Lincoln Riley explains decision to leave Oklahoma for USC

New USC head coach Lincoln Riley joined ESPN’s College GameDay on New Year’s Day to discuss his controversial Oklahoma departure and the fallout from it. With an opportunity to clear the air, he spoke about his connection to the Oklahoma community and the chance of a lifetime he could not pass up.

“I don’t know that I can even describe how hard it was,” Riley explained. “But, executing it was hard. The people there that you love, the relationships, all the great memories. That was the hard part. But this was the right thing for my family, for me professionally. It was just the right place at the right time. I really had no hesitation about that part of it. 

“Again, I feel like what this could be is — I think we’re very uniquely positioned right now with all of the changes in college football and as you look ahead – I felt like this was too good to pass up.”

Lincoln Riley on USC turnaround

Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma for the new challenge of turning around the USC Trojans. Many before him have tried and failed, but Riley believes he can get the job done — and get it done quicker than you might imagine.

Last month on Breaking the Huddle with Joel Klatt, Riley was asked how soon he can make USC a contender.

“I think it can happen quickly. That’s my confidence in this place, and the staff that we’re bringing in,” stated Riley. “A lot of these recruits and potential players are going to see what me and my family saw. They’re going to see the potential.

“Everybody knows the logo, everyone knows the history. But they’re going to see the current investment. They’re going to see that USC is going all in on this football program. And I think when they see that, then they start to see the vision of what this can be — I think we’re going to have a lot of people that want to come play ball here. This staff has a track record of success, being able to compete consistently at a high level .. it’s going to be a great combination. I can’t wait to get started.”

USC brought Lincoln Riley in to change the culture. Evidently, Riley hit the ground running — he has no reservations about the timeline of turning the Trojans around. He believes he’s the guy to do it, and do it in the immediate future.