USC Fans Chant 'Fire Lincoln' Amid Growing Frustration with Trojans Football
Calls for coach Lincoln Riley's dismissal grow louder following a close win over Washington, marked by numerous penalties and defensive lapses.
Chants of "Fire Lincoln" echoed through the stadium during USC's recent 25-21 victory over Washington, reflecting a growing frustration among Trojans football fans with head coach Lincoln Riley's tenure. Despite the win, the Trojans' performance was marred by costly penalties, defensive struggles, and offensive misplays, fueling concerns about the team's trajectory this season.
USC entered the 2026 season with high expectations, aiming for a College Football Playoff appearance and a return to national prominence. However, the team's early-season performance has fallen short of these aspirations. A significant loss to Oregon, characterized by a costly roughing-the-passer penalty that extended a game-winning drive for the Ducks, preceded the tense matchup against Washington.
During the game against the Huskies, USC's tackling effort was described as "awful" on a pivotal third-quarter touchdown play that extended Washington's lead. While the Trojans ultimately secured the win, aided by a strip-sack scoop-and-score, the game highlighted recurring issues.
Penalties continued to plague USC. In one instance, two separate illegal formation penalties nullified a potential touchdown and a significant gain, ultimately leading to a punt. Later in the game, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a dead ball pushed USC back and turned a manageable fourth-down situation into a punt. Another instance saw a receiver underthrow an open pass in the fourth quarter, leading to a punt when the team had an opportunity to extend its lead.
These recurring mistakes have led to increased scrutiny of Riley's coaching and program management. Despite significant investments in facilities and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) initiatives, USC holds a 5-1 record that is perceived by some as underwhelming, particularly with upcoming challenging games against elite opponents. The vocal dissatisfaction from the fanbase suggests that the status quo is no longer being accepted, even with Riley's substantial contract buyout.