LOS ANGELES — If you didn't think Lincoln Riley paid a single second to all of the critics calling for his demise, wait until you see how he ended his victory news conference.
For the nine minutes he sat inside the interview room inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Southern California coach was poised and timid when talking about the statement win over No. 2 Ohio State, seemingly downplaying the significance of his first top five victory with the Trojans.
But before he walked away from the podium, he took out a piece of paper − which he seemingly wrote something on − and read it out and a clear dig at everyone who doubted if he was the right man for USC.
"I wanted to make sure to articulate my thoughts," he said. "This program is built
on internal joy, not external applause. This wins for all the staff members, the players, the leaders, admin, all the people within the walls.
"I said before this game that I'm the right person for this job, and as long as all those people know that, that's all I care about. I appreciate being a part of this university and all it does. I appreciate our kids and our staff, and I'm going to continue to fight on because that's what being a Trojan is all about."
He then said "adios" and got up − making sure he got one last word in after the time for reporters to ask questions ended.
Think he heard all the noise?
Before ending his press conference, Lincoln Riley had a written statement, saying:
— jordan mendoza (@jordan_mendoza5) November 1, 2026
“This program is built on internal joy, not external applause.
“I said before this game that I'm the right person for this job, and as long as all those people know that, that's all I care about” pic.twitter.com/krjLvBegrA
After the questionable loss to Wisconsin in Week 8, media and fans across the country pondered if this was the last stand of Riley as it seemed USC was about to fall short of its lofty College Football Playoff expectations. USA TODAY Sports reported on Tuesday, Oct. 27 Riley and USC are in an “unhappy marriage,” as “both sides know” it’s not a good fit, according to people with direct insight into the Trojans.
He faced plenty of questions throughout the week leading up to Week 9, defending that he wants to be at USC and believes he is the right guy to be in charge while focusing on the Buckeyes. In a must-win game, his team came out and took down Ohio State in impressive fashion, taking the lead on the second play of the game and never looking back in a 30-18 victory that keeps the Trojans alive in the playoff hunt.
Riley's players also backed up their coach's sentiment after learning what he said.
"The outside noise it don't affect us," said defensive end Braylan Shelby. "Everybody can say what they want to say about us. They can say this and that, but internally, it's all about us. It's always been about us, so we keep striving. Like I said, each and every day, we're gonna get greatness in production on the field. We don't listen to outside noise, but we listen to internal noise, and that's what feeds us and drives us."
As he fielded question after question, Riley seemed humble and out to be the better person.
But he just couldn't resist clapping back at the haters.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lincoln Riley claps back at critics with fiery postgame written statement
