LenDale White details early thoughts on new USC coach Lincoln Riley

Former USC Trojans running back LenDale White was a pivotal member of some of the greatest college football teams of all-time during his tenure with the program from 2003-2005. Alongside Trojans legends such as Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, White held his own and after three seasons, he even set the program record for career rushing touchdowns with 52.

Recently, the Trojans legend explained his assessment of USC’s new head football coach, Lincoln Riley, who came over from Oklahoma after leading the Sooners to multiple College Football Playoff berths during his tenure. It’s safe to say he’s excited to see what Riley’s offensive-minded schemes will bring to LA.

“The first thing that [I have been] really impressed with Lincoln Riley is the fact that he reached out to a former alumni and brought a lot of the older guys to get back into the program,” White said during a recent interview with Colin Cowherd. “So that was the first and foremost thing that was really respectful, but I’ve been watching Lincoln Riley since Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, so I know what he’s capable of doing.

“I’m excited to see where our offense can go. We’ve got Caleb [Williams] you know we got Mario [Williams] we got [Jordan] Addison, we got some you got [Travis] Dye from Oregon. We’ve got some some guys that are going to be able to make some splashes. With [Riley’s] offensive mind, I’m sure we will see USC teams that are going score 49-50 points [pre game] like we’re accustomed to.”

LenDale White’s lasting legacy at USC

Reggie Bush and LenDale White formed one of the greatest running back tandems in college football history during their time with the Trojans. The dynamic duo combined for 3,042 rushing yards and 40 rushing yards during the 2005 college football season.

White was an integral piece of the 2005-2006 Trojans’ team that squared off against the Texas Longhorns in the 2006 Rose Bowl (National Championship Game), but fell 41-38, in what is still considered one of the greatest college football games in the sports’ history. Once he wrapped up his career with the Trojans, White had rushed 541 times for 3,159 career rushing yards and 52 touchdowns on the ground. As a receiver, he hauled in 31 catches for 331 receiving yards, while bringing in five touchdowns through the air. 

While the Denver, Colorado native’s NFL career was short-lived, he still rushed for over 1,000 rushing yards and seven touchdowns with the Tennessee Titans in the 2007 season. In four years in the National Football League, White had 628 carries for 2,349 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on the ground.