Chip Kelly on USC suspending reporter: I didn't know you can do that

Much has been made of the two-week credential ban of Orange County Register beat reporter Luca Evan from the USC football program with most opinions varying.

UCLA head coach Chip Kelly was unaware of the controversial brouhaha going on across LA, but was baffled at the prospect that a team could do something like that to a member of the media.

Trojans coach Lincoln Riley has apparently taken exception with a story published by Evan on Thursday, which, by the headline, seems like a positive story about freshman running back Quinten Joyner‘s strong start to the season but made reference to a conversation between players — not media — shortly before taking the podium during weekly availability.

This morning, #UCLA head coach Chip Kelly was asked about the situation at USC, with Lincoln Riley issuing a 2-week suspension to SCNG reporter Luca Evans for what the program considered violations of its media policy: pic.twitter.com/OKcJrQ1pof

— Tracy McDannald 📎 (@Tracy_McDannald) September 20, 2023

“Can someone do that?” Kelly asked. “… I’ve never heard of that before and I’m never one to comment on someone else’s policies. I didn’t even know you could do that — I don’t even think we have policies on that.

“Part of it, for us [inside the program], we don’t pay attention to what’s being written. Maybe some individuals, but I don’t. I wouldn’t be able to tell you if I disagreed with something somebody wrote. I think maybe when I was younger, but now we like to preach that we’re the best prepared and the least distracted. Following things like that, I think you’re going down a rabbit hole.”

There’s a 19-year age gap between Kelly and Riley, so it seems the two cross-town coaches have different priorities when it comes to protecting their team and players.

The Register has since responded to the revoked credential

Todd Harmonson, a senior editor for the Register, strongly disagreed with the suspension.

“This is a huge overreaction to what the USC program perceived to be a policy violation. We clearly disagree and stand fully behind Luca,” Harmonson said.

USC has apparently raised previous issues with Southern California News Group — the company that owns the Register — about Evans, including that he asked a question right after a press conference concluded and talked to players and coaches on campus outside of designated media availabilities. The exact instances of these alleged violations of the policy were not spelled out in the Register story announcing the suspension.

The SCNG and Register appealed the decision to USC athletic director Jen Cohen and university president Carol Folt. The appeal was denied.

“As an institution, USC prides itself on treating the media as a respected partner and key constituent. We understand the responsibility of reporters is to fairly and objectively cover stories, news events, and their respective beats. As you know, our media policies exist to protect our student-athletes and promote a culture of trust that is critical to building successful programs. After careful consideration and in alignment with the sentiment above, USC supports the football program’s decision regarding Luca’s two-week suspension. We recognize this may be disappointing, but we hope you can understand the need to enforce our media policies as we strive to create a positive and comfortable environment for our players and coaches,” Cohen wrote, denying the appeal.

Evans will continue to cover the beat for the Register absent direct access for the two weeks, the SCNG said.

On3’s Andrew Graham contributed to this report.