Lincoln Riley reflects on this year's journey, bringing The Coliseum back to life
Lincoln Riley has completed something no one thought he could do – turn the now-No. 4 ranked USC Trojans around in one season and make them into a College Football Playoff contender.
When Riley was hired nearly one year ago to the day, he promised to build the greatest roster and greatest culture in the nation – and sitting at 11-1 with a Heisman Trophy hopeful at quarterback in Caleb Williams, Riley has done exactly that and it has reinvigorated the Trojans fanbase.
“Sitting up there at that press conference almost close to 12 months ago just imagining that, and these guys have brought it to life,” Riley said postgame. “I don’t know how long it’s been since it was like that. I haven’t been here before, but man it was electric in there.”
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Riley utilized the transfer portal to perfection this offseason, and in turn the Trojans are one win away from not only winning the Pac-12 for the first time since 2017 and just the second time since 2008 but also from filling in the fourth and final spot in the 2022 CFP.
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“I can’t say, ‘Yes, I knew this was gonna happen,’ but at the same time I don’t believe in putting limits on what you can accomplish,” Riley said about USC’s success. “Especially if you get the right people in the building and everybody decides to be unselfish and work hard for each other. That’s what this group has done. They’re a great example of when you do that, the worst thing you could ever do is put limits on what you can accomplish.
“You guys know me, I stood right by what I told you our expectations were from day one. A lot of people thought I was crazy, and that’s fine. People within the walls knew what we were about and I think had a sense of what we were building, and it’s been a fun run.”
Now, the Trojans have a rare opportunity to gain back the lone loss they suffered earlier in the season to No. 12 Utah in the Pac-12 Championship game Friday. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. CT from Las Vegas live on FOX.