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USC Morning Buzz: Lincoln Riley And Changing Culture

One of the worst takes I saw after the Holiday Bowl was that Lincoln Riley changed the culture of the program with the bowl game. In. The. 27th. Game.

You can’t change a culture during a bowl break. It takes longer than that.

But more importantly, let’s look at two coaches hired at the same time as Riley. We all know Kalen DeBoer changed the culture at Washington. The Huskies are in the national title game. Washington has won 10 straight games by 10 points or fewer, the first team to ever do that. It’s also won five straight by 7 points or less.

OK, but let’s look at another example. Has Dan Lanning established a culture at Oregon? Did you see a bunch of players dropping out of the bowl game for the Ducks? Are the Ducks making sure to build their program with high school players in addition to transfers? Do they have good linemen?

This is where fans will jump in and complain that Lanning is 0-3 vs. Washington or made some bad decisions in games. But I’m talking about culture here. Not defending whether he should go for it on 4th down.

What is USC’s culture? We don’t even know at the moment who Lincoln Riley wants at QB next season? Or if he is going to have a good offensive line next season? But he did beat Louisville.

72 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: Lincoln Riley And Changing Culture”

    1. That is going to change this year on the defensive side of the ball, if he would only grasp the concept of running the ball effectively to keep his defense off the field

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    3. Let’s remember that, by mentioning Oregon and Washington, Scott is implicitly making the point that 2023’s Pac 12 was tough to win. And USC did as good a job hanging with Washington as Texas did.

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      1. The PAC 12 was not a tough win if SC had a coach who actually gave two shits about the defense and had reigned in his egomaniacal QB

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      2. Partly agree —beating Washington [instead of giving up 52 points to them] would have been VERY possible without Grinch—-
        #ButItStillWouldn’tHaveBeenEasy…
        #AskSark

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  2. PC won a NC in his second year at SC. LR lost 5 games in his second year at SC. He is paid over $10mm a year. All this for a HC that hasn’t ever won an NC? For a HC who has as many players leaving the program as he has entering via the TP? A HC who has alienated the local prominent high schools, not to mention the Alumni with insulting comments. A HC who closed all practices and keeps everything to himself?

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      1. So true, Grabby. As Scott pointed out after Riley banned a critic, “He’s got a lot to learn about being a football coach in the Big City.”

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    3. You mean PC 3rd year. His first year they went 6-6 and lost to Utah in the Vegas bowl. The next year they beat Iowa in the Orange Bowl. Carson Palmer wins the Heisman trophy. 3rd year they played Michigan in the Rose bowl, won and the AP ranked them #1 . Over LSU who won the BCS against Oklahoma. Which didn’t deserve to be there because they got a beat down from Kansas St in the Big 12 championship game. 37-7.

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    4. I think tirebiter was trying to say “no team in the country wanted any part of USC by the end of the 2nd season” — Pete’s team after the Kansas State loss was pretty awesome…on both offense & defense.
      #RileyHasNeverPutTogetherATeamAsCompleteAsThatOne

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      1. Pete’s bowl team that smashed Iowa was National Championship material. I remember SI had Iowa’s LBs on the cover and SC smacked them around!

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    1. PC could recruit, he had guys like Orgeron who could recruit. He had coaches who made players better.

      How much NIL does Washington do ? Michigan ? Alabama ? Ohio State ? Georgia ? I have no idea how much they do, but I know it didn’t work for Texas A&M and Oregon has won NOTHING.

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  5. Yesterday Wolf had his first of the year Big 10 fear mongering post, oh dear, will USC football survive the Big 10 ?

    Riley MUST embrace physical football from now on, no more 7 on 7 bullshit. Get a running game going, and get both lines and LB fixed, it can be done quickly, but unless Riley is going to embrace being physical, it won’t matter if USC is in the big 10 or MWC.

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  6. Big- 10 (Wash and Mich) rules
    SEC (Tex and Alab) drools

    And why didn’t Wash take a knee on 3rd down instead of giving the ball to an already gimpy Johnson, the running back?– With Johnson’s ensuing injury the clock stopped at 50-seconds instead of running down to about 20-seconds, time enough for a Texas comeback that they almost finished off.

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    1. Washington’s play calling after they recovered that fumble [i.e., the last 5 minutes of the game] was semi-imbecilic.
      #ItLookedTheyWereTryingToThrowTheGame…
      #…UpUntilThatLastPlayBatDownInTheEndZone[WhichWasSoCool]..

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      1. P. S.
        Washington is in trouble with their top runner out. They weren’t that deep to begin with at running back….
        #TheyMayHaveLostTheChampionshipOnLastPlayLastNight…

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      2. And what was with the Alab quarterback running into a brick wall of Mich guys to end the game?– Why not have him roll out with a pass-run option?– I guess this is why I am not a coach

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      4. But the Huskies offense had great rythm all year….very unlike our offense. I place the blame for that at the hands of Caleb.

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  7. I told a friend before the Alabama game that Milroe does everything poorly except run. He had 140 rushing attempts – that’s a huge number for a QB. It figured they would let him keep the ball. Michigan figured that as well and was ready. I thought Bama would run more read option on the edge – like Texas and Vince Young in the 2006 Rose Bowl against SC. They didn’t. Maybe all the sacks shook Milroe up or something and they didn’t want to take a chance on getting him hit again and again. That’s the problem with every running QB since the Earth’s crust cooled – your QB is prone to injury. At least with a running back, they can take a few plays off. But not with the WB who handles the ball on every play.
    McCarthy was good enough and got the job done. Obviously Michael Penix of Washington throws a much better, beautifully accurate and catchable ball. Penix is special. Only thing is he is a lefty and the NFL needs a special coach to flip the offense. The NFL requires replacement parts, and the rarity of lefty QB’s works against that. Even Steve Young, a great athlete, presented a learning curve for his coaches. Kenny Stabler had the offense built around him.
    Jaxson Dart was impressive, and he’s coming back. Both Sarkisian and Lane Kiffan had excellent seasons. The fact remains is that they are both better coaches than SC had given them credit for. Also, the string of QB’s that have been through SC lately have been very good and I’m glad they have all had success. Sorry to hear that Daniels took a medical retirement. As for Miller Moss, he’s a bright kid, and a graduate student. He’s certainly good enough but could have a little more arm strength. We’d be fine with him. We need more depth at other positions and more size in the trenches. I have always thought edge speed on defense is critical; we need that too. Don’t get me started on our DBack needs. It kills me because I wish I could get my 64 year old body out there to show them how it’s done…

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    1. You cannot have a coach who is drunk on team planes, at team meetings, alumni functions and probably games not to mention cheating on his wife. Glad he seems to have gotten his shit together.

      Kiffin has won how many SEC championships ? And he’s still a prick.

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      1. Gotta agree, karma. Kiffin is a very good coach —but he’s always gonna be weird.
        #WeirdGetsOld…
        #But….7on7FootballGetsOldToo….
        #[NoMoreHappyTalk—TimeForUSCFootballToGoMedieval]

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      2. buddakarma: Kiffin has won how many SEC championships ? And he’s still a prick.

        You can be an A-list coach but if you don’t have the talent to match the two Elephants in the room Georgia and Bama it’s nearly impossible to dethron those two teams. LSU did it in 2019 because they were loaded with NFL talent up and down that roster, arguably one of the best teams in the history of college football.

        Kiffin is a funny guy with a dry sense of humor who perhaps rubs some people the wrong way. But I judge him on what he has done between the goalposts, the guy is solid. One of the top offensive minds in college football.

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      3. Did you all forget that Kiffin deflated balls, wanted to have shiny helmets, new uni’s, he acted like a complete ass with the media, closed practices, he has matured some but he’s a fucking jerk off.

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      4. Blast from the past —Whatever you think of him ya gotta give Scott credit for listening to Kiffin say “I’ll take questions on any subject except injuries, does everyone understand? I never will talk about injuries. Ever. So are there any questions on any subject except injuries?” And then….
        #Scott’sFirstQuestion: CanYouGiveUsAnInjuryUpdate?”

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    2. Saban KNOWS the last play call was dumb — that’s why he defended it by saying, “WHICH last call? I made 3 last calls. They called time out after the first one. We called time out after the second one. And then I had to make a third call!”
      Lots of deflection —meaning, he didn’t like his last call either.

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    3. Marv : Only thing is he is a lefty and the NFL needs a special coach to flip the offense. The NFL requires replacement parts, and the rarity of lefty QB’s works against that.

      I am not sure what you’re talking about, details? The only flipping I see is the right tackle now protecting the QB’s blindside. The boundary side versus non-boundary side and schemes to get a desired match-up in the secondary would not be impacted by which arm the QB throws the ball with.

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    4. buddakharma is right per Sarkisian….he blew his chance at USC with his public alcoholism both at the ‘Salute To Troy’ event and then showing up (vert next day I believe) inebriated on the practice field. He was justifiably fired and then, prompted by his parents, filed suit. Then came the infidelity. Off to that rehab clinic in Utah after which Saban gave him a lifeline to change which to his credit, he did then off to ATL Falcons.

      What is graphic to me is the stone faced demeanor of Sarkisian post-rehab. He is one lucky guy to find himself where he is in 2024. He better get rid of his ‘glower’.

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      1. Kiffin, Sark, and now Donte Williams, are three guys who somehow always “fall forward” throughout out there coaching careers.

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      2. I will forgive you if you [briefly interrupt your pledge …and…] attribute this ability to “fall forward” to some obscene ritual they each perform….

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  8. The New Year’s twin semis were high entertainment all the way to the last play where the Texas receiver looked as if he would have caught the winning touchdown with his foot inbounds but for that Wash defender swatting it away, making the play of the game

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    1. Washington’s defensive backs have been taking criticism all season long [“Washington’s glaring weakness”: Phil Steele] — so it was cool to see such a perfectly executed bat down end Texas’ last play….

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      2. Of late, old Phil has given more wrong opinions than right opinions. He needs to work on his belief system.

        He does a weekly radio segment here in Vegas on one of the local sports radio stations. He’ll give out a few betting picks for the upcoming weekend games, great. But the guy was like only 30% right on his picks. It got to the point where the guys on the radio started mocking him. The joke was whoever Phil picked bet the opposite.

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      3. Ha! Very funny….but….have you ever taken a long look at the 169 factor formula he uses to compile his Power Ratings [# of seniors, high school ratings for incoming players, composite QB rankings, plus or minus rating for each team member, # of dimensions in the multiverse]……
        #CrazinessAside,It’sStillAFunMagazine

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      4. Liked!……# of dimensions in the multiverse]……
        #CrazinessAside,It’sStillAFunMagazine

        I still reach for Phil’s mag first. His annual is second to none. I am looking at my copy right now, 352 pages of content.

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  9. So you dont change culture in a game or in a few weeks, but, there are some real changes going on in the program under Riley this year. I agree that Lanning and DaBoer have been better hires than Riley, who held onto his buddy. But Riley is still a top coach and now that they have taken out the trash (Caleb Williams attitude) he can actually coach up his QB.

    All season long I have said that the problem was that the team thought Caleb would bail them out. I now think the real problem was that Caleb made it a point to the rest of the team that he had to bail them out and wasnt a team player, while he actually was the problem on offense.

    The team culture has improved 1000% since Grinch is gone and now with Caleb gone, they can start playing like a team.

    Pair a top 3 offense with a top 15 defense and you have a real team.

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    2. Well said – “….All season long I have said that the problem was that the team thought Caleb would bail them out. I now think the real problem was that Caleb made it a point to the rest of the team that he had to bail them out and wasn’t a team player, while he actually was the problem on offense….”

      I felt the same as the season progressed – it was all ‘Caleb’ 24/7 – the Dr. Pepper ads the AFLAC ones other endorsements the NIL payout on and on and in the end ‘bye bye’

      Williams is going to get a hard reality check no matter where he lands come this Spring per the draft and he won’t have the benefit of anyone running interference for him per hard questions by the 4th estate.

      Good riddance

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      1. The problem was that the head coach didn’t take care of the defense after the Tulane game and didn’t give a shit about the defense until he had to or was made to by Cohen.

        SC needs to get bigger and stronger, play physical, run the damn ball, develop high school players, jettison more of the old assistants and that idiot Kingsbury and get their head coach to EMBRACE physical football.

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  10. Scooter,

    Culture starts with the coach, he has to be hard nose and so are his assistants. he must build the idea that SC will not be bitched slapped anymore. The oline coach, dline coach, lber coach, and db coach, and rb coach must teach toughness and that no one will beat them. he must coach them to impose their will upon the other team. they must get the ground game going. the last few games it has not been there. He must recruit and tell them kids that they will go to SC. Get rid of Kingsbury. Go full bore in practice. They should not believe in themselves, but they will know that they are the best. Hard nose play. Recruits bring the program back, not the mercenaries of the portal.

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  11. Scooter and the rest,

    It is my opinion, but I think that the Pac 12 qbs overall are the best. I saw both the michigan and bama qb’s, and i thought that they were shaky at best. The texas qb is good because of Sark and the Ol’ Miss qb, Dart is good because of Kiffin. Both coached in the Pac 12 and know what it takes.

    If I am correct, then I think Wash, Oregon, and SC will have an advantage on offense for next year. However, Michigan’s defense was impressive. SC has to get to that state.

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  12. — Not superstitious and this talk of Michigan being a team of “destiny” is as misdirected as those saying Washington is a team of destiny,
    when in fact the outcome of the championship game may well come down to some kid mishandling a punt

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      1. Maybe those “holding” calls should be reviewable, Michael,
        there seems to be some form of holding on nearly all the plays

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      2. Legalize holding on offense—but put a weight limit on o-linemen of 295 pounds—enforce new ruling that all d-linemen have to be over 350 —
        #….LotsMoreFights….SoMuchFunToWatch

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  13. WELL, we do have some evidence that something changed’cause SC played much better and beat the #16 ranked team with a 10-2 record…don’t forget they easily beat ND. It appears practices were much better than previous ones,in fact there were zero false starts,while SC usually has a dozen. They tackled vastly better…there was a change which bodes well for the culture is also tightening up.

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    1. I think that they are very close. The problem with the defense was that LR didn’t care about defense. That all changed in 2023 when we had probably the worst defense SC has ever had and as a result LR had the worst year of his life with everyone calling him a moron. He won’t make that mistake again.
      As far as the offense is concerned, they have the players, they have a great offensive minded coach and they won’t have Caleb to destroy the rythm of the offense with his changing plays at the LOS, using up the whole play clock(sometimes getting penalties in the process) and then holding onto the ball during the play. I think that they will be really good next year.

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  15. Until LR changes the culture by changing coaches and making sure player development is the focus moving forward. Until show recruits on the field then we will continue to be mediocre. Let’s face it we regressed due to poor coaching and it is embarrassing to everyone who is watching. Let’s go n develop these players n stop making stupid coaching decision.

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