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Last week, college football analyst Josh Pate ignited a firestorm of speculation surrounding Lincoln Riley when he suggested sources told him the head coach could be considering leaving USC for a fresh start. More News: College Football Playoff Contender Has Heartbreaking Loss on Friday Night Florida and LSU appeared to be logical places for the former Oklahoma head coach to end up. On Friday night, Riley addressed rumors about his future following the No. 19 Trojans’ 38-17 win over Northwestern. “You guys know what I sacrificed to be here,” Riley told reporters in his postgame news conference. “I’m where I need to be.” LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 12: (L-R) Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans talks with Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions prior to a game at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) More News: Jon Sumrall Sends Serious LSU Message During an appearance on ESPN’s “The Matt Barrie Show” on Sunday morning, Paul Finebaum confirmed similar “whispers” to what Pate alluded to last week. Barrie asked Finebaum if there was a splashy hire out there that Penn State could grab as the coaching carousel grows. Finebaum thinks PSU’s administration could sell Riley to boosters and the fan base. “One other name Matt, and I’ve been critical of this guy, but he’s done a really good job this year of keeping his program together, and that’s Lincoln Riley,” Finebaum said. “And I’m not just saying this to say it, but I keep hearing whispers that he could be in play, and if he is… It’s good for him. “And his name’s back in the picture again. Don’t know if he would leave USC, but he still is one of those names that you can introduce at a press conference, and people go, ‘Oh, well, never thought.'” Riley has the Torjans 7-2 and 5-1 in Big Ten play before getting set to play No. 20 Iowa in Week 12. If USC beats the Hawkeyes, it will stay in the College Football Playoff picture before going on the road to play No. 9 Oregon on Nov. 22 and finishing the regular season against UCLA on Nov. 29. Riley has reasons to stay at USC. Per ESPN, the Trojans currently have the No. 1 recruiting class for 2026. However, USC has not been a consistent CFP contender under Riley, and he could decide he wants a fresh start at another program. For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports
