Paul Finebaum Reveals Why Top College Football Coach Is Overrated

Year 1 at USC was a great success for Lincoln Riley, leading the team to its first 10+ win season since 2017 and helping star quarterback Caleb Williams win the Heisman Trophy.

In Year 2, things didn't go well for USC. Despite starting the season ranked No. 6 in the country, they finished with a disappointing 8-5 record, including losing five of their last seven games. This has led to criticism of Riley, with ESPN's Paul Finebaum being one of the critics.

Finebaum appeared on the Dan Patrick Show and further explained his criticism of Riley. He stated that he doesn't believe Riley is a great coach and that his success at Oklahoma was primarily due to inheriting a strong program.

"I don't think he's a great, elite coach," Finebaum said. "I know that pushback is, 'Look at what he did at Oklahoma,' I know what he did there. He inherited a masterpiece from Bob Stoops, and yes, he was able to maneuver and finesse Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray into Heisman Trophies and nearly got one for Jalen Hurts and did get one for Caleb Williams. It's really what he hasn't done that I think is so noteworthy."

Finebaum stated that Riley has not yet won a national championship or come close to winning one. He mentioned that this could be attributed to Riley neglecting the defensive side of the ball, going as far as saying that Riley has not been on "speaking terms" with defense during his career.

It's Riley's responsibility to demonstrate improvement in that aspect of the game, as well as his historic offensive achievements, to silence the skeptics.

Related: Analyst Makes Bold Proclamation About Lincoln Riley's Oklahoma Exit: 'Best Thing' Ever