Lincoln Riley a reported target for UCF job as some in industry wonder if Riley wants soft exit from USC

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UCF has inquired about the availability of USC coach Lincoln Riley during its coaching search to replace Gus Malzahn, according to the Athletic. UCF reached out to Riley’s representatives last weekend to ask about his potential interest in the job, but there is no current indication the Trojans coach plans to join the Knights. 

Tthe vibes have been off with Riley this year at USC. An all-star defensive staff headlined by the assistant hires of D’Anton Lynn, Eric Henderson, and Matt Entz improved the unit, but USC’s 6-6 season still shows a program moving in the wrong direction from his initial 11-3 opening year. Entz is trending toward being named head coach at Fresno State, and offensive coordinator Josh Henson is in the mix at Tulsa. 

Multiple sources in the industry have openly wondered if this was the year that Riley would take an offensive coordinator job in the NFL, and the possibility of Riley not being at USC next year is on the minds of some in the building. The mere linkage of Riley’s name with UCF (although there is no report of reciprocal interest) has raised many eyebrows.

Riley would owe USC nothing if he leaves for UCF or another college football program, per the report, but there’s another question whether UCF could afford him anyway. According to USA Today, Riley made $10,043,418 during the 2024 season — the fourth-highest salary behind Georgia’s Kirby Smart, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney and Texas’ Steve Sarkisian. Riley signed a 10-year deal worth more than $100 million when he departed Oklahoma for USC in 2021. 

USC finished the regular season…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/usc-coach-lincoln-riley-a-reported-target-for-ucf-as-knights-look-to-replace-gus-malzahn/

Author : Richard Johnson

Publish date : 2024-12-04 19:15:00

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