Lincoln Riley reveals what will fix USC football culture

Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma for the new challenge of turning around the USC Trojans and he wants to start with a new culture. Many before him have tried and failed, but Riley believes he can get the job done.

From day one, Riley has preached about the unique opportunity and timing of his move. He views USC as an upgrade over Oklahoma despite the Sooners status as playoff contenders each of the past several seasons and the constant stream of quarterbacks coming through the program.

“I think the first thing is bringing a staff of people that understand what that looks like,” said Riley. “We don’t have to teach them what the culture looks like and then in turn teach the players. We’ve been able to bring a tremendous staff, guys who know what a championship program looks like, how it operates. And then you bring it to these guys. There’s a lot of buy-in right now. I think USC’s at a place where maybe the program’s been humbled in a way, and I think everybody realizes we’ve all got to get on board, we’ve got to do it together.

“Programs that are championship programs, that are right there in the mix year in and year out, it starts right there with culture and that’s certainly what’s going to happen for us at USC.”

Lincoln Riley has already started his process of culture changing moves, signing an army of the top assistants from his previous staff, the old USC regime and others respected across the country.

Lincoln Riley on taking the USC job

Riley also recently 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.”