The USC Trojans concluded the college football regular season successfully, securing victories in four of their last five games and earning a place in the Alamo Bowl against TCU on December 30. This achievement marks head coach Lincoln Riley’s most successful season in Southern California since his initial year with an 11-3 record, buoyed by the stellar performance of Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams at quarterback.
Despite speculation linking Riley to various high-profile coaching vacancies nationwide, it appears the 42-year-old coach will remain at USC for the foreseeable future. The stability he brings is a significant win for USC, which has experienced considerable coaching turnover since Pete Carroll’s departure to the NFL in 2010. The team has navigated tumultuous seasons under several coaches, including Lane Kiffin, Ed Orgeron, Clay Helton, Steve Sarkisian, and Donte Williams.
On a challenging note, USC faces a significant transition as the team has been informed they will vacate the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the duration of the 2028 Olympic Games. This historic venue, which has previously hosted the Olympics in 1932 and 1984, will be the first stadium to host three Olympic Games. For the 2028 season, USC will play their home games at SoFi Stadium, located less than eight miles away, which is also home to the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers.
This transition to SoFi Stadium will require adjustments from both players and fans, as the Coliseum has been the Trojans’ home since 1923. Additionally, scheduling conflicts may arise, as the UCLA Bruins are set to move their home games to SoFi Stadium in 2026 after signing a contract to leave the Rose Bowl. Despite these challenges, the Trojans’ recent successes and Riley’s commitment signal a promising future for USC football.