Lincoln Riley talks about relationship between head coach, quarterback

The USC Trojans and Colorado Buffaloes square off this weekend in a matchup between two programs with very similar recent history.

USC head coach Lincoln Riley took over a program rich in history last year, built a roster largely through the transfer portal, and brought the current reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams along with him for the ride to quarterback his offense.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders had a very similar offseason this year as he took over Colorado’s program, except his QB is his own son Shedeur and his exuberance has placed a new national spotlight on the program that’s been unprecedented at the collegiate level.

Riley was asked about the comparison recently ahead of his matchup with the Buffaloes, and more specifically about the importance of the head coach and quarterback relationship in both instances.

“It’s critical,” Riley said. “You’ve got two coaches that came in with guys they’re obviously trusted and had experience with and I don’t think you can put a price tag on that from the team aspect and building the culture in the beginning which is really really tough. It’s a lot harder than what people probably think on the outside.”

Both Riley and Sanders have made their inheritance and agile rebuild of their respective programs look effortless, with Riley leading the Trojans to an 11-1 regular season finish along with a Pac-12 Championship and Cotton Bowl appearance last season and Sanders getting the Buffaloes off to a hot 3-1 start following an 1-11 finish last season.

But there’s no doubt that their quarterbacks have had a seminal role in their success as well.

Last year Williams took home the most prestigious individual honor in the sport after throwing for 4,537 yards and a nation-leading 42 touchdown passes, adding 10 rushing scores to his stat line. He’s continued to build on that this season with 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns through four games this year, but Shedeur Sanders has also established himself as one of the nation’s top passers.

Sanders currently ranks second in the nation in passing yards this season with 1,410 on the year, completing 76.9% of his passes with 11 touchdowns.

There’s no doubt that the two Pac-12 pass throwers have been dominant, also positioning their head coaches for instant success early in their tenures at new programs through the process.

“And then certainly offensively we were able to get off to a decent start year one offensively and they’ve been able obviously to do the same and play very well. I think it’s a key part, he was smart enough to bring his son along with him and he’s played at a high level,” Riley concluded.

The past and present of West Coast rebuilds will square off this weekend, as USC visits Colorado this Saturday kicking off at noon ET in a game airing on FOX.