USC closes practice access to reporters for remainder of 2024 season

USC is fresh off a Big Ten win against Rutgers, getting the game done on Friday night. A good win for Lincoln Riley and attention is now turned to a former Pac-12 foe, the Washington Huskies. The week of practice has already begun in Los Angeles but there will not be much coverage of it.

Reporters will no longer have access to USC practice, the school announced on Monday. Interviews will still take place following the practices but they will not be able to view what occurred. A switch-up from Riley as the calendar turns to November.

“USC is closing practice access to reporters for the rest of this season, a spokesperson said,” Ryan Kartje of The Los Angeles Times said via X. “Media will still have interviews after practice, but there will be no viewing periods.”

Riley has not had the best relationship with the media throughout his career, dating back to his time at Oklahoma. He shut down access in Norman too, specifically when the team was deciding between Spencer Rattler and Caleb Williams to be the starting quarterback.

A few questions asked by reporters have not been to Riley’s liking either, mainly after losses.

“It always falls to me,” Riley said after the overtime Penn State loss. “When have I ever shouldered responsibility? I always take it. I’m the head coach. It’s my job. Believe me, there ain’t nobody taking more responsibility than I am. So, I don’t know where that line of questioning comes from.”

Whether or not the media views USC’s practice, there are at least four games remaining. Those will be split down the middle in terms of venue, with the Coliseum playing host twice. At least two wins are required in order to make a bowl game and potentially finish with a winning record.