Hey, USC powers that be, repeat after me: Lincoln Riley has gotta go

Did you see that, Jen Cohen?The USC athletics director’s flagship program once again couldn’t measure up against a top team in a tough environment.  Were you watching, Beong-Soo Kim?The Trojans president’s pride and joy once more resembled something he won’t want to bring up in Monday meetings.Have you been paying attention, Rick Caruso?The influential member of the USC board of trustees and mega donor still isn’t getting much return on his investment when it comes to Trojans football.In Year 5, after the latest sorry setback of the Lincoln Riley era, it’s time for everyone in power at USC to repeat after me:Riley has gotta go.After No.18 USC’s 27-13 setback against No.

9 Indiana saddled the Trojans with a third loss, they aren’t headed to the College Football Playoff.Not even close.A best-case scenario for the troubled Trojans (7-3 overall, 4-3 Big Ten) might be the Alamo Bowl, even after all the hype, money, gleaming facilities and defensive coordinators lavished upon their underperforming coach.“We’ve definitely come a long way as a program,” Riley told reporters afterward, “but we still obviously here got a little ways to go.”This guy shouldn’t be given another moment to get there.

He’s now 1-8 in road games against nationally ranked teams with the Trojans, making the matter of that roughly $70 million buyout — not counting his assistants and any buyout of an incoming staff — seem like a ransom worth paying.Riley should immediately reimburse his bosses for the cost of all those billboards around Southern California proclaiming “The Time Is Now.”It’s time, all right — time for Riley to go.You can bet the Trojans fans were watching what unfolded in stunning fashion inside Memorial Stadium over the final quarter.Oh, boy, were they watching.And throwing things.And hurling insults.

And wishing somebody else was their coach.The USC students calling for Riley’s firing inside the Coliseum amid another sloppy showing more ...