
State of USC’s football program: Overhaul complete. Now comes the ‘critical’ stage
LA TimesEvery aspect of Lincoln Riley’s football program, every plan, every decision, every note from every season he’s spent as a head coach is accessible from an iPad that he has at the ready. “Year 1 here,” Riley said this week, “I had over 600.” Riley spent some time poring through those notes since USC’s Cotton Bowl loss, assessing from every angle how far the team had come in his first year. “When you take over something new that also requires a complete overhaul, it’s amazing how much there is to do in the first year,” Riley said. Every little thing has to be changed and answered for.” The changes that were made helped spur a stunning turnaround as USC went from 4-8 to winning 11 games in Riley’s first season. But at times, Riley explained, the season felt like “a race you can’t ever get ahead in.” Year 2 shouldn’t require so much catching up.
History of this topic

USC’s new GM convinced Trojans are ‘sleeping giant’ of college football
LA Times
Q&A: USC AD Jennifer Cohen confident investments in football will help Lincoln Riley win
LA Times
USC coach Lincoln Riley touts new hires who are overhauling recruiting and NIL funding
LA Times
Lincoln Riley attributes departures to USC’s pro-style formula dictating NIL offers
LA Times
Lincoln Riley has imprisoned USC in a cycle of mediocrity
LA Times
USC goes cold at the goal line, falling to Washington in another road loss
LA Times
His defiance gone, Lincoln Riley struggles to explain USC’s latest devastating loss
LA Times
After another close loss and a 3-3 start, USC simply needs more from Lincoln Riley
New York Times
It’s already do or die: What to watch when USC plays host to Penn State
LA Times
Lincoln Riley still thinks USC can be ‘a really good team’ despite loss to Minnesota
LA Times
Lincoln Riley confident USC offensive line can be ‘damn good’ despite Michigan loss
LA Times
Lincoln Riley isn’t too bothered that Michigan has switched quarterbacks
LA Times
Lincoln Riley can start CFP dreaming now that USC has a defense
LA Times
USC football training camp: What we learned during the second week
New York Times
USC defense commits to bulking up and helping build Trojans’ new scheme
LA Times
Lincoln Riley brushes off criticism, insists USC is still a power at Big Ten media days
LA Times
USC football opens spring practice: 10 thoughts on Lincoln Riley and the Trojans
New York Times
Lincoln Riley has a new outlook as USC opens spring practice
LA Times
Lincoln Riley praises recruiting class featuring ‘large human beings’ to bolster USC
LA Times
What went wrong for Lincoln Riley and USC in 2023? ‘Something’s really off there’
New York Times
For Chip Kelly and Lincoln Riley, what are the stakes heading into UCLA-USC game?
LA Times
Lincoln Riley’s past taught him to be patient while rebuilding USC football program
LA Times
USC vs. Oregon takeaways: Hope vanishes with injuries and mistakes
LA Times
USC’s lack of progress on defense compelled Lincoln Riley to fire coordinator Alex Grinch
Associated Press
Letters to Sports: Lincoln Riley and USC continue to disappoint
LA Times
USC coach Lincoln Riley misses consecutive practices because of undisclosed illness
LA Times
USC vs. Utah takeaways: Lincoln Riley and the Trojans are feeling the heat
LA Times
Lincoln Riley is failing USC instead of restoring its greatness
LA Times
With heartbreaking, last-second loss, USC falls to 0-3 vs. Utah in Lincoln Riley era
LA Times
USC recruiting reset: How can Lincoln Riley and the Trojans close strong in 2024 cycle?
New York Times
Commentary: USC fans better get ready for a lengthy Lincoln Riley rebuilding project
LA Times
‘I don’t want to have regrets.’ USC’s Lincoln Riley tries to balance family and football
LA Times
Another inconsistent defense threatens to ground No. 9 USC’s loftiest ambitions
Associated Press
What’s wrong with USC’s defense? Is it the same story or are there new issues?
LA Times
USC football keeps winning, but Trojans will need more vs. top Pac-12 teams
New York Times
Is No. 5 USC as strong as its record? Three good and three bad trends for the Trojans
LA Times
In this Pac-12, a USC playoff run would require true greatness
LA Times
Letters to Sports: The Grinch that stole USC’s defense
LA Times
USC lands commitment from quarterback Julian Lewis, the nation’s top 2026 recruit
LA Times
Why USC football will sweep through its regular season
LA Times
Five questions facing USC entering preseason football camp
LA Times
Commentary: In Year 2 under Lincoln Riley, USC will make its first College Football Playoff
LA Times
Dear Andy: Lincoln Riley can do these 2 things to help USC’s defense
New York Times
USC coach Lincoln Riley: ‘We’re excited about where we’re headed defensively’
LA Times
USC spring practice: Lincoln Riley recaps roster movement, defense and more
New York Times
USC Trojans football spring practice: 6 thoughts on the Trojans
New York Times
USC football: 10 thoughts from Lincoln Riley’s state of the program discussion
New York Times
USC coach Lincoln Riley defends keeping Alex Grinch and outlines plans for Year 2
LA Times
Morales: Lincoln Riley doubling down on Alex Grinch — a gamble USC desperately needs to win
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