It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Riley County Historical Museum in Riley, IN gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Riley, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“They offer a wide range of services with professional, organized individuals willing to help care”
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“best people at there”
“Great staff!! Caring people!”
“I think it’s one of the best companies there’s always someone ready and willing to go help people with great attitudes! Anyone that wants to live at home but needs a little extra help should definitely get someone from this company at your home to help out!”
“Working for Always Best Care has been very rewarding for me to help others in need. Whatever my questions may be or any help I need as a health care provider for my client they have always came through with help.”
“Very compassionate caregivers!”
“Great staff. Well trained and kind people.”
“The Beache’s Family are great people and I would trust my mom’s well- bean in their hands”
“Natalia has experience taking care of people with Alzheimer and I would be very trust my dad’s safety if they taking care of him.”
“They offer a wide range of services with professional, organized individuals willing to help care for members of your family.”
“Exceptional staff and very caring. I know my loved ones are taken care of which gives me a peace of mind. Definitely recommend!”
“Mr. and Mrs. Beach are the owners of this location, and they are some of the most caring and dedicated people I have ever met. They truly want to help people get the best care for their loved ones. My grandmother would have loved to have care like this.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Riley Park Splash Pad in Riley, IN with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Eddie Merlot's or visit Goodnow House State Historic Site, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Riley, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Riley, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Riley, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
USC coach Lincoln Riley has a record of 41-19 with the Trojans. Apparently, that is not good enough for one NCAA analyst . At 6-1, the Trojans have a manageable path to a conference title and playoff berth.More VideosUSC head coach Lincoln Riley has the Trojans at 6-1, and they are on a two-game winning streak. Riley has a 41-19 record at USC.In a story by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, Feldman listed coaches whose seats were “hot.” Riley was on his list.Come on, Bruce!R...
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USC head coach Lincoln Riley has the Trojans at 6-1, and they are on a two-game winning streak. Riley has a 41-19 record at USC.
In a story by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, Feldman listed coaches whose seats were “hot.” Riley was on his list.
Come on, Bruce!
Riley is a man who has won 68 percent of his games at USC. That is better than former USC head coaches Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian, and Clay Helton.
Under Riley, the Trojans are playing well enough, despite a loss to Oregon, to keep a Big Ten title within their grasp.
What will cement their conference title and playoff aspirations, and keep Riley in the good graces of anakysts and keep USC relevant?
First, The Trojans will travel to Wisconsin on Saturday, which will be tough environment. That is a winnable game.
Then, Riley needs to coach the games of his career and win 2-3 of the matchups against the ranked opponents left on their schedule.
Of the five teams left on the schedule, three are currently residing in the top ten of the AP Top 25 poll.
In two weeks, USC will host No. 3 Ohio State. That matchup is now more of a winnable game for the Trojans, now that quarterback Julian Sayin is injured and out for several weeks.
Then the Trojans will take another bye week before they travel to take on No. 6 Indiana. The Hoosiers lost to Ohio State last Saturday.
That was Indiana’s first loss since losing to Notre Dame in the playoffs in 2024.
USC will close out the regular season with their annual meeting with No. 9 UCLA.
Bob Chesney, a Curt Cignetti protégé, has the Bruins undefeated and playing their best football since their 9-4 season of 2022. UCLA is the home team in this one at the Rose Bowl.
Feldman thinks USC defensive coordinator Gary Patterson has “struggled mightily.” Actually, the Trojans are ranked No. 32 in the FBS in rushing defense at 111 yards per game.
USC held Penn State on the road to less than 100 yards rushing and just under two yards per carry.
The Trojans are ranked No. 24 nationally in opponents’ third downs conversions at 32 percent. This is very respectable.
During their two-game winning streak, USC held Washington and Penn State to eight percent and 16 percent, respectively.
Further, the right combination of veterans and true freshmen has worked amazingly for the Trojans defense over the first seven weeks.
Rumors around the water cooler abound that those close to program are not sure that Riley is right coach to lead USC to the promised land.
Ok. Say for arguments’ sake that the university agrees to fire Riley. They will owe him in the neighborhood of a $70 million buyout.
However, if you wait a year, and USC wins a Big Ten title and a berth in the CFP, does that earn Riley some respect and a pass?
Yes, it does.
The path to a championship has a couple of hurdles, but it is navigable.
And the way that Riley has his team playing through seven weeks, they are talented enough to clear those hurdles.
To say that Riley’s coaching seat is hot is simply wrong.
The USC football game at Penn State contains so many rich plot points and storylines. One is that Penn State's defensive coordinator spent the past two seasons at USC under Lincoln Riley. Now, D'Anton Lynn will go up against Riley in a fascinating chess match. We talked to Nittany Lions Wire lead writer Kevin McGuire about D'Anton Lynn so far at Penn State this season:"I'm not ready to say the scheme of D'Anton Lynn is to blame yet, because it played so well in the first few weeks of the season in tuning up for Big Ten play,"...
The USC football game at Penn State contains so many rich plot points and storylines. One is that Penn State's defensive coordinator spent the past two seasons at USC under Lincoln Riley. Now, D'Anton Lynn will go up against Riley in a fascinating chess match. We talked to Nittany Lions Wire lead writer Kevin McGuire about D'Anton Lynn so far at Penn State this season:
"I'm not ready to say the scheme of D'Anton Lynn is to blame yet, because it played so well in the first few weeks of the season in tuning up for Big Ten play," McGuire told us. "And it was pretty goo against Wisconsin and forced three turnovers against the Badgers before just running out of gas on an ineffective night from the offense. But last week was jarring as it looked like Penn State's defense just didn't know how or want to tackle the way we have come to expect from Penn State defenses of the past. Of course, it is worth noting Northwestern offensive coordinator Chip Kelly was well aware of Lynn's defensive styling too, and that didn't help. That actually concerns me this week too."
McGuire brings up a very interesting point. D'Anton Lynn coached under Chip Kelly at UCLA before moving to USC. Lincoln Riley will know what D'Anton Lynn likes to do on defense, but Lynn knows what Riley likes to do on offense. Which man's understanding of the other's habits and tendencies will prove to be superior in this game? It's amazing that Riley's USC tenure hangs in the balance and could hinge upon whether he can solve his former assistant coach's defensive game plan. What a subplot to the larger battle between the Trojans and Nittany Lions.
Contact/Follow on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on to follow ongoing coverage of news, notes and opinion.
It’s become pretty obvious that the New York Yankees want to offload the contract of Ryan McMahon, which has one year remaining of a 6-year, $70 million pact.McMahon wasn’t even close to league average in 2026 and was virtually unplayable against LHP, so it’s a bit of a bizarre suggestion that McMahon should be traded to the Atlanta Braves?? Who are already paying Austin Riley A LOT of cash??Weird, but recently, FanSided.com’s Stephen Parello curated three bold trades for the Yankees to make involving Ry...
It’s become pretty obvious that the New York Yankees want to offload the contract of Ryan McMahon, which has one year remaining of a 6-year, $70 million pact.
McMahon wasn’t even close to league average in 2026 and was virtually unplayable against LHP, so it’s a bit of a bizarre suggestion that McMahon should be traded to the Atlanta Braves?? Who are already paying Austin Riley A LOT of cash??
Weird, but recently, FanSided.com’s Stephen Parello curated three bold trades for the Yankees to make involving Ryan McMahon, and shockingly, the Braves pop up on the list:
“First, the financials. As we know, McMahon has one year and $16 million left on his deal, while Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy is owed $30 million over the next two seasons. That imbalance should net the Yankees a lottery ticket prospect or two. The Braves have numerous long-term contracts that haven’t panned out, and McMahon could serve as a hedge against one of their bigger misses, Austin Riley, who signed a 10-year, $212 million extension ahead of the 2023 season and is coming off a .219/.290/.364 line in 2026.”
Paying $16 million as a hedge to a player you’re paying $20+ million a year is a weird bet, but to be fair to Parello, he did not note these were bold predictions.
More MLB on Heavy: Atlanta Braves Trade Prediction Offloads Ronald Acuña Jr. to Red Sox for Jarren Duran, 2 Players
The New York Yankees understand that they likely can’t get much in return for Ryan McMahon, so what Parello is actually suggesting is that the Braves trade Sean Murphy to the Yankees for McMahon, and in return, both organizations get off one of their bad contracts.
The Braves don’t necessarily have a DH at the moment, and perhaps McMahon could fit in with the Braves as a defensive-first 3B, and if the Braves wanted to play with matchups/platoons, Riley could get some more starts at DH.
However, undoubtedly, it would put Austin Riley in a tough spot, especially after coming off a really rough season at the plate.
More MLB on Heavy: 6-Player Trade Proposal Sends James Wood, CJ Abrams to Los Angeles Dodgers for Massive Haul
Both Ryan McMahon and Austin Riley had poor 2026 campaigns, and perhaps the speculation and rumors surrounding both of their names are warranted.
Ryan McMahon batted .213 in 2026 with 11 home runs, 41 RBI, and an OPS+ of 76.
Riley in 2026? The 2X MLB All-Star third baseman batted .219 with 19 home runs, 124 hits, and an OPS+ of 80.
Both were bad, so perhaps this idea isn’t totally far-fetched, but if the Braves were to even consider trading for McMahon, it might cause a bit of a problem with Austin Riley.
More MLB on Heavy: Philadelphia Phillies Predicted to Trade for Dodgers World Series Champion
covers the MLB for Heavy. TJ is a graduate of the University of Georgia. He has 2+ years of writing experience. Follow TJ French on X: @tj_french5 More about TJ French
Will Lincoln Riley be fired? It seemed uncertain entering the 2026 college football season, with Southern California's storied program viewed as a top-15 team with a star quarterback. After five games and so much evidence of nothing changing, it's clearly time for a USC Trojans coaching search.Let's dive into our list of Trojans coaching candidates who could replace Riley.The Boise State Broncos have looked far more competitive head-to-head against Oregon under head coach Spencer Danielson than USC has with Lincoln Riley. Boise...
Will Lincoln Riley be fired? It seemed uncertain entering the 2026 college football season, with Southern California's storied program viewed as a top-15 team with a star quarterback. After five games and so much evidence of nothing changing, it's clearly time for a USC Trojans coaching search.
Let's dive into our list of Trojans coaching candidates who could replace Riley.
The Boise State Broncos have looked far more competitive head-to-head against Oregon under head coach Spencer Danielson than USC has with Lincoln Riley. Boise State went into Eugene on Sept. 5 and lost 34-27 and that came two years after the program lost a 37-34 heartbreaker at Autzen Stadium to the Ducks. Danielson, a California native, took over at Boise State late in the 2023 campaign after Andy Avalos was let go and the program went 3-1 to close out the year. The Broncos followed that up with a 12-2 mark in 2024 and made the College Football Playoff. He's helped Boise State maintain that success even after Ashton Jeanty left for the NFL, earning his third consecutive Mountain West championship this past season. The former defensive coordinator brings a background that provides much-needed change to USC and it would only cost the program a $3.5 million buyout to poach him from Boise State. This would be a bit of a gamble for the Trojans, but it's an affordable one and Danielson's West Coast recruits make it an even better fit.
The SMU Mustangs football program is on the rise again with boosters starting to pour more money into the team and facilities all thanks to head coach Rhett Lashlee. Lashlee, age 43, landed his first head-coaching job in 2022 after successful stints as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at SMU and with Miami. Prior to his arrival, Southern Methodist University hadn't experienced consecutive seasons with double-digit wins since the Bobby Collins era in the early 1980s. In 2023, his second year on the job, Lashlee got the Mustangs (11-3) into the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history. He followed that up with a 9-4 campaign this past year. It would be tough for most programs to pry Lashlee away from SMU, but the team's loss to Louisville this year and some of its defeats in 2025 show that he might never have the quantity of high-end talent needed to take this program to the next level. USC has those resources and can provide Lashlee with the money he needs to build a great coaching staff and fill out his roster with the depth he needs on both sides of the ball to compete each year for a playoff spot.
Similar to Dan Lanning a few seasons ago, it's going to take a marquee Power 4 program with deep pockets and a great recruiting pipeline to land Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann. The Georgia native worked under Nick Saban (2008-2014) and then followed Kirby Smart to Athens when he was named the program's head coach in 2016. By 2019, Schumann became co-defensive coordinator and he got the title all to himself when Lanning left for Oregon. Schumann can absolutely revitalize USC's defense, bringing it to the level necessary to compete with the best teams in the Big Ten Conference. He also boasts a great track record when it comes to recruiting, both at Alabama and now Georgia. There would be the obvious risk with this hire, given he has no head-coaching experience and his success has all come under two of the greatest college football coaches of the modern era. It can still be a worthwhile gamble for USC.
It wouldn't be a proper list of Trojans coaching candidates without Kalani Sitake. The BYU Cougars head coach seemed destined to take over at Penn State before Crumbl CEO Jason McGowan stepped in with an offer that Sitake couldn't refuse. It's worth wondering if BYU's boosters might step up again if USC came calling. Sitake, the reigning Big 12 Coach of the Year, carries a great resume of success on the defensive side of the ball at Utah and Oregon State. As the Cougars' head coach, he's delivered four seasons with double-digit wins and will likely earn his fifth in 2026. If the Trojans are willing to get into a bidding war with the increasingly deep pockets at BYU, Sitake would be a home-run hire and an immediate upgrade over Riley.
Can anyone pull Arizona State Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham away from his alma mater? Winning Big 12 Coach of the Year and a conference title in 2024 looks a bit more impressive a few years later seeing Sam Leavitt's passing struggles at LSU. Dillingham delivered again in 2025, somehow posting an 8-3 record despite Jeff Sims having to become his starting quarterback and No. 1 wide receiver Jordyn Tyson's year being derailed by a hamstring injury. Dillingham has an extensive coaching pipeline from his stints at Auburn, Florida State and Oregon to build a quality coaching staff, too. Most importantly, he might no longer have to campaign as hard to boosters and alumni to open up their checkbooks if he goes to USC. We'd love the fit in Southern California for Dillingham, it's simply a question of if he'd leave his home to become the Trojans' head coach.
The animosity toward Lincoln Riley is almost… unheard of. His 39-19 record with the USC Trojans doesn't measure well against his ten-year, $110 contract. Sure, he won games, but those were essentially against weaker programs that never really posed them any threat in the first place.It goes without saying that fans are upset and want the head coach out. Discussions about his replacements are in full swing, though they are all hypothetical as of now."The guy I think would be a name to watch, and I'm like, 'this would...
The animosity toward Lincoln Riley is almost… unheard of. His 39-19 record with the USC Trojans doesn't measure well against his ten-year, $110 contract. Sure, he won games, but those were essentially against weaker programs that never really posed them any threat in the first place.
It goes without saying that fans are upset and want the head coach out. Discussions about his replacements are in full swing, though they are all hypothetical as of now.
"The guy I think would be a name to watch, and I'm like, 'this would probably be a good fit for USC,' is Kalani Sitake," national college football insider Bruce Feldman said on . "Kalani is the polar opposite of Lincoln Riley in every way as a head coach. This is the one who is most opposite of Lincoln."
Feldman was in conversation with Stewart Mandel, The Athletic's editor-in-chief for college football. The two weighed in on Riley's hot seat that grows hotter with each game. Feldman, a veteran reporter for The Athletic, has championed Sitake not just for his record but for his character, which, in his opinion, will bridge the gap with the team and its distancing supporters. But there's an issue.
Last year, Sitake turned down the Penn State Nittany Lions to stay with the BYU Cougars, his alma mater. In doing so, he turned his back on a significant salary hike. Think more than $10 million per year. For context, that is way higher than the $4 million per year at BYU.
Sitake made his choice while he was racing for the Big 12 championship against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in December.
"If I'm being honest, I just wanted to be here a long [time]," Sitake said after discussing his extension at BYU. "It's hard to leave when you have something so special, and you have amazing people that support us."
In an era where NIL and result-based indicators dictate college football, Sitake often flies under the radar for the team and culture he built. The Cougars ended with an 11-1 regular season record last year after a long battle. Sitake is precisely what the Trojans are lacking. Here's why:
Riley hasn't been able to pull off a decent culture at USC so far. After the Desman Stephens penalty hit towards USC's Dante Moore, many people noticed that Riley's player was celebrating while Moore was unconscious and wheeled out of the field. The part that was more frustrating was that Riley did not intervene during the game.
"He is a guy who exudes toughness and physicality," Feldman further said about Sitake. "He is a former fullback. His teams always play hard and physical. The other thing about him is this cool dichotomy where he is a really warm, and engaging beloved figure. He is super comfortable in his own skin. And all of that other stuff is kind of where I feel like Lincoln ends up turning people off."
While Feldman did not point to a specific instance, most recently, Riley chastised his team for losing to the Oregon Ducks in a way that could be perceived as evading responsibility. This was also when the Ducks took a dig at his most talked-about moment of the season. When the Coliseum was sparsely filled, with little-to-no Trojans fans in sight for their season-opener, Riley called the chatter a "false narrative" fabricated by bitter enemies who have never stepped inside the stadium.
The growing dissonance between Riley and the Trojans fans, and their shared connection, made Kalen DeBoer another candidate for his succession. USC athletic director Jen Cohen and DeBoer go way back, when Cohen hired him at Washington a couple of years ago. The head coach turned things around and led the Huskies to the playoffs before departing to Alabama.
But it doesn't end here.
Spencer Danielson (Boise State Broncos head coach) is another name that has been thrown around. His team looked a lot more competitive against Oregon than Riley's team, after all.
Rhett Lashlee (SMU Mustangs head coach) can also be considered, after the school has shown a rise. They have been upgrading facilities and putting much more efforts in the team since Lashlee's arrival. However, as a team, USC already has the resources the coach will need.
Kenny Dillingham (the Arizona State Sun Devils head coach) might be considered, though it would be tough to snatch him from his alma mater. He has previously worked with Auburn, Florida State, and Oregon, and knows how to build quality staff and a great team.
All that said, the season is just picking up heat, but Riley's future is certainly at stake here. Only time will tell what happens ahead.
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