USC Coach Lincoln Riley Misses Practices, Status Uncertain for Cal Game

Trojans coach forced to stay at home with an illness, and it's unclear when he'll be able to return

USC head coach Lincoln Riley has been absent from practice the past two days because of illness, and it's unclear whether he will be able to travel to Berkeley for Saturday's game at Cal.

The nature of Riley's illness was not disclosed, but a spokesperson confirmed that Riley missed practices on Monday and Tuesday because of an ailment. Riley, 40, is remaining at home under doctor's orders.

USC wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons has been leading the team in Riley's absence. Simmons is the team's assistant head coach and he was on Riley's staff at Oklahoma as well as at USC.

According to ESPN, Simmons said following Tuesday's practice that Riley would be back as soon as he could, but could not specify when that might be. Riley's status is being described as "day-to-day."

If Riley is unable to travel to Berkeley this weekend, it's unclear who would call the offensive plays for the Trojans in Riley's absence.  It might be Simmons but that has not been confirmed.

Simmons said he talked to Riley earlier Tuesday.

"He's getting better," Simmons said, according to ESPN. "We're viewing this really as a player getting dinged up during the game or during practice, so the next guy is stepping up. We're holding it down until he's able to resume his duties."

USC officials apparently are trying to make senior offensive analyst Kliff Kingsbury available as an on-field assistant during Riley's absence. But the USC must go through some legal hoops to make that happen. Kingsbury was fired from his previous position as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, then joined the USC staff.

If USC is able to make Kingsbury an on-field coach, he might call the offensive plays for the Trojans if Riley is not available.

Riley is known for his intelligence as an offensive mind and offensive play-caller. The Trojans rank third in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 45.4 points a game, and are led by 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, who ranks fourth in the nation in passer rating and second in the country in touchdown passes, with 23.

USC (6-2 overall, 4-1 in the Pac-12) is riding a two-game losing streak with losses to Notre Dame and Utah. Ranked as high as No. 5 earlier this season, the Trojans are ranked 24th this week.

Cal (3-4, 1-3) has also lost two in row, falling to Oregon State and Utah before having a bye this past weekend.

Cover photo of Lincoln Riley is by Gary Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports

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