ve waited far too long for a return to glory. Riley might have been the golden boy at Oklahoma, but his time at USC has been more bronze at best. USC didn’t bring Riley in for mediocrity; they hired him to build a dynasty. The next season isn’t just about wins—it’s about survival. Time to prove if Lincoln Riley is still that guy or just another cautionary tale in college football lore.