USC shared statements from six of its head coaches on Sunday about the Trojans’ announced move to the Big Ten in 2024, including comments from soccer coach Lincoln Riley.
“President Folt, Mike Bohn and Brandon Sosna are fully aligned with the vision of what our athletic department can be while always putting our student-athletes first. This move to the Big Ten Conference positions all of our teams for success on long term,” said Riley. “It provides our student-athletes with greater exposure, new resources and challenges them with elite competition. USC Football is excited to participate in the Big Ten.”
Riley had also tweeted about the news on Thursday.
USC also sent statements from five other coaches about the Big Ten move:
Men’s Basketball Coach Andy Enfield: “While we have a great history and success within the Pac-12, moving to the Big Ten provides a vastly expanded platform and more opportunities for our student-athletes and our program. USC has always had a national brand and this move will players improved awareness and presence across the country. It will also create exciting new rivalries, while maintaining our big city rivalry with UCLA.”
Women’s Basketball Coach Lindsay Gottlieb: “This move is a bold one that will create unprecedented opportunities for our student athletes to have fame and competition from coast to coast. There is no doubt that the USC brand is one of the most powerful in the country, and this is a university who is ready to make groundbreaking changes. I look forward to a new and exciting future for our women’s basketball players.”
Women’s Volleyball Coach Brad Keller: “This is an exciting time for our program, even if it has some bittersweet undertones. I grew up in the neighborhood and worked for many years within the Pac-12 footprint and for Pac-12 schools, so it’s a conference that is close and dear to me. But the opportunity and competition that this move to the Big Ten offers our student athletes is truly exciting. We have long held the highest standards in both academics and athletics for our program and are confident that the Big Ten is a great match for the student-athlete experience we want to provide. Ultimately, it’s about the student-athlete and the growth of the young women we have to coach, so it’s exciting to see the commitment our administration has made to further those goals through this move.”
Athletics and Cross Country Director Quincy Watts: “It’s a new era and I’m excited to join the Big Ten and all the opportunities it will bring to our student-athletes. We look forward to the greater exposure of our program and our great university.”
Swimming coach men and women Lea Maurer: “I’ve spent much of my life competing and coaching in the Pac-12, so this change is emotional for me. I’m excited to see what things will look like in the Big Ten; new places, new people and new rivalry that will motivate and stimulate me and my team. We get to write a new chapter for Trojan Swimming and Diving, and we can’t wait to get started.”