The USC Trojans have a new coach in Lincoln Riley and former Trojans quarterback Matt Leinert is just as surprised as the rest of us.
The Heisman Trophy winner appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday to discuss the new USC head coach and figured the Pac-12’s rebuilding powerhouse program had its sights set on someone else. That said, he wasn’t surprised to see the school make a big move like this.
"USC made it a point to get a lot of feedback from former players such as myself.. I was shocked when they got Lincoln Riley because I heard days before it was gonna be Matt Campbell" ~@MattLeinartQB#PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/nk938Mc11Z
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 1, 2021
“They had Lincoln on the radar from day one,” Leinart said. “I was shocked, to be honest with you, I thought it was going to be Matt Campbell. I was hearing the rumors the day before that Matt Campbell is probably the guy, which I would have been happy with, he’s a really good football coach.”
The move to Riley has already started paying off. The Trojans received a verbal commitment from five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson.
BREAKING: Five-Star QB Malachi Nelson has Committed to USC!
The 6’3 180 QB from Los Alamitos, CA is ranked as the No. 2 player in the 2023 class (#2 QB)
Nelson is Lincoln Riley’s first recruit to commit to commit to the Trojans as the head coach of USC. pic.twitter.com/eHTHLTSR0K
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 30, 2021
Leinart also said that he thinks Riley will be able to turn USC back into the must-see program that it used to be when he played there.
"Lincoln Riley will sell out the Coliseum next year.. that place will be full next year" ~@MattLeinartQB#PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/EJEHwIWLTA
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 1, 2021
“You win, fans love you,” said Leinart. “Especially at a place like USC…USC has to be good, fans will show up. Lincoln Riley will sell out the Coliseum next year. that place will be full next year.”
When the Trojans were among the best teams in the nation, the Coliseum was rocking and USC was the toast of Los Angeles. If Riley can live up to the hype, they might just get back to that once more.