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As the college football season progresses and coaching changes begin to surface, USC coach Lincoln Riley's name has been mentioned in connection with potential openings. One such opening is at Baylor, which recently dismissed coach Dave Aranda, leading some insiders to speculate that the Bears might pursue Riley, a West Texas native. Additionally, Riley is navigating fan discontent following the Trojans' disappointing loss to Wisconsin on October 24, which has put USC's Big Ten title hopes in jeopardy.
During a press conference on October 27, Riley addressed the rumors head-on, explaining why he sees his future at USC and has no intention of pursuing other opportunities in the 2026 coaching landscape. "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," Riley said. "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."
Riley further emphasized his loyalty to the program. "Listen, if I didn't want to be at this place, I wouldn't have come here in the first place. If I didn't want to be at this place, I've had plenty of opportunities to leave. This is where I want to be," he added.
Key Analysis
Riley acknowledged that questions about his future are part of the job as the leader of the Trojans. "I understand the questions and understand the perspective from the outside," he said. "I try to give you guys, maybe sometimes, regardless of what you think about how I answer questions, how I really think and feel." He also reflected on the high expectations he has faced at every stop, including his time at Oklahoma. "Listen, the first loss that I ever had in Oklahoma, I didn't think I was able to get out of bed the next morning," Riley recalled. "But on top of that, there were people willing to run me out of town right away. And I learned the lesson that the highs and lows of this thing in my position, if you let those get to you, then you're the wrong person for the job."
Riley stressed the importance of remaining steady amid the pressures of leading a prestigious program like USC. "My job is to stay steady," he said, before reiterating that he does not plan to leave. He also spoke positively about his relationship with athletic director Jen Cohen, describing their partnership as "fantastic" despite the speculation surrounding his future.