LOS ANGELES (AP) Coaching changes in the Pac-12 are a given, but it is rare when it happens to three of the most recognizable programs in the conference.
Such is the case with Southern California, Oregon, and Washington, which have new coaches on the sideline this season. The schools have won five of the last six conference titles.
”It’s interesting and unique. That’s what makes it fun,” Washington offensive lineman Jaxson Kirkland said during the conference’s media day on Friday. ”Now we have a whole bunch of different teams and schemes coming around. It will be cool to see everyone getting after each other.”
USC made waves last December when it convinced Lincoln Riley to leave Oklahoma. After Mario Cristobal left Oregon for Miami, the Ducks tabbed Dan Lanning, the defensive coordinator at Georgia.
The most significant upheaval has been at Washington, where Kalen DeBoer is the Huskies’ third coach in four seasons. DeBoer was at Fresno State.
The coaching changes haven’t changed preseason expectations. The media picked Utah to defend its conference title, with Oregon second, USC third and Washington sixth.
Riley faces the most pressure to produce immediately after leading the Sooners to a 55-10 record in five seasons and two appearances in the College Football Playoff. Pressure is routine for Riley, who was 33 when he succeeded Bob Stoops at Oklahoma.
USC was picked by the media to win the Pac-12 South last year, but went 4-8 and fired Clay Helton two games into the season.
”If there’s no pressure, then you probably don’t have the same opportunities others do. You’ve got to see the opportunity. If you do it well, anything is possible,” Riley said. ”This is one of those programs and one of those cities. If you do it well, the sky’s the limit.
”You don’t come to USC or Los Angeles to do things small.”
With a huge assist from the transfer portal, Riley was able to rebuild the Trojans for a conference title run this season. Quarterback Caleb Williams also came from Oklahoma, while running back Travis Dye transferred from Oregon and Biletnikoff Award-winning wide receiver Jordan Addison from Pittsburgh.
Williams said he hadn’t noticed much change since Riley moved to the West Coast.
”I think he might wear some flip-flops more often, but other than that, he hasn’t really changed much. He stays him, and that’s what you love about coach,” Williams said.
This is the first head coaching job for Lanning, who was on Georgia’s staff the last four…