Coach Lincoln Riley embracing USC patience amid pressure for Trojan turnaround

It is part of being a fan to look at the program's weaknesses and trouble areas. Particularly for USC at the moment, there is a lot of potential, and the future is showing a lot of promise, in particular through the 2026 and 2027 recruiting classes. Still, the way in which the Trojans battled .500 all season long especially remains an eyesore.

When listening to coach Lincoln Riley, however, he does not seem particularly rushed or worried. Instead, there is something of an increased, measured, and calm belief that the program is heading in the right direction.

Coach Riley has admitted to some miscues and aspects that he's learned from. That is not translating, at least not publicly, into panic whatsoever.

The players, commits, and staff all seem to be in lockstep that USC is on the precipice of being an annual college football player, with the likes of Ohio State and Georgia currently.

For those frustrated by the lack of wins as of late, this sentiment is not coming from a blind sense of arrogance or nostalgia from the past great Trojan teams. The confidence is stemming from the work that is going on when the cameras are not around and really going about things the right way.

For someone who knows that a repeat of last season will result in an unwanted conversation with the AD, coach Riley is taking the slow and steady approach, knowing that a quick fix will ultimately do more long-term damage than good.

He is in something of a race against time, however. While the nation is debating the merits of continuing the Notre Dame series and who is scared of whom, there is a fixed 2025 schedule. It may look favorable to some. Coach Riley and everyone in the building will now know better than to take anything for granted.

Even in the face of a known certain doom, depending on how the upcoming results go, coach Riley is not only preaching the right things but also insisting on them.

Right overall approach by USC at this time for the program

Regardless of how the upcoming season unfolds for USC, there is something admirable in going with an approach that he knows could potentially take a while to simmer instead of aiming for another quick-fix, microwave approach.

In a results-based business, his sticking to his beliefs may not be rewarded. That does not mean that coach Riley should not still be highlighted and applauded for doing everything he can in the position that he is now to correct the situation at USC. To his credit, he is actively learning and acting on the lessons from his past mistakes.