Lincoln Riley claims USC was ‘snaps away’ from the playoff, says he’s a better coach now than when at Oklahoma

Lincoln Riley’s tenure as head coach of the USC Trojans did not go smoothly.

When he took over ahead of the 2022 season, expectations were high that a coach with his background would bring the Trojans back to their glory days. He went 55-10 and 33-7 in conference play with the Oklahoma Sooners, coached four New Year’s Six games and won 12 games in three consecutive seasons.

In 2022, SC was one injury away from Caleb Williams potentially reaching the playoffs by winning the Pac-12 Championship Game, but since then the Trojans have not threatened to enter the expanded field. Let’s fast forward to 2026; This is a very important season for Riley.

The USC athletic department finally came under the direction of general manager Chad Bowden, and the NIL program helped produce the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class. But their schedules are extremely demanding and they are running out of patience.

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But Riley has never been this confident.

“We’re in May, right? But when we look at May, there’s definitely a real difference. It’s tangible. It’s not just hope,” Riley said at the last Big Ten meetings. CBS Sports. “The program has made strides not only in acquiring talent and building the roster, but also in teaching them to win and the progression that comes with that. I know — I saw — the real steps we are taking on the ground. “I saw the signs off the field.”

“I am a much better coach than I was in my years at Oklahoma,” he said. “I’ve definitely learned and grown a lot. There are a lot of things I learn now that I wish I had known then.”

Again, Riley averaged 11 wins per year at Oklahoma; has yet to achieve this number in SC. But he believes the Trojans are “close” and a few frames that go differently will get them into the playoffs.

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“Last year we were close enough to get a taste of it,” Riley said. “I mean, it literally takes away from being in this business. I know we’re definitely taking steps. Honestly, it’s time to do it now. It’s time. The program is ready for it. I took some criticism when I said I thought we opened a window at the end of the year, but it’s true. That’s how I feel.”

USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Nov. 29, 2025. USC defeated UCLA 29-10 in the NCAA football game. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News)

Yes, the Trojans were “momentarily” away, as they gave the Illinois Fighting Illini a lead late in the fourth quarter and came up short. And against Notre Dame, they had opportunities to make the game even closer. But elite teams often find a way to capitalize on those snaps in critical situations against top opponents. SC did not do this. They were also completely outclassed by the Oregon Ducks in Eugene.

And many SC fans will point the finger at Riley for this failure. For example, calling a risky trick play in South Bend resulted in wide receiver Makai Lemon fumbling on first-and-10 from the Notre Dame 37-yard line in the fourth quarter, down three points.

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Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley stands on the sideline during the first quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind., on Sept. 13, 2025. (Marc Lebryk/Imagn Images)

This season, they will play at Indiana and Penn State, although Notre Dame is not on the schedule, and will host Ohio State, Oregon and Washington. Plus a rivalry game against a new coach at UCLA and another trip to Wisconsin.

They can win nine games and still have a “successful” season. But if Riley has truly improved and learned as a head coach, he’ll need to get 10 wins and make the playoffs. Or questions about his job will quickly become much louder.