The Trojans have held their own since moving to the B1G, even securing a Cotton Bowl victory under Lincoln Riley last year. Then a pretty mid seven-win season in 2024. But let’s be real—the ultimate goal is a national title. Now, can they get there soon? USC believes so. With a roster stacked with talent and Riley’s offense humming, they’re always snagging top recruiting classes. So, Riley’s not shy about it, throwing out there that a CFP title is totally doable. But, you know how it goes; when the hype train starts rolling, everyone’s watching. And with Riley pulling in a cool $10 million, the pressure’s on.
On the March 9th episode of Crain & Company, Jake Crain and Blain Crain dove into a hot topic—the highest-paid coaches in CFB. But the big question was: are they worth it, or are they overpaid? Here, Jake kicked things off by focusing on the coaches pulling in massive paychecks without delivering results. And when he turned to Blain and asked, “Give me one guy outside of number 10 that you think is overpaid as it stands right now?” Blain didn’t hesitate for long—USC head coach Lincoln Riley was his pick.
As of now, with USC’s recent struggles, Riley’s $10.1 million paycheck is under the microscope. Blain didn’t just throw out a name—he backed it up with solid reasoning. He explained his stance clearly, saying, “I’m gonna go with Lincoln Riley, okay? I mean, I think Lincoln Riley’s one of the best in the country when it comes from a play-calling standpoint, being creative schematically on offense. But you’re not an offensive coordinator, you’re a head coach. And I feel like what he’s done from Oklahoma to USC—he’s been trending down since then.” Honestly, his point was clear—Riley’s offensive genius isn’t enough; as a head coach, he’s expected to elevate the entire program.
Well, Lincoln Riley was a powerhouse at Oklahoma, racking up a 55-10 record, four Big 12 titles, and three CFP appearances. But at USC, the story has been different. His record has dipped to 25-14 over three seasons, with a steady decline from 11-3 in 2022 to 6-6 in 2024. This slump has sparked doubts about whether he can recapture his former dominance. And Blain Crain summed it up perfectly, saying, “They haven’t had a great season; they haven’t won really important games. You say that LSU win was somewhat nice to see, but Lincoln Riley—his stock has gone down since he left Oklahoma, and he hasn’t earned the money he’s getting paid right now from USC. USC doesn’t seem like they’re getting better; it seems like they’re just sitting here. They’re not rising; they’re not falling.”
26-14 at USC, even with talents like Caleb Williams and Miller Moss in the quarterback room, isn’t exactly setting the world on fire. When you’re pulling in a $110 million paycheck over ten years, the pressure to deliver results becomes a whole different ballgame—USC needs wins, and they need them now. And let’s not forget, we’re talking about Lincoln Riley here. He’s not just any coach; he’s got a reputation for high-powered offenses and championship aspirations. Blain Crain put it bluntly—“To make $10.1 million a year, you have to do more than that. To me, if you’re Lincoln Riley and you’re going to be a top 10 paid coach.” Here, Jake Crain agreed, adding that it’s not just about performance—USC’s recruiting has also fallen off this season.
But Riley’s problems don’t stop at his paycheck; the Trojans are facing a major quarterback dilemma. Well, with Miller Moss gone, USC is searching for its next leader under center. If Riley wants to silence the critics, he’ll need to find his guy—and fast.
Lincoln Riley’s QB puzzle at USC
From Caleb Williams to Miller Moss, and now…Jayden Maiava? Well, Maiava, once a backup, now holds the keys to the kingdom. The redshirt sophomore climbed the depth chart in 2024, but his grip on the starting job is already shaky. Enter Husan Longstreet, a 5-star phenom from the class of 2025. Look, he is right on his heels, ready to shake things up. So, the struggle for QB1 has begun.
You know, throwing a true freshman into the fire is risky, but Lincoln Riley is running out of options. USC’s decline is real—11 wins, then 8, now just 7. So, something has to change, and Husan Longstreet could be the spark. But now, a former Trojan has made a bold decision about the future of USC’s quarterback room.
Yes, former Trojan John Walker warns—benching Jayden Maiava could be a costly mistake.
Walker sees the talent in Husan Longstreet, but he’s not sold on throwing him into the fire just yet. And when it comes to the Maiava vs. Longstreet debate, Walker didn’t mince words. He said, “I believe that, as constructed right now, Husan Longstreet could start in College Football [for] just about 95% of the programs out there, including USC. Now, do I think that’s a good idea Unfortunately, I don’t.” And he made it clear—just because Longstreet dominated the Polynesian Bowl doesn’t mean he’s ready to take the reins.
Moreover, Walker believes the hype around Husan Longstreet is fueled by recency bias and short-term memory. “We have recency bias. We have selective memory and selective amnesia…We also only remember. What have you done for me lately? That is an improper mindset to have overall when it comes to developing young people, young men, particularly,” said the former Trojan.
As of now, Walker’s message is clear—growth takes time. Rushing Longstreet onto the field might excite fans, but giving him time to develop is the smarter move. You know, patience, not pressure, builds great quarterbacks. Riley’s got the QB keys, and he’s deciding who gets to drive.
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