From 2002 to 2006, there was not a hotter team in the country than USC. Legendary names instantly come to mind: Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, LenDale White, Steve Smith, Dwayne Jarrett, and Matt Cassel—along with legendary head coach Pete Carroll.
Since Carroll’s departure in 2009, however, the Trojans have lost their way. They have cycled through multiple head coaches (one infamously fired on an airport tarmac) and haven’t churned out elite talent at their historic rate. They’ve missed out on playoff appearances and suffered through uncommon recruiting lulls.
And today, if certain critical areas don’t improve quickly, there’s a real fear the Trojans will end up right back at square one.
The Lincoln Riley Era So Far
Lincoln Riley was hired away from Oklahoma back in 2021. At the time, many speculated his move to Los Angeles was driven by Oklahoma’s impending leap to the SEC—a stark contrast to the former Pac-12. Knowing the path to victory was easier in California—and with top-notch Southern California weather—why turn that opportunity down?
As obvious as the choice seemed for Coach Riley, he has yet to make the massive splash Trojan fans were hoping for. Still, even under high expectations, he knew what he was signing up for.
Don’t throw in the towel just yet, Trojan fans. Riley still has a plan. Coming from the Mike Leach coaching tree and serving as a key assistant under Bob Stoops, the man unquestionably knows his X’s and O’s.
3 Critical Key Areas for Improvement
If this season is going to be different for Lincoln Riley and USC, these key areas must improve:
- Winning on the Road: Three of the Trojans’ four road games last season ended in defeat, ultimately costing them a playoff berth. On Saturday, October 10th, the Trojans head to Happy Valley to face a Penn State squad led by head coach Matt Campbell. Penn State would love nothing more than to play spoiler against a playoff-caliber team like USC.
- Defense: Gary Patterson—yes, the very same Gary Patterson who coached TCU for what felt like an eternity—is USC’s defensive coordinator. His experience will be vital for a unit that allowed over 30 points per game in their four losses last season. Patterson’s signature 4-2-5 scheme relies on a four-man rush and drops seven defenders into coverage. This split-field system should bring much-needed stability to that side of the ball.
- Recruiting: The 2026 class is without a doubt Riley’s strongest group yet at USC. The class is headlined by five-star prospect Elbert Hill, rated the top cornerback in the country. The 5’11” defensive back hits hard and boasts NFL-caliber speed, making him an immediate impact addition for Gary Patterson’s secondary.
This highlight video showcases 5-star corner Elbert Hill’s playmaking skills, providing a great visual for the recruiting section of your article.
The Path Forward in 2026
The first four weeks of the schedule look manageable, but once Oregon comes to town on September 26th, the gauntlet truly begins.
Coach Riley will need veteran quarterback Jayden Maiava on his A-game. The junior threw for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdowns while posting an impressive 89.9 QBR last season. Maiava was easily one of the most underrated signal-callers in the country, but he has grown into a fine quarterback. If he can sharpen his in-game decision-making, he has all the tools to lead this team to the promised land.
USC is a program built on winning tradition—boasting 11 National Championships and 8 Heisman Trophy winners. If Lincoln Riley wants to join that legendary club, this is the year he must establish that legacy. He has the talent, the assistant coaches, and a passionate fan base. What he lacks is a championship ring in Los Angeles—and if he wants one, it’s now or never.
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