Lincoln Riley explains how 2022 losses could impact 2023 season: 'Last year was just the tip of the iceberg'

Head coach Lincoln Riley turned the USC football program around quickly, bringing the Trojans from 4-8 to 11-3. Still, those losses were very frustrating and Riley knows that USC has a long way to go before the Trojans can reach their full potential.

During an appearance on First Take, Riley explained what the three disappointing losses showed

“I think it showed some of the weaknesses that we had as a football team and areas that we still have to grow,” Lincoln Riley said. “And, as you said, you inherit kind of what we did. You’ve got some work to do. We were able to make some great strides, but as you said, Stephen, we’re certainly not anywhere close to where want to be or where we think this place can be.”

Lincoln Riley went on to explain that USC is making improvements to the team. Those losses are going to play a role in shaping this team and getting it to the places where it wants to go.

“Now, we’ve made some really strong improvements with the roster. Certainly, both the guys that are returning and several other players that are going to be a part of our football team that we think are going to help us continue to grow. Last year was just the tip of the iceberg,” Riley explained.

“This place, this program, is capable of so much more. And fun to see that we could get that close to it, have a chance just to taste it, and not quite there. And there’s a real extreme hunger and confidence with this group of players and within this program right now that we’re going to get over that hump, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Lincoln Riley on what’s coming next for the USC staff

Spring ball is coming to an end but that doesn’t mean that staff have any time to rest. The staff at USC is going to be busy, as Lincoln Riley explained.

“Next three months, well the guys are going to be getting out on the road recruiting starting next week. So, all the assistants will be out all over the country. This is a really great chance to get out and watch spring football, go see these coaches. This is a really important time, especially in just the evaluation side of it, not only for this coming up year but the future years,” Riley said.

“We’ll be hosting a lot of recruits on campus, be it the transfer portal or we’ll do the majority of our official visits for the upcoming year here through June. So it’ll be a lot of great hosting opportunities. Then a lot of it for us is prep work for the summer and then leading into the season.”