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Lincoln Riley was once a top candidate to land the LSU head coaching job before he spurned the Tigers for USC. Now, it seems he’s tried to skirt the program once again!
Reports have surfaced surrounding the Trojans‘ 2024 season opener, and they suggest that Riley has been looking for a way out of the matchup two years in the making.
More from Saturday Down South:
USC tried for nearly 2 years to find a way out of a contract to play LSU in Las Vegas because Trojans coach Lincoln Riley didn’t want the game, multiple sources told Saturday Down South.
SDS claims that USC administration went as far as to offer the Tigers replacement opponents in order to nix the contest, and even had FOX get involved in negotiations.
The network wasn’t enamored with the idea of USC’s first game as a Big Ten member broadcast by rival ABC/ESPN.
A source told the site, “They weren’t getting out of the game.”
Logistics and television scheduling played a major part in the decision to keep the high-profile matchup on the docket as it headlines a loaded Week 1 college football slate.
A number of games were reportedly moved in order to accommodate the Las Vegas based opener, which was originally scheduled in 2021 – prior to Riley’s arrival in Los Angeles.
It’s the 2nd time Lincoln Riley has tried to run from the SEC.
He succeeded in the first attempt!
After being courted by LSU prior to the hiring of Brian Kelly, Riley was considered a top candidate in the head coaching search. Rumors circulated that his decision to bolt for Los Angeles was largely influenced by being able to avoid SEC competition!
Playing in the PAC 12 offered an easier path to the College Football Playoff, though the Trojans failed to advance to national championship contention as a league member even with Heisman trophy winner Caleb Williams leading the charge.
Now, the coach’s path to the playoffs stiffens with USC moving to the Big Ten. Not only will the program face LSU in that opener, but they’ll also square off against the likes of Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Penn State, UCLA, and Notre Dame. Brutal!
Lincoln Riley succeeded in skirting SEC competition his first time around. It doesn’t look like he’ll be able to do so in 2024!