Absolutely crazy that our fan base was eager to get Lincoln Riley and had to settle for Brian Kelly, when ultimately we’re fielding practically identical teams in Year 2. I’m not sure which coaching hire from that cycle is performing any better also, Napier is struggling at UF so far.
I think all Trojans fans' ire is squarely directed at Alex Grinch and his horrendous defense. I seriously cannot recall a worse defense at USC, and I've seen the defenses of (old and outmoded) Monte Kiffin, Clancy Pendergast, and Todd Orlando. I recall one year under Pete Carroll they had some jumped-up grad assistant by the name of Rocky Seto who was who woefully unqualified for the jerb, and that defense was pretty bad, with players openly displaying their lack of respect for their DC by deliberately getting 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalties, but the foundation laid by Carroll was still there and the defense, while bad by the standards of Pete Carroll, wasn't "We allow a touchdown every possession" kind of bad.
I was excited for Riley not just for the obvious reasons of his record at OU, but because of his youth and what I feel is his ability to grow into the job, become better, and possibly stay at SC for 15+ years like a McKay. I didn't want some 50+ year old who might only stay for 5 or so years before pining for the NFL. I kind of felt similar when young-ish Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian became SC's coach. They flamed out before reaching any sustained success here, but I think, a decade-plus forward, they've both become solid head coaches with more maturity and experience under their belts. I believe the same will happen with Riley, once he becomes more willing to cut loose underperforming assistants.
However, because USC's fan expectations have apparently upset him, (strange coming from a place like Norman, OK) it might be that Riley bolts for the NFL anyway, and leaves Grinch as the interim head coach!