College Football Fans Weigh in on Lincoln Riley, Alex Grinch and USC After Loss

USC lost 52–42 to Washington on Saturday night to move to 7–3 on the season, essentially meaning the team’s chance at the College Football Playoff is over.

College football fans quickly blamed USC coach Lincoln Riley and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch for the loss. 

When Riley took over the Trojans program in 2022 after coaching at Oklahoma, he brought Grinch with him. Fans are ready to at least see Grinch fired from the program now, maybe even see Riley sacked if the coach doesn’t chose to let Grinch go.

Saturday’s loss was especially tough on USC quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. He was seen hopping into the stands after the game and he appeared to cry in his mother’s arms. 

Despite Williams’s outstanding performances leading a powerful offense, the Trojans’ defense remains one of the statistically worst in college football. Here’s some of the reactions on social media regarding Riley and Grinch specifically after Saturday’s loss.

Lincoln Riley retaining Alex Grinch after the 2022 season is going to go down as the worst coaching personnel decision in #USC history.

And this is after USC hired and then retained Clay Helton after the 2018/2019/2020 seasons.

— Alicia de Artola Castillo (@PenguinOfTroy) November 5, 2023

I do not take firing coaches lightly, and all that comes with that decision when it comes to uprooting families.

But Lincoln Riley has to address the Alex Grinch situation. He just has to. This cannot go on any longer.

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) November 5, 2023

Alex Grinch is the worst division 1 coach. Caleb Williams college career wasted because Lincoln Riley doesn’t have enough balls to fire Alex Grinch.

Makes me speechless.

— Nico (@USC_Nico) November 5, 2023

USC's school president needs to do what Iowa's Beth Goetz did and tell Lincoln Riley, "If you don't fire Alex Grinch by Monday, I will."

This is embarrassing.

— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) November 5, 2023

I’ll never understand this. This right here is why Alex Grinch HAS to be fired. he has had his DBs line up like this CONSTANTLY in 3rd and medium/short. 3rd and 5 and you have your DBs line up 10ish yards off the ball? Why?? #USC @LincolnRiley pic.twitter.com/vfUuFhNV1a

— Lars McEntyre (@LarsBarzzz) November 5, 2023

Remember, when you criticize Alex Grinch, it was Lincoln Riley who insisted on keeping Grinch after last season

— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) November 5, 2023

Trojan fans can hope and pray for this Christmas gift: Lincoln Riley gets rid of Alex Grinch, hires a great new DC, and hands him the reigns of the defense in 2024. It would fire up the players, the fans, the recruits, transfer portal players, everyone. It makes too much sense.

— RichSC (@OriginalRichSC) November 5, 2023

Imagine Caleb Williams playing in any kind of neutral or positive game script. A simple 21-14 game.

I’m past the point of “fire Alex Grinch” and I’m to “fire Lincoln Riley.”

— Christian Williams (@CWilliamsNFL) November 5, 2023