“To the Incredible Trojan Family” – Lincoln Riley’s Emotional Farewell
To the incredible Trojan Family,
It’s hard to find the words, but I’ll try—because you deserve that, and more.
When I first set foot on the hallowed grounds of the University of Southern California, I felt the weight of a legacy. Not just wins, not just Heismans, not just championships—but a legacy of pride, of passion, of relentless pursuit. I was honored to be called your head coach, and I gave everything I had to wear those cardinal and gold colors with the reverence they deserve.
Today, I write with a heavy heart. After long reflection with my family and those closest to me, I’ve decided to step away from my role as Head Coach of the USC Trojans. This isn’t an easy decision. In fact, it’s one of the hardest of my life. But I want you to hear it from me, and I want to say goodbye the only way I know how: honestly, from the heart.
I came to USC with a mission—to restore the roar, to ignite the Coliseum, and to help return this storied program to national prominence. I won’t pretend we accomplished every goal. There were highs, and there were heartbreaks. There were Saturdays where the city of Los Angeles lit up in cardinal joy, and others where we walked off the field knowing we’d fallen short of what this program, and you the fans, deserve.
But every day, I woke up grateful. Grateful to walk those halls, to coach those young men, to fight on with this incredible staff, and to hear the drumbeat of the Trojan Marching Band as we stepped onto the field. That sound—it gave me chills from day one. Still does.
You—the Trojan faithful—welcomed me and my family with open arms. From that first press conference to the last post-game walk down the tunnel, I felt your passion. I saw it in the tailgates that stretched for blocks. I heard it in the chants that echoed down Figueroa. I read it in the messages you sent, the notes you left, the signs held high in the stands. You believed in me. Even when it was hard.
To the players—my guys—there’s no way to express what you mean to me. You trusted me with your growth, with your dreams, with your future. You worked, you battled, you bought into the vision. And you reminded me every single day why I fell in love with this game. Whether you were a five-star or a walk-on, whether you saw the field every Saturday or were grinding in the shadows—you mattered. You still matter. And I will always be proud to say I coached you.
There are moments that will never leave me. The comeback wins. The locker room celebrations. The long nights of film and the early mornings of grind. Watching Caleb bring home the Heisman. Watching freshmen become leaders. Watching broken spirits rebound with resilience. Watching teammates become brothers.
To the coaching staff—thank you for believing in the vision. Thank you for the hours, the sacrifice, the honesty, and the heart. You all know what it costs to do this job the right way. And you gave that, day after day. I’ve been blessed to coach beside some of the finest minds and hearts in football. I’ll carry those bonds with me always.
To the administration—President Folt, Mike Bohn, and the entire athletic department—thank you for entrusting me with this program. Thank you for the opportunity, the belief, the support. I know the future of USC football is in strong hands.
So why now?
There’s no one answer. Life has a way of shifting under our feet. Sometimes the best decision isn’t the easiest one—it’s just the right one for where you are, for who you are, and for who you hope to become. I’ve always told my players: bet on yourself. Be brave enough to evolve, even if it hurts. Now I have to follow my own advice.
But this isn’t goodbye forever. Trojan blood runs deep. It doesn’t wash off. I will always be part of this family, always be a fan, always be someone rooting for these young men to rise, to fight on, to conquer.
I know some of you are disappointed. I understand. I really do. But I ask you to keep loving this team the way you always have. Because this isn’t about one coach. This is about the spirit of Troy. That spirit is bigger than me. It’s bigger than any individual. And it’s alive—stronger than ever.
I’ll never forget my final walk off the Coliseum field. The lights, the noise, the echoes of greatness that live in that concrete cathedral. I looked up and saw faces painted in pride, hearts beating in sync with the song girls and the sword swings. And I thought: what an honor this has been.
I may be stepping away from the sideline, but a part of me will always live there—in the roar of the crowd, in the dreams of a freshman suiting up for the first time, in the pride that only comes from being a Trojan.
So thank you. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for challenging me. Thank you for walking this journey with me.
No matter where life leads me next, one thing will never change:
Fight On. Forever.
With love and gratitude,
Lincoln Riley
Want me t
o polish it more or give it a press conference tone?