Lincoln Riley says he’s happy to be coaching USC.

Meeting with the media Wednesday, the beginning of the Early Signing Period, Riley was asked about being contacted for other jobs. Riley’s name was in the headlines earlier Wednesday when it was reported that UCF reached out to the coach about its opening.

“I told them, I’m a USC Trojan,” Riley said. “I’m at the place I want to be. It’s a non-starter, a non-issue. I’m home.”

Riley has completed 3 seasons at USC. The 2024 campaign, the Trojans’ first in the Big Ten, was the worst of the 3 so far. A bowl loss would give Riley his first losing season as a head coach.

Things started well for Riley at USC. The Trojans went 11-1 in the 2022 regular season and were ranked No. 4 entering the Pac-12 Championship Game. USC finished 11-3, dropping the conference title game to Utah and the Cotton Bowl to Tulane.

The 2023 season, Riley’s second, fell apart when the Trojans dropped 5 of their last 7 games to finish 8-5 after beginning the season ranked No. 6 with returning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.

This season, Riley’s Trojans went 6-6 in the regular season. USC endured a 3-game losing streak in October that put bowl eligibility in jeopardy. The Trojans were able to defeat cross-town rival UCLA for a 6th win before falling to Notre Dame. USC awaits its bowl assignment.

Riley has an 80-24 record as a head coach. He was 55-10 in 5 seasons at Oklahoma (2017-21).