It’s no secret that Lincoln Riley is sitting uneasily in the hot seat at USC. Having signed a 10-year deal to join the program, his first season yielded an 11-3 record with the Trojans just missing out on College Football Playoff. However, performances and results have nose-dived over the last season and a half as they sit with an unimpressive 6-6 record. There have even been calls for Riley to be let go despite his massive buyout and the coach has also been linked with a head-coaching role elsewhere.

This raises the question of whether USC should start looking at options in case they decide to make the big call for Riley. Last season, the team went 8-5 in its final season in the Pac-12 and this season’s upset losses against Minnesota and Maryland, have led to questions about Riley’s coaching ability. Amid calls for his firing, a new name emerged as a candidate to replace Riley.

On December 8, Super Bowl XXXVII champion and former Trojan Keyshawn Johnson didn’t shy away from the spotlight on his YouTube show.  On the show named, All Facts No Brakes With Keyshawn Johnson, a fan asked him, “If USC offers you the head coaching job today, would you take it?” Johnson was quick and blunt in his answer.

He said, “No, I would not take the head coaching job at USC. I have no interest at all in coaching. I wouldn’t do it…would never do it. It’s too much. It’s too much stress.” Well, he didn’t let any doubts linger about whether or not he would consider the role. But then the $20 million worth NFL legend talked about the possibility of him becoming a coach and how he would operate.

“If I were to do it,” he mused, “I’d have a good staff. The best staff. It‘s simple. They make it more difficult than what it is. Coaches want you to believe that they’re the smartest people in the room they’re geniuses it’s not that hard and complicated it’s really not. You hire the right f*****g people and you recruit the right players. I’m not going to Texas to recruit, unless you like that guy. I can find that same guy in LA.” 

Well, it appears he may not have completely shut the door on coaching in the future and we also got a glimpse of how his coaching and recruiting methods would work. But his turning up on the training field at USC doesn’t seem likely for now despite Riley’s struggles.

Riley was expected to take USC back to its glory years, but so far there is little evidence to suggest that he is on the right track to achieve that. This season has been Riley’s worst year as a head coach. With six losses, he has struggled to convince the fans and critics that he is the right man for the job, having previously never lost more than five games in a year.

The Trojans are bowl-eligible, but it has been far from the season everyone expected and the pitchforks are coming out with calls for his release. These voices were amplified when ESPN’s outspoken analyst Paul Finebaum one of his vocal critics.

Speaking on the “Dan Patrick Show” on the final week of the 2024 regular season, he questioned why Riley is still in the HC role at USC.

“Would someone in California explain to me why Lincoln Riley, as of almost noon, is still the head coach of (USC)?. What has he done? He had the one season with Caleb Williams. Last year I thought that was a disaster, but then again, I forgot about this season,” Finebaum said.

Talking about his idea of USC firing Riley, he added, “I think it’s legitimate because USC is one of the golden names in college football and now it’s become a laughing stock.” Though there hasn’t been any report from USC on whether they are thinking of replacing Riley, he did receive interest from UCF, who saw Guz Malzahn leave to become Florida State’s OC. Riley, however, made it clear that he intends to stay on at USC.

“I tell them I’m a USC Trojan. I’m at the place I want to be. I’m home,” Riley said, dismissing the idea of him coaching elsewhere. Even if USC wanted to part ways with Riley it won’t be easy. According to 247sports, the head coach has a buyout of a reported $88 million, which means he would likely stay on for the 2025 season.

Moreover, the program would be eager to give him a chance to prove himself next season given that they will have the No. 17 recruiting class in the nation and No. 5 in the Big Ten, per the On3 industry rankings. Yet, if no progress is made, we could see USC taking the decision to part ways with Riley and in that case, would Keyshawn Johnson consider the role and what would he bring to the program?

Would Keyshawn Johnson be a good fit for USC?

Let’s break it down. Keyshawn Johnson isn’t just a Trojan alum—he’s literally USC royalty. During his college days in the mid-90s, the man was diabolically unstoppable. Over two seasons, Johnson racked up over 2,300 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns, and a spot in USC’s history books. He led the Trojans to a Cotton Bowl Classic win in ‘95 and bagged MVP honors. If there’s anyone who knows the legacy and pressure of USC football, it’s Keyshawn.

But does that mean he’d thrive as a coach? While his football IQ and charisma are undeniable, a coaching job simply ain’t just X’s and O’s. It’s long hours, recruiting battles, and managing egos. Keyshawn’s leadership and ability to connect with players could spark something special at USC, but it’s no guarantee he’d stick around for the grind. One thing’s certain: he’d bring swagger, fresh ideas, and that SoCal energy—qualities Riley’s program desperately lacks.

The Trojans are at a crossroads, and their fans want a savior. Whether Keyshawn Johnson is the answer remains up for debate, but his passion for USC is clear. He may have shut down the rumors, but his vision for rebuilding a program sounds refreshing. He would bring the fire back to L.A., and maybe, just maybe, it’s exactly what USC needs.