USC coach is leaving, but unfortunately it’s not Lincoln Riley

If you’re a USC football fan, you probably want Lincoln Riley gone. Whether it’s right or not, whether it’s fair or not, our assessment is that most USC fans want a change at the top of the football program. The last two seasons have been a disaster, and it seems far from certain that USC will get back to a 10- or 11-win standard in 2025. USC fans aren’t wrong for wanting Riley gone, but regardless of your own opinion on the matter, the reality is that the fan base is tilted against him right now. So the news that a USC coach is leaving the program raises hopes that it is Riley who is packing his bags. Sorry, guys. Another coach left USC on Wednesday: Matt Entz took over as head coach at Fresno State.

Matt Entz praised Eric Gentry in a farewell tweet. He thanked him for his time at USC. To be clear, this should in no way be viewed as an example of Entz being upset or unhappy with USC. This isn’t a case of a disgruntled coach leaving a program or his players. We need to be clear on this point and talk about what this means for USC football before the offseason and the combination of the early signing period and the transfer portal window.

JAHKEEM STEWART NEWS

If you’re worried about the state of USC’s program and defense in 2025 with Matt Entz departing, don’t worry: Eric Henderson is on the move, signing Jahkeem Stewart to significantly strengthen the Trojans’ roster. This, not Entz, is the big story in the Wednesday news cycle.

ERIC GENTRY IMPROVEMENT

Eric Gentry’s emergence as an elite linebacker under Matt Entz’s leadership shows just how good Entz is. Entz made very good use of his year at USC and it is unfortunate that Gentry was injured against Wisconsin in late September. Entz improved what he had. One can be assured that D’Anton Lynn can find and hire a suitable replacement at linebackers coach.

D’ANTON LYNN

We mentioned D’Anton Lynn above. Does anyone think Lynn can’t come to terms with Matt Entz’s departure? Lynn is a professional on the defensive side of the ball. The USC defense did really well as it prepared for the injuries and attrition that limited the unit over the course of the season. As long as recruiting hits its targets, the USC defense is expected to be better under Lynn. It can survive the departure of Matt Entz.

LINCOLN RILEY

Lincoln Riley took sufficient care of USC’s defense with his recruiting efforts last December and January. Matt Entz’s departure is not a sign of USC weakness. It was always clear that Entz wouldn’t stay at USC long. This move reinforces the need for Riley to focus on offense while D’Anton Lynn looks for an Entz replacement. Riley needs a better offensive line, receiver and quarterback than he has in 2024.

MATT ENTZ REALITY

Matt Entz made no secret of the fact that in conversations with other people in the industry, he was told that his lack of FBS coaching experience was something he needed to put on his resume. Entz was a national team head coach at the FCS level with North Dakota State. He went to USC to get FBS experience. He got it. He left to take a head coaching job at FBS. None of this should be surprising. None of this should surprise anyone. This was the path Entz pursued.

RILEY RUMORS

Matt Entz is out. It’s not Lincoln Riley. However, UCF has reportedly conducted research into Riley becoming the Knights’ new head coach. Will other schools target Riley? This is one of the fascinating aspects of the coaching carousel. If something develops, we will mention it and discuss it. Stay tuned.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC coach is leaving, but unfortunately it’s not Lincoln Riley