FOOTBALL

Can Lincoln Riley Be Trusted With Defensive Coordinator Hire?

Now that Lincoln Riley fired Alex Grinch, should he be trusted to hire the new defensive coordinator?

It might strike some as silly that anyone other than Riley would hire the defensive coordinator, but what in Riley’s background tells us he is qualified to hire a good defensive coordinator?

Riley should call someone he trusts (perhaps Bob Stoops) and get them to recommend some candidates.

It’s going to be hard because Riley is an offensive guy and he’s never really been under this much pressure before to hire a good assistant coach.

While we are on the topic, I hope Riley doesn’t think he is done overhauling the coaching staff. More changes are needed. Have you seen the way the secondary has played?

58 thoughts on “Can Lincoln Riley Be Trusted With Defensive Coordinator Hire?”

    3. Wait, SC fired a Defensive Coordinator? They had one????
      This will be a telling hire- if LR’s ego can handle a man in the room willing to create a physical culture- if he can, no telling what the Trojans can accomplish- if he hires a yes man- we are doomed

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  2. Ed Orgeron- we need a guy who can recruit defense, knows defense, and can fire the boys up. This analytics mentality does not work developing the players. Riley, is next he needs to run the ball more control the clock in the meantime to keep that terrible defense off the field.

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    1. Ed wants no part of the shit show. USC sent him packing once upon a time, the disrespect is still in the back of his mind

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  3. Too little too late. USC’s mantra. Not sure I want to watch the rest of the season.

    #TheShitShowWillContinue
    #DidYouHearAllTheBooingFromTheCrowdAtHalftimeOfTheWashingtonGame?
    #TheCoachingStaffScrewedThePlayers

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  4. We need Oregon he can get the big uglies we need from down south n in the Midwest regions. What ever DC is hired we need them to teach open field tackling first n DB coach who can teach techniques for gaurding receivers.

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      2. Board Coward, Zero Football IQ Charlie Bucket the UCLA Fan aka Cowardly Gabby/TebowObama wasn’t disciplined as a child and now we have to suffer with the results: a spoiled child, just like Hunter Biden. No wonder she loves Hunter so:

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      1. Jen Cohen isn’t getting canned, she has bigger balls than Mike Bohn, Lincoln Riley and Alex Grinch put together.

        Who do you think it was that fired Grinch? It sure wasn’t Lincoln Riley.

        Give Cohen credit, not many Athletic Directors have the stones to fire a coordinator this far into the season. She saw what everyone else saw, what good will come fom keeping that clown Alex Grinch around for the rest of the year, the answer, no good will come of it and she got rid of him.

        You might not like Cohen because she’s a woman and for whatever reason you hate women, especially women in power, but at least sent a message to Riley that she doesn’t give a fuck that he’s the head coach, he keeps fucking up and the next ass out the door will be his.

        Cohen holding people accountable is a good thing.

        Get over your fear and hatred of women, it’s not a good look, if you had a daughter you would know why.

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    2. you have no fucking idea what Cohen has said to Riley quit fucking acting like a fucking know it all when you don’t actually know shit. You sound fucking really DUMB

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      1. Remember when Plowhorse destroyed Board Coward, Zero Football IQ Charlie Bucket the UCLA Fan aka Cowardly Gabby/TebowObama… LOL

        Plow Horse
        JULY 8, 2023 AT 1:38 AM
        This guy is a real psycho. Imagine spending the time and energy to make up a phony avatar and then fraudulently engaging with people all day in an attempt to restore his lost reputation. He is absolutely obsessed with this blog. Just ignore him. He clearly suffers from an extreme narcistic personality disorder among other mental illnesses.

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  7. I do not believe anyone has mentioned this, but the Washington game kicked off USC’s Big Ten Opponent schedule. Already 0-1 with Oregon and UCLA coming up.

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  8. It makes no difference who the defensive coordinator is, because Lincoln Riley will still dictates the passive, finesse culture. I don’t see him hiring a stronger personality than his, it’s just not going to happen. I’m actually hoping Riley misses with the hire, so we can speed up the process of getting a new head coach

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      4. Board Coward, Zero Football IQ Charlie Bucket the UCLA Fan aka Cowardly Gabby/TebowObama, are you getting a new dumpster in Skid Row this fall? I heard the one you sleep in has maggots.

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  10. I know that most Trojan fans are all rah-rah about Grinch being let go, but that is only small part of the problem at USC, and it starts at the top. Ever since PC left, USC has selected Head Coaches that are enamored with this passive, throw the ball first-run on occasion, football that that is all sizzle and no steak. Kiffin, Sark, Helton, and now Riley. What has this philosophy gotten USC? One Rose Bowl win, one Pac-12 Title, no CFP Appearances, along with two embarrassing Cotton Bowl losses. If the powers that be at USC want to CLR to compete for a NC, then they have to take the decision making power on the next D-Coordinator away from him, and hire a quality coach who is going to bring in his own staff, and get rid of the garbage coaching that has plagued the USC defense. The main reason that four and five star players want to play in the big time programs is to be developed over three and four years to be able to play in the NFL. How many players on the defensive side of the ball at USC are ready to play in the NFL? How many four and five star defensive players are headed to USC recently?
    The two other changes that need to be made are hiring a new Strength & Conditioning coach and offensive line coach, along with a change to the offensive philosophy as a whole. USC needs to recruit mean and nasty offensive lineman that love run blocking, not this patty cake bullshit that CLR loves. And this is where I question CLR’s acumen as a head coach. In two of his three CFP appearances, his OU teams got the shit kicked out of them by bigger and stronger teams, yet he still clings to this pansy ass Air Raid offense. In the words of Marcus Allen; “Football is a mean and nasty business, and only the mean and nasty will win championships.”

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      1. STOP WATCHING THE SHIT SHOW….YOU’RE A FUCKING IDIOT BY CONTINUING TO WATCH THE TEAM…GO FUCK YOURSELF OLD MAN….AND STOP THE FUCKING POUTING…..

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      2. Remember when Board Coward, Zero Football IQ Charlie Bucket the UCLA Fan aka Cowardly Gabby/TebowObama forgot to switch from imitating Steve G to going back to his real self?

        steveg
        JULY 7, 2023 AT 4:16 PM
        You are an idiot pegging Gabby for an apology. Then you exploded into a childish rant because your ego was stomped by Gabby’s choice of words.

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        Gabby (original)
        JULY 7, 2023 AT 4:31 PM
        You are an idiot begging Gabby for an apology. Then you exploded into a childish rant because your ego was stomped by Gabby’s choice of words.

        typing mistake because I was jerking off to my favorite MTG picture

        Liked by 1 person

  11. If you're not about SC why are u here? That's really odd. Isn't there anything else in the universe drawing your attention? Bizarre's avatar If you're not about SC why are u here? That's really odd. Isn't there anything else in the universe drawing your attention? Bizarre says:

    Cohen hasn’t given me, or anyone, anything, that’s the point, much less two fingers. If you cared anything about this program you’d know that. I don’t know what a sister wife is, it sounds like something only weird people know about. And I’ll own being an idiot, I’m tried and true SC. What are you?

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    1. Cohen doesn’t need to function in view of the public. You have zero first-hand knowledge of her interaction regarding the football program… speculating has you looking like an ass…

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      2. you fucking stupid limp-dick troll…USC is a private school….and has zero disclosure obligation to the general public….you idiot!

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      3. Cowardly Gabby thinks she is the moderator for this blog! She has no idea how despised she is. .. just like Senile Joe thinks he is beloved president and is a good father.

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  12. Bruce Feldman –
    Where will USC turn for its next defensive coordinator?

    Jim Leonhard, Illinois, senior defensive analyst

    The biggest name USC could target is a coach who isn’t working as a defensive coordinator this year. Leonhard’s next move will be fascinating. The former Wisconsin star did an amazing job running the defense at his alma mater, but after becoming the interim head coach last season, he ended up on Bret Bielema’s Illinois staff. The 41-year-old produced defenses that ranked among the nation’s top five in total defense and top 10 in scoring defense four times at Wisconsin. He also helped developed a ton of talent there. This would be a home-run hire based on his track record if Riley could get him to USC, although he’d be working opposite a dramatically different offensive system.

    D’Anton Lynn, UCLA, defensive coordinator

    One option Riley will likely consider is across town. Lynn, the 33-year-old rookie defensive coordinator of the Bruins, has taken a group that ranked No. 72 last year and turned it into a defense that ranks No. 9 in the nation. Thanks to a gifted defensive front, UCLA leads the Pac-12 in run defense and in sacks and is No. 6 in red zone touchdown defense. It’s also allowed the fewest plays of 20-plus yards (22) in the Pac-12 — 40 fewer than the Trojans. Would the Penn State grad make the move? It’s unknown, but the former NFL assistant’s stock has risen significantly since he came to Westwood.

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    Tony White, Nebraska, defensive coordinator

    There’s another guy with UCLA roots who could be in play. White is a former Bruins linebacker who learned under Rocky Long as a young coach. The 44-year-old has had a strong first season in Lincoln, turning what had been the Big Ten’s 13th-ranked run defense before he arrived into the No. 2 unit this season. The Huskers have gone from No. 10 in sacks to No. 2. They’ve also gone from No. 11 in red zone touchdown percentage defense to No. 4. At Syracuse, his defense ranked in the top 25 in 2021 and 2022 (and No. 2 and No. 4 in the ACC in those years) before he joined Matt Rhule at Nebraska. He spent two seasons coaching in the Pac-12 at Arizona State, where he improved the Sun Devils significantly in 2018 and 2019. This would seem like an option USC should be considering.

    go-deeper
    GO DEEPER
    The long road that connects new Nebraska coordinator Tony White, the 3-3-5 defense and Matt Rhule
    Tony Gibson, NC State, defensive coordinator

    Gibson knows all about life as an Air Raid defensive coordinator from his days working for current Houston coach Dana Holgorsen. The 51-year-old Gibson is really good and could be in line for a Group of 5 head coaching job this winter. NC State is No. 9 in third-down defense, No. 5 in interceptions and No. 40 in the nation in yards per play allowed this season. NC State was No. 22 last year and No. 16 in 2021. Last year, the Wolfpack D ranked first in the ACC in scoring defense, third in total defense, third in rushing defense, first in defensive passing efficiency and first in interceptions. He’s paid very well at NC State, making $1.3 million a year, but he’s proven to be one of the best in the business.

    Tim DeRuyter, Texas Tech, defensive coordinator

    The Southern California native knows the Pac-12 well from his time at Oregon and Cal. His defense is No. 3 in the Big 12 in yards per play allowed and No. 44 in the country. In 2022, the Red Raiders allowed only 29.2 points per game in DeRuyter’s debut season, making it the first time Texas Tech had surrendered fewer than 30 points since 2009.

    go-deeper
    GO DEEPER
    The myths, challenges and solutions to being a DC in an Air Raid system
    Joe Rossi, Minnesota, defensive coordinator

    Rossi has been superb for the Gophers since he took over a defense that ranked No. 86 in the nation in 2018. In the past two years, they ranked in the top 10. The 44-year-old from Pittsburgh has been consistently good, having allowed only one opponent (UNC this year) to produce more than 500 yards in a game since 2020. The Gophers rank No. 39 in total defense this season. They’re No. 24 in run defense and No. 11 in turnovers gained. In three of the past four seasons, the Gophers have ranked in the top 10 in fewest plays of 20-plus yards allowed.

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    Joe Harasymiak, Rutgers, defensive coordinator

    Another Big Ten option to watch is Harasymiak. The Scarlet Knights are much improved this season and rank No. 10 in the nation in total defense and No. 2 in fewest plays of 20 yards or more allowed (behind Iowa). In 2022, Rutgers had its best statistical season in a decade. The 37-year-old had also done an outstanding job as a head coach at Maine prior to taking an assistant job at Minnesota under Rossi.

    Don’t count on:

    Morgan Scalley, Utah, defensive coordinator

    Scalley has consistently produced terrific defenses, but I don’t see him leaving the Utes at this point to come to USC. The 44-year-old Salt Lake City native and former Utes standout will likely be Utah’s next head coach whenever Kyle Whittingham decides he’s done coaching.

    (Photo of Jim Leonhard: John Fisher / Getty Images)

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  13. Mr. Wolf:
    a couple things you might need to know

    #1 Bob Stoops doesn’t particularly like Lincoln Riley. He care didn’t for some of Riley’s moves with the football squad after it was handed to him. Riley will not be making that phone call.

    #2 Any elite DC will be bring 1 or 2 of his own position coaches. That’s a given. Donte Williams and someone else are gone.

    #3 Jen Cohen will have no say whatsoever in the new DC. Riley has $80 million guaranteed, he’s not listening to anybody at USC and he doesn’t have to. He cannot be fired unless he goes full “Mel Tucker”. Jen Cohen seems like very good hire, however completely clueless on football.

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    1. I don’t know why he wouldn’t be qualified to hire a DC. One thing for sure. He will certainly have the motivation to hire the best guy out there who wants to come to SC. This last year has been the worst year in LR’s life and it’s all because he made the mistake of not firing Grench like everyone told him to do. I don’t think that he wants to go through another year like this. And SC is an attractive job. He shouldn’t have trouble finding a great DC who wants to come to SC.

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      1. Parcel,
        of course LR is qualified to hire an elite DC. I never said anything like that in my post.

        Mr. Wolf has been trumpeting for a few weeks that Jen Cohen will help with the hire. That’s laughable.

        Now’s he saying Bob Stoops will help. Another miss. Stoops did not like that LR destroyed his top defense after taking the reins. Stoops’ son, Drake Stoops, played wide receiver for LR. Lots of material here.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I guess I didn’t read all the other replys concerning this. I must get 100 or more replys from Scott Wolfs blog. I don’t have the time to read all those replys. My mistake.

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    2. “Jen Cohen seems like very good hire, however completely clueless on football.”

      Really? Cohen hired the head coach at Washington that brought his team into the Coliseum and beat the guy USC is paying $110 million dollars to run it’s football program.

      Seems that you’re clueless…LOL!

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  14. GRINCH was an outstanding Pac 12 defense coach at Wash St under Mike Leach. Nobody like going against his defense 5-6 yrs ago. I guess the personnel perfectly fit his scheme which was fast & get after the q/b. I know at SC he tried but like Monte Kiffin ‘s cover 2 pro type defense at SC it did not work at all.
    I am one who does not beat a dead horse some more to puff up my ego and say I told you so.
    There are several very good defense coaches who would like to coach SC and that position will be filled by one with a great resume,and the lincoln will hire him along with the AD whom I presume must also sign on the dotted line .

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  15. Scooter,

    Sorority girl aka the AD does not have experience in dealing with a tough situation like SC is in right now. There are too many moving parts right now. You have LR might not wanting to stay at SC. If that is the case, then the new head coach will want to hire his own staff. IfLR stays, then LR has to know he has to hire someone that will teach physicality instead of being passive on defense. I like Armanda, the Baylor coach to be the new dccordinator. he is from Riverside so he knows what it takes to play defense at SC’s level. Maybe Kris Richard. Last time I heard he was at Dallas being the dcordinator. The uglies dcordinator is doing a good job. This is my opinion. Now, does Riley start looking now and hire the coach after the season or does he wait to look for a dcordinator after the ugly game? I hope Sorority girl and LR ask for advice from former USC players that have the ear to the ground about college football and what is out there and what SC needs.

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  16. I really doubt that Lincoln Riley is the person at USC that is tasked with pulling together a list and then vetting that list and determining interest. There are other people doing that.

    My guess is the new AD is heavily involved. maybe even fully in charge of the process of recommendation to Riley. I’m sure it will be Lincoln’s final decision, but I can guarantee that the new AD has experience in this area. She hired Kalen, which was a very good hire, so I have a little trust she will do a good job.

    The only thing that will concern me is if the new DC is a true air raid guy, whose only real qualification is that he isnt going to rock the air raid offense Riley is putting on the field.

    I hope Riley gets rid of KK, because we dont need anyone who has primarily lost more than they won around the program.

    Taylor Mays as the interim safety coach is a good thing. I doubt it makes any difference, but safeties and nickel are a real weakness of this team, apart from Jaylin Smith.

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