Lincoln Riley’s name might spark debate when it comes to program-building. But one thing is non-negotiable—the man can draw up an offense like few others. Riley didn’t just stumble into gigs at Oklahoma and USC—he earned his stripes by torching defenses with a modern, high-octane scheme that made defensive coordinators sweat. Before Ben Johnson was making NFL defenses look silly, Riley was already doing it in college, and he had his own way of doing things. He’s the original quarterback whisperer, the guy who turned raw talent into trophy-lifting signal-callers. Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, and Caleb Williams all came out of his lab—three Heisman winners and one Super Bowl MVP.
And now, as he sets the table for another chapter with Jayden Maiava at USC, the praise is still pouring in. This time, it came from within his own staff—linebackers coach/assistant HC for defense, Rob Ryan, who dropped a comparison that raised plenty of eyebrows.
When asked about the challenge of defending Riley-led offenses, the veteran coach didn’t hesitate: “Oh man, I mean, he’s like Andy Reid, where if Andy Reid knows what you’re in, you’re dead. Period. You’re dead. Like, you’re dead…So you have to disguise your intentions; you have to be multiple on defense to have a chance. And he’s the same way.” Now that’s some high praise. And it’s not just fluff—Riley’s résumé backs it up.
Let’s rewind to 2023. USC finished 8-5 overall and 5-4 in the Pac-12, not exactly the dream run fans were hoping for. But offensively? They were cooking. Behind Caleb Williams, Riley’s Trojans ranked third nationally in scoring offense (41.8 PPG) and third in passing efficiency (170.88). Even in a down year, Riley’s offense looked like a cheat code.
“Coming in here, I knew it was going to be great, but I didn’t realize what a leader Lincoln is. And it’s special when he gets up there. His voice, people believe, and we all believe in the picture,” he added.
Even Caleb Williams himself once said, “He’s a great coach. [That’s] one of the reasons why I came [to USC.] His ability to be able to adapt to his quarterbacks and certain personnel.”
Riley isn’t just part of the Air Raid legacy—he’s evolving it. Starting out under Mike Leach at Texas Tech, Riley took the bones of Hal Mumme’s system and added his own flavor: balance, physicality, and adaptability. He’s not just calling plays—he’s shaping schemes.
Lincoln Riley’s $2 million gamble
If offense was never the issue at USC, defense sure was. So when Riley made the move to poach D’Anton Lynn, former UCLA defensive coordinator, it was seen as a power play. And not a cheap one. Lynn signed a two-year deal worth $2 million, making it the richest assistant contract in USC history. The message was clear: Riley is betting big that defensive stability will take USC to the next level. So far? It’s paying off.
Lynn helped shift USC’s recruiting momentum almost overnight. The 2025 class features four-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart, ranked No. 5 at his position nationally, and three other four-star defenders. The transfer portal? Even better. They landed two four-star defensive linemen, including Keeshawn Silver, the top-ranked player at his position.
But Lynn’s biggest win might be who he brought with him: Rob Ryan, a longtime NFL coach and defensive mind. When asked how a young coach like Lynn convinced a veteran like Ryan to come to USC, Ryan laughed: “He’s a damn good recruiter. No, but, you know, I’m not coming for this…no way in the world. But it does make him special. I love D’Anton. And, well, I know, like, his brilliance is—he’s so detailed, and he’s so intelligent, but he’s also an amazing person,” Rob Ryan said.
He continued, “I know we look completely different, and our styles are completely different, but we speak the same language, and we believe in the same things. So, it’s easy, you know, to come here to work with D’Anton and to help him with his vision—because we’ve been in it. We see the same, same way. So, it’s a special deal.” That shared vision isn’t just talk—it’s already shaping USC’s identity.
Ryan first opened up about his decision to join USC during his introductory press conference, giving full credit to Lynn for making the pitch impossible to decline. “To hear about the way D’Anton [Lynn] spoke about this place, about Lincoln [Riley], about these players on this team. … I came up, I brought my son up, I went and talked to Lincoln and Dave Emerick, and I’m like, these people are legit. I can’t say no—this is going to be great,” Ryan said.
And now, the trio—Riley, Lynn, and Ryan—are aligning to turn USC into a complete team, not just an offensive highlight reel. This isn’t just about a flashy comparison to Andy Reid or a big-money defensive hire. This is about Lincoln Riley evolving.
For years, the knock on Riley was that he could score with anyone but couldn’t build a program that could consistently win championships. But bringing in Lynn—and empowering him to build out a defensive identity—signals that Riley is thinking beyond fireworks. Sure, it took a $2 million gamble and a major staff shakeup, but for the first time since he landed in Los Angeles, Riley’s building with long-term vision. Offense is still his kingdom—but now he’s got the generals on defense to match. So, with a retooled staff, a fresh QB project, and defensive reinforcements coming in hot—can Lincoln Riley finally deliver the complete package at USC?
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