Lincoln Riley, USC, and the Notre Dame Rivalry: Why Keyshawn Johnson’s Frustration Struck a Nerve
Lincoln Riley is no stranger to pressure. But this time, the heat isn’t coming from inside the locker room or from an opposing sideline-it’s coming from one of USC’s most iconic voices.
Keyshawn Johnson, a Trojan legend and one of the most outspoken figures in college football, didn’t hold back in a recent interview when asked about the current state of USC’s program. His words were sharp, emotional, and deeply rooted in tradition. And they’ve stirred up a wave of reaction across the college football world.
At the heart of Johnson’s frustration is Riley’s reported hesitancy about continuing USC’s historic rivalry with Notre Dame. For Johnson-and for many Trojan fans-that rivalry isn’t just another game on the schedule. It’s a cornerstone of what it means to wear cardinal and gold.
“I don’t know what the f is going on with our athletic department,” Johnson said during the interview, clearly exasperated. “We got people in there that are not Trojans, that don’t know anything about being a Trojan, running our athletic department.
We got a head coach that knows nothing about being a Trojan. Why don’t we just not play football?
How about that?”
That’s not just a critique-it’s a shot across the bow.
Johnson went on to specifically call out Riley’s comments about the Notre Dame series: “That doesn’t make any sense. I grew up on the Notre Dame-USC rivalry… If I can remember correctly, I had Lincoln Riley talking about, well, I don’t know if I want to play them in the future. You ain’t gonna be here in the future.”
That last line hit hard with fans. It wasn’t just a jab-it was a gut punch that echoed across social media, where fans quickly jumped into the conversation.
And the reaction? Let’s just say Johnson didn’t find himself on an island.
One fan wrote, “He’s not wrong.” Another chimed in, “Pete Carroll wasn’t a Trojan, but he knew how to coach.”
That’s a key point-Carroll didn’t come from within the USC system, but he embraced the culture and elevated the program. That’s what many fans want to see from Riley: not just wins, but buy-in.
Other fans took the critique a step further, questioning Riley’s long-term vision and his ability to lead USC back to national prominence. One comment read, “He’s a great recruiter but can’t coach and the program is slipping.
Same critique of Jimbo at Texas A&M.” Another pointed to Riley’s decision to leave Oklahoma as the Sooners were preparing to enter the SEC: “Didn’t want the grind.
So happy he is at SC.”
There’s a common thread in all of this: a growing concern that Riley, despite his offensive acumen and recruiting chops, may not be the long-term answer for a program that measures success not just in wins, but in legacy. USC isn’t just any job-it’s a job steeped in tradition, rivalries, and expectations that go beyond the scoreboard.
And when it comes to tradition, few things matter more than the annual clash with Notre Dame. It’s a rivalry that spans generations, packed with Heisman moments, national title implications, and unforgettable finishes. For many, the idea of stepping away from that rivalry feels like a betrayal of everything USC football stands for.
Now, with the Trojans preparing for a matchup against TCU on December 31, all eyes are on Riley-not just to win, but to lead. The fanbase is restless, the alumni are vocal, and the pressure is mounting.
Riley doesn’t need to win over the locker room. He needs to win over the Trojan faithful. And that starts with understanding what USC football truly means to the people who’ve lived it, breathed it, and bled for it-people like Keyshawn Johnson.
Because at USC, it’s not just about beating your opponent. It’s about honoring the tradition. And right now, that tradition is demanding answers.