Fans were annoyed with Lincoln Riley over the move he pulled on Monday night.
Riley did not appear on Monday’s “Trojans Live” radio show. Host Jordan Moore stated that Riley was “under the weather.”
Lincoln Riley not making an appearance on USC's weekly Trojans Live show. Jordan Moore opened the show saying Riley is "under the weather." Dennis Simmons and Shaun Nua will appear.
— Thuc Nhi Nguyen (@thucnhi21) October 24, 2023
Instead of Riley appearing on the show, wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons and defensive line coach Shaun Nua joined the program.
Some fans thought Riley was ducking the media and questions amid USC’s disappointing two-game stretch. The Trojans got crushed by rival Notre Dame 48-20 two weeks ago and lost 45-42 to Utah on Saturday. Riley has subsequently been feeling the heat.
But USC reporter Luca Evans says that Riley seemed sick when speaking with reporters on Thursday and again on Sunday.
USC head coach Lincoln Riley did not make customary appearance on weekly “Trojans Live” radio show tonight as show reports he’s sick. WR coach Dennis Simmons says on show he spoke to Riley and “everything’s good.” Riley seemed sick in media Zoom Thursday + postgame Sunday
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) October 24, 2023
Not participating in the show and sending assistant coaches to do it is a bad look for Riley. This comes two days after USC declined to let any players talk with the media following the loss to Utah.
No player interviews for @USC_Athletics following the loss to @Utah_Football.
“That is the new regime here at USC.” pic.twitter.com/XsTNNEtlUQ
— Chris Evans (@Chris_Evans12) October 22, 2023
USC officially makes no players available to the media after losing to Utah. That's embarrassing.
— Connor Morrissette (@C_Morrissette) October 22, 2023
Riley is very controlling when it comes to media availability. The program even suspended Evans earlier this season. That sort of approach brings a lot of scrutiny — even more when the team is losing.
