USCs embattled Lincoln Riley has resolute response to mounting criticism

USC’s second loss in a make-or-break year for Lincoln Riley has knocked the Trojans from the Associated Press rankings and put them on the cusp of being out of the running for the College Football Playoff.It also sparked speculation about Riley’s fit at a place where he wasn’t hired by athletic director Jen Cohen as well as his possible desire to go somewhere else that might offer an easier path to the CFP.Riley’s rebuttal?He’s exactly where he wants to be.“Listen, if I didn’t wanna be at this place, I wouldn’t have come here in the first place,” Riley, who is still seeking his first CFP appearance in his fifth season at USC, said Tuesday evening.“If I didn’t wanna be at this place, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to leave.“This is where I wanna be.

This is the right place for me.I’m the right person to be here.

And that’s just as honest and transparent as I can be with you guys.”Criticism has mounted since the Trojans (6-2 overall, 3-2 Big Ten) were mauled by Wisconsin last weekend, getting physically manhandled during a 24-7 setback in which they produced the worst offensive performance in Riley’s decade as a head coach.Facing No.2 Ohio State (6-1, 4-0) on Saturday at the Coliseum could deepen the discontent or provide a major plot twist for a coach in need of salvation.Riley deflected to the game against the Buckeyes when asked why he was still the right coach for USC.“We got a huge home game coming up here in the Coliseum,” Riley said, “and if my focus is anywhere outside of that, then it’s in the wrong place.”As far as his alignment with Cohen and the rest of the USC administration, Riley suggested there were no issues.“Fantastic relationship,” Riley said of working with Cohen, who started at USC before Riley’s second season.

“She’s been a huge part of all the progress that we’ve made and has been incredibly supportive.So we’ve got an incredible working relationship.”What about all the chatter con...