Lincoln Riley addresses revocation of reporter's media credentials

USC made headlines today when it came to light that the program had temporarily revoked the media credentials of Orange County Register beat reporter Luca Evans for two weeks for violating team policies.

One of the policies in question, according to the Register, was quoting players who were having a conversation shortly before talking to the media. According to USC’s media policy, only conversations explicitly designated as media opportunities are allowed to be reported on.

On Tuesday at practice, head coach Lincoln Riley stood behind the decision to temporarily revoke access for Evans, stating there were more than one of the team’s media policies broken. But Riley did not elaborate on the policies broken when asked specifically.

“Well there was more than one,” he said. “The media here has been great partners in my two years here, have enjoyed working with the media thoroughly. I don’t feel like we have too many rules, too many policies. But the ones that we do have we take them serious, because my first job is not, even though it is part of my job, it’s not to the media, it’s not to the fans, it’s not to anybody else. It’s to protecting our players. That is first and foremost, that will always be priority No. 1.”

Riley’s decision to revoke media credentials drew immediate criticism from many corners of the Internet, but most closely from Todd Harmonson, a senior editor for the Register, who disagreed with the decision.

“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.

However, with Riley standing behind the decision, Evans’ suspension will run until Sept. 28. He will be able to cover the program still, but without the benefit of media credentials, which afford access.

Typically that media access at most schools includes pre- and post-game interviews with players and coaches about the latest goings on, as well as designated practice viewing periods.

Evans will not be able to partake.

“There was enough there, I know the article in question was not accurate,” Riley said. “There were multiple policies broken and felt like it was far enough that we needed to act. I look forward to welcoming back the reporter in question once that time’s up.”

Riley was pointedly asked which other policies were broken, other than the conversation quoted by Evans.

“Like I said, there were multiple that were broken, but I’m not going to get into specifics,” Riley said.