Riley stays at USC before Ohio State

Lincoln Riley affirmed his commitment to USC on Tuesday ahead of a home game against No. 2 Ohio State.

The Trojans are 6-2 after a loss to unranked Wisconsin, and their College Football Playoff chances have dimmed. A defeat against the second-ranked Buckeyes would leave the team with no ranked victories and likely deepen scrutiny of the fifth-year head coach. Three Power Four coaching vacancies are currently open, and more positions are expected to become available in the coming month.

Riley said he chose the USC job over another major program and described his decision as a major personal sacrifice. He stated that he gave up a strong setup at Oklahoma to lead the Trojans. "I don't care if it's 15 years down the line. That should never be taken lightly, and it's not taken lightly by me," he said. He added that his belief in the program has not changed.

The coach acknowledged the intense expectations attached to a blue-blood program. He referenced his first season at Oklahoma, noting that some observers tried to remove him from that job after a single loss. "I learned a lesson pretty quick that the highs and lows of this thing, if you let those get to you, then you're not the right person for the job," Riley explained. He said he could not recall leading a team without high expectations.

Riley has not won 10 games in a season since his first year at USC, when he posted an 11-1 record. The team has not qualified for the College Football Playoff in that span. His tenure has included a loss to an Oregon team that has struggled this season and the recent defeat by Wisconsin.

Athletic director Jennifer Cohen did not hire Riley, a fact that has fueled some speculation about his standing. Riley described their relationship as fantastic and said Cohen has been a huge part of the program's progress. "Even though she's not the AD I came here with, and I'm not the coach she hired, we have a fantastic relationship," he said. He credited her with strong support of the football program.

A victory over Ohio State would expand USC's playoff window and provide a signature win for Riley. Another loss to a top-five opponent would likely result in more questions at his next news conference.