USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley discusses the trojans defensive identity

Transcript

00:00One of the points of the spring for the one there for us was

00:03trying to add a linebacker that had some experience.

00:05We knew we had some youth and some talent, but from a depth perspective,

00:09we were hoping to have one more guy there that had played some ball.

00:15And maybe give us a little bit more of a sure thing in terms of an impact this year.

00:19So I'm excited to see him.

00:21Obviously, I had a chance to watch him here this summer, watch him run around.

00:24He's a new physical kid who's worked hard to learn our system and

00:29get to know our guys and certainly bring some good experience to the table.

00:33So yeah, we're going to work him, kind of hold that mic and

00:37we'll give him a chance to get a little more fun and see where he best fits.

00:42I've been impressed with him so far.

00:44Coach, how do you see this defensive identity?

00:47How do you envision it?

00:48How do you see it coming to fruition?

00:49What are some of the steps that you guys are taking as a coaching staff to

00:52ensure that that happens this season?

00:54Well, I think it is.

00:56It's really trying to graduate from drastically improved to really being dominant.

01:02And I think that's been the message for

01:05our guys is from a mentality standpoint, it's like be excited about the progress,

01:13but don't be near satisfied.

01:15And making sure that that mentality is in every single thing that we do.

01:21And whether it's whether it's practice, whether it's workouts, it's making sure that the people

01:26that come in new to our program, the new defensive players, some of the new coaches that they

01:30that they understand that and understand their role in taking this unit to the next level.

01:35Because I think the excitement is we all sense that opportunity.

01:38I mean, with the staff that we have, the players returning, the players we've added,

01:44the confidence that was built, like there's a there's a real opportunity here to go do this.

01:48And I think not just our defensive coaches and our defensive players, our entire programs

01:53are excited about that because that's where you win championships.

01:56It is cliche, but it is true.

01:57That is absolutely where you win championships.

02:00And obviously the excitement is there and now it's up to all of us to take it to the next level.