Malcolm Henry
What a weekend for USC.
The main headline is that the team has hired Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma. The move was massive for recruiting as the team finally limped to a finish with a 4-7 record on the season and only a 67th ranked class (by 247Sports), so a spark was needed.
The better headline is that the school had to issue an apology on behalf of its student section for chanting “Fvck the Mormons” during its loss to BYU.
Yes, USC lost to BYU, but was still dropping the “fvck the Mormons” chant.
“The offensive chant from our student section directed towards BYU during the football game last night does not align with our Trojan values,” the school said in a statement.
“It was distasteful and we apologize to the BYU program.”
Somehow there is not video of this. I have no idea how that is even possible in 2021, but whatever, apparently the chant was pretty audible and reps from both schools heard it — prompting the immediate statement.
Interestingly, current USC quarterback Jaxson Dart, is a member of LDS. No word if the school apologized to him.
As for the new coach, it is a homerun hire. It is also already paying dividends as six players from Oklahoma’s recruiting class have decommitted — including a five-star quarterback, who just happens to be from Los Alamitos in California.
“One of the things that attracted me most to OU, other than the rich history and amazing fans, was the stability in the coaching staff and their ability to develop the QB position,” Malachi Nelson wrote on Twitter. “In light of the recent events and changes, my family and I believe it’s best if I de-commit from OU at this time. … I’m not opening up my recruitment, I just want to see how everything transpires.”
Four-star linebacker Kobie McKinzie, four-star offensive lineman Demetrius Hunter and four-star defensive lineman Derrick Moore also decommitted in the aftermath.
Five-star receiver Brandon Inniss and four-star running back Treyaun Webb both re-opened their recruitment following the breaking news out of the Class of 2023.
Riley decided to take the vacant USC job after the school parted ways with Clay Helton earlier in the season.
“My time at OU has included some of the most special years of my life and my family’s lives. I had so many great memories and made so many great friends that we’ll take with us forever,” Riley said. “A lot of things that we were a part of here, I’m incredibly proud of — the success on the field, the success off the field, the players. Proud of the staff. Proud of the way we worked so well with the university and our administration. We’ve been able to have two phenomenal leaders in President Joseph Harroz Jr. and Joe Castiglione, and they have been everything I could ever ask for in this role and more.”
