As the Big Ten Media Days commence, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum contends that USC could achieve a significant victory by replacing Lincoln Riley with Deion Sanders from Colorado after the 2024 season. Riley, who has compiled a 19-8 record over two seasons at USC, is entering the Big Ten following an 8-5 finish, marking the first time in seven years that his team did not finish in the final top-25 rankings.
Finebaum expressed his views on Monday during an appearance with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s First Take, suggesting a change could be beneficial for USC’s trajectory. “I believe he’s lost some of the momentum he initially had in Los Angeles,” Finebaum remarked. “In LA, you have to win consistently, or you risk falling behind. Rather than focusing solely on Lincoln Riley, I’ve proposed a solution.
Whether Riley succeeds or not, I believe the answer moving forward, after this season, could be Deion Sanders. He may grow tired of Colorado because, frankly, it’s not the prime spot. He’s done reasonably well with Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, but placing Prime Time in Tinseltown could create one of the most dynamic combinations in history.
Finebaum emphasized potential defensive improvements at USC under Riley’s revamped coaching staff, which now includes D’Anton Lynn from UCLA, along with key transfers who are expected to make immediate impacts. Offensively, following the departure of Caleb Williams, USC will rely on quarterback Miller Moss and a fleet of speedy wide receivers. The primary concern remains the team’s physicality in the trenches and whether they can assert dominance against Big Ten opponents, an area currently surrounded by uncertainty.
“Lincoln Riley is undoubtedly a talented coach with an impressive resume,” Finebaum acknowledged. “However, Deion Sanders embodies the essence of what the Los Angeles community desires. He could rejuvenate USC’s recruiting efforts, which Riley initially bolstered but has since struggled to maintain.”
Sanders, amidst a challenging offseason marked by significant roster turnover at Colorado, received support from BuffStampede.com’s Adam Munsterteiger, who downplayed concerns about the team’s depth. Munsterteiger addressed the issue during the College Football Recruiting Show, stating, “While Colorado did experience a notable exodus via the transfer portal this spring, many of the departing players were not projected starters. The portal era makes it difficult to retain depth, and there’s often an overreaction when players enter the portal. Overall, Colorado’s long-term prospects remain promising.”
Finebaum’s endorsement of Sanders as a potential successor to Riley underscores his belief in Sanders’ ability to invigorate USC’s program. Despite challenges faced at Colorado, Sanders has shown resilience and potential for success in a high-profile coaching role, making him a compelling candidate for USC’s leadership after the upcoming season. The debate over USC’s future coaching direction highlights the high stakes and expectations surrounding one of college football’s most storied programs as they navigate through a period of transition and strategic evaluation.
