Brief

Lincoln Riley says he’s committed to USC amid criticism after loss

The coach reiterated his dedication to the Trojans and dismissed rumors of a move after a 24‑7 defeat to Wisconsin.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 28 Oct 2026 10:00:27 GMT

After USC’s 24‑7 loss to Wisconsin, head coach Lincoln Riley told reporters on Tuesday that he remains fully committed to the Trojans and sees no reason to leave.

What happened

USC fell to Wisconsin on Saturday in Madison, a defeat that dropped the Trojans from the AP rankings and deepened doubts about Riley’s fifth season. The loss was the team’s second of the year, leaving them 6‑2 overall and 3‑2 in the Big Ten.

What the reports add

The New York Post article records Riley’s direct quotes, noting he said, “If I didn’t want to be at this place, I wouldn’t have come here in the first place.” He added that he has had “plenty of opportunities to leave” but chose USC because it is “the right place for me.” The piece also captures his comments on the upcoming Ohio State game, saying his focus is on the home matchup at the Coliseum.

What was said

Riley told reporters, “Listen, if I didn’t wanna be at this place, I wouldn’t have come here in the first place… This is where I wanna be. This is the right place for me. I’m the right person to be here.” He praised athletic director Jen Cohen, describing their relationship as “fantastic” and “incredibly supportive.” When asked about speculation linking him to other jobs, including Baylor, Riley replied, “I love it here… I don’t care if it’s 15 years down the line, that never should be taken lightly.”

How it came about

The criticism intensified after the Wisconsin loss, which followed a narrow win over Washington earlier in October. Earlier coverage by Felo News noted that the defeat eliminated USC’s playoff hopes and sparked talk of Riley’s job security. Riley’s comments aim to counter that narrative and reassure fans ahead of the crucial Ohio State game.

Key facts

• Lincoln Riley said he wants to stay at USC despite recent criticism. (nypost.com)
• Riley described his relationship with AD Jen Cohen as "fantastic" and supportive. (nypost.com)
• He dismissed rumors of a move to other programs, including Baylor. (nypost.com)
• USC lost to Wisconsin 24‑7, dropping them from the AP rankings. (nypost.com)

Sources

• [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “USC’s embattled Lincoln Riley has resolute response to mounting criticism”