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 the historic James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home Visitor Center 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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“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 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 Sullivan's Steakhouse or visit Riley Home Museum, 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.
Countdown presenter Rachel Riley has been a TV regular for more than a decade, and is now embarking on a new challengeRachel Riley is an English television presenter, and is best known for co-hosting Channel 4's daytime puzzle show, Countdown.The maths graduate also features on the show's popular comedy spin-off, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.Born in Rochford and brought up in Southend-on-Sea, Rachel joined Countdown at the tender age of 22 after her mum encouraged her...
Rachel Riley is an English television presenter, and is best known for co-hosting Channel 4's daytime puzzle show, Countdown.
The maths graduate also features on the show's popular comedy spin-off, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
Born in Rochford and brought up in Southend-on-Sea, Rachel joined Countdown at the tender age of 22 after her mum encouraged her to do so in 2008.
Her passion for maths and science has also seen her appear on The Gadget Show on Channel 5, ITV's It's Not Rocket Science and Sky Sports' Friday Night Football.
Now, let's take a look at Rachel's life away from the popular Channel 4 gameshow as she joins the cast of Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters on ITV1, reports the Mirror.
In 2012, Rachel tied the knot with millionaire businessman Jamie Gilbert. The couple met while both were studying at the University of Oxford.
They briefly ended their relationship in 2009, before rekindling their romance in 2011 and settling down in Essex.
After 16 months, Rachel and Jamie parted ways, with the couple announcing their divorce while Rachel was competing in the 2013 season of Strictly Come Dancing.
Rachel later revealed that her various TV commitments had put a strain on their brief marriage.
"At that time, I was doing Countdown and The Gadget Show, so I was living in Essex, I was filming in Birmingham and in Salford, and then filming Strictly in Borehamwood, with a bit of It Takes Two in London," she shared with GQ at the time.
"I was getting three hours' sleep a night, trying to fit in all these things... All you want to do at that time is the dancing because you know you've got to do this thing in a few days."
The Countdown star went on to say that she was "still friends" with her ex-husband, stating: "It was the emotional distance that I needed to break away."
Rachel discovered a new love with professional dancer Pasha Kovalev, who was her partner during her stint on Strictly Come Dancing.
The pair became an item in 2014 and surprised their loved ones with a spontaneous Las Vegas wedding in 2019.
"So, we were never bothered about getting married, but then we just were like 'shall we just get married' once were were having the baby," Rachel previously disclosed to the Express.
"And actually, we had such a nice day. It was really lovely. But we only decided the week before."
Rachel and Pasha have since welcomed their two daughters, five-year-old Maven and three-year-old Noa, and frequently update fans on their lives through social media.
Rachel has been rumoured to be in a feud with her former Countdown colleague Anne Robinson.
The Weakest Link star previously admitted that she had left Countdown over a pay disagreement, and insisted on Rachel and Susie Dent's microphones being turned off.
Rachel then sparked rumours of a feud by admitting that Anne "might make you cry", before suggesting that the show's mood lightened once Anne had departed.
Anne has since denied any rift, explaining to The Telegraph: "It's just a story. Rachel was a bit talkative when I was interviewing the contestants but once we shut her up it was fine."
Rachel hit back at Anne's remarks in The Sun, saying: "If Anne needs to mention me for publicity, then good luck to her. I have the same opinion of her as most people do."
She added: "I don't pay any attention to what she says."
Countdown is available to stream on Channel 4 and Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters kicks off on ITV1 and ITVX on Monday, July 14 at 9pm
Rachel Riley has been a recognisable TV personality for over 10 years and she's about to take on her biggest challenge on ITV's Shark! Celebrity Infested WatersRachel Riley is an English TV presenter, who is best known for co-hosting Channel 4's daytime puzzle show, Countdown.The mathematics graduate also appears on the show's popular comedy spin-off, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.Rachel, who was born in Rochford and raised in Southend-on-Sea, first joined Countdown at...
Rachel Riley is an English TV presenter, who is best known for co-hosting Channel 4's daytime puzzle show, Countdown.
The mathematics graduate also appears on the show's popular comedy spin-off, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
Rachel, who was born in Rochford and raised in Southend-on-Sea, first joined Countdown at the age of 22 following encouragement from her mum in 2008.
Her interest in maths and science has also led her to appear on The Gadget Show on Channel 5, ITV's It's Not Rocket Science and Sky Sports' Friday Night Football.
Now, let's take a look at Rachel's life away from the popular Channel 4 gameshow as she joins the cast of Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters on ITV1.
Rachel married millionaire businessman Jamie Gilbert in 2012. The pair met while they were both studying at the University of Oxford.
They briefly called time on their relationship in 2009, before rekindling their romance in 2011 and settling down in Essex.
Rachel and Jamie separated after 16 months, with the couple announcing their divorce while Rachel was competing in the 2013 season of Strictly Come Dancing.
Rachel later explained that her various TV commitments ended up taking a toll on their short marriage.
"At that time, I was doing Countdown and The Gadget Show, so I was living in Essex, I was filming in Birmingham and in Salford, and then filming Strictly in Borehamwood, with a bit of It Takes Two in London," she told GQ at the time.
"I was getting three hours' sleep a night, trying to fit in all these things... All you want to do at that time is the dancing because you know you've got to do this thing in a few days."
The Countdown star went on to explain that Rachel was "still friends" with her ex-husband, adding: "It was the emotional distance that I needed to break away."
Rachel found love again with professional dancer Pasha Kovalev, who she was partnered with during her time on Strictly Come Dancing.
The couple got together in 2014, and surprised friends and family with a whirlwind Las Vegas wedding in 2019.
"So, we were never bothered about getting married, but then we just were like 'shall we just get married' once were were having the baby," Rachel previously told the Express.
"And actually, we had such a nice day. It was really lovely. But we only decided the week before."
Rachel and Pasha have since welcomed their two daughters, five-year-old Maven and three-year-old Noa, and often keep fans up to date with their lives via social media.
Rachel has been rumoured to be in a feud with her former Countdown co-star Anne Robinson.
The Weakest Link star previously revealed that she had quit Countdown over a pay dispute, and insisted on Rachel and Susie Dent's microphones being switched off.
Rachel then ignited feud rumours when she confessed that Anne "might make you cry", and that the show's atmosphere became more fun after Anne had left.
Anne has since denied a fall out between the pair. In May, she told The Telegraph: "It's just a story. Rachel was a bit talkative when I was interviewing the contestants but once we shut her up it was fine."
Rachel quickly responded to Anne's comment, telling The Sun: "If Anne needs to mention me for publicity, then good luck to her. I have the same opinion of her as most people do."
She added: "I don't pay any attention to what she says."
Countdown is available to stream on Channel 4 and Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters kicks off on ITV1 and ITVX on Monday, July 14 at 9pm
The temperature was still near 100 degrees outside when the celebration of Terry Riley’s 90?? birthday began Tuesday night in Roulette. The spirit of the night was set when flutist Claire Chase greeted the packed house from the stage and, in case Riley was watching the livestream of the performance from his current home in Japan, asked everyone to shout out “Happy Birthday!”Riley more than deserves the well wishes. He has been a remarkable figure across genres for more than 60 years. Call him a classical composer, a ...
The temperature was still near 100 degrees outside when the celebration of Terry Riley’s 90?? birthday began Tuesday night in Roulette. The spirit of the night was set when flutist Claire Chase greeted the packed house from the stage and, in case Riley was watching the livestream of the performance from his current home in Japan, asked everyone to shout out “Happy Birthday!”
Riley more than deserves the well wishes. He has been a remarkable figure across genres for more than 60 years. Call him a classical composer, a jazz pianist (with phenomenal chops), a rock musician, an experimentalist—all are correct. Riley has always thought of himself, though, as a shaman using music as a means to access metaphysical experiences, which places Riley both beyond and at the foundation of multiple genres and styles.
Tuesday night, it was Riley as composer, represented by a contemporary work and an early masterpiece. Chase played excerpts from his ongoing piece, The Holy Liftoff, then the Darmstadt New Music group organized what was their 22nd annual performance of In C.
The Holy Liftoff mixes notation and graphic elements, and Tuesday those included two graphic scores prepared by composer Samuel Clay Birmaher, who has created a 60-minute version of the work for Chase and JACK Quartet. The work is for solo flutist, a la Steve Reich’s Vermont Counterpoint, with the performer playing against pre-recorded tracks of various flutes, including the contrabass model, and bird calls. With a current total duration of about six hours—Riley continues to add to it—Chase played about 20 minutes of it.
This started with a slowly snaking modal melody, Chase playing with a beautiful tone that was so enormous it seemed bigger than possible for the instrument. Flowing seamlessly from one section of ideas to another, the music drew in Copland-esque melodies, jazz elements, even some neo-baroque phrases and cadences.
Chase and Riley seemed to be one person, the music enveloping and flowing through her so deeply and naturally that it was like experiencing a dialogue between the two, all through absolutely gorgeous sounds. This was also a vivid reminder of just how much energy is in Riley’s music. His shamanistic ideas are not candles-and-sandals clichés, but the vigorous physicality of music-making that can lift the performer and listener to another plane. Twenty minutes of The Holy Liftoff was not nearly enough, but it had to do, with In C waiting in the wings.
In C is one of the most important compositions since WWII, and also, in an important way, is an outlier in Riley’s career. It is the first minimalist piece, but Riley never thought of it as such. For him it was a shamanistic device for an ensemble, and his own composing and performing quickly moved into mesmerizing, exalted, dervish-like repetition. It is a single statement that has had an immeasurable impact.
The music is in 53 segments of music, some as small as a single note, for open instrumentation. With a constant downbeat pulse that Reich suggested, the musician play through each segment in order, with an open number of repeats. Duration and also complexity are open, one of the key features is that the musicians can play each segment in unison or canonically, so different ideas of counterpoint and structure appear during a performance.
For this event, Darmstadt assembled over three dozen musicians (Riley suggests around 35 is ideal), mixing winds, brass, keyboards, strings, percussion, and even electronics and vocalists, who sat up front. Their own physicality, and the consonants they used, added an even deeper humanism to a work that is one of the greatest examples of how musicians cooperate with each other.
In technical terms, this was not the most ideal performance of In C. Despite the excitement of the event, the tempo was on the moderate side, and while that may have created some nice open space, the sheer density of the instruments filled up every moment, swamping the listening that Riley asks each musician to take care with.
The percussionists also were often out of balance. He allows “improvised percussion in strict rhythm…if it is carefully done and doesn’t overpower the ensemble,” but the players’ rhythms were frequently nowhere near strict, and the drummer constantly overpowered the ensemble, especially at the end, when he continued playing briefly after the final downbeat.
But still this was a large group filled with the joy of channeling Riley, and that in turn filled the hall. At the end, with the singers linking hands and raising and lowering their arms in parallel with crescendoes and decrescendos, the spirit of celebration and the pleasures of working together lifted everyone.
USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley joined the program ahead of the 2022 college football season with high expectations. The program has yet to make the College Football Playoff under Riley, and are coming off a disappointing season.In 2024, the Trojans finished with a 7-6 record, going 4-5 in Big Ten conference play. Though the ...
USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley joined the program ahead of the 2022 college football season with high expectations. The program has yet to make the College Football Playoff under Riley, and are coming off a disappointing season.
In 2024, the Trojans finished with a 7-6 record, going 4-5 in Big Ten conference play. Though the team did earn and win a bowl game, it was Riley’s worst season with USC. Only winning four conference matchups and going on a three-game losing streak was not a good look for Riley, leading to the belief that he is on the hot seat.
Nov 18, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley during the first quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images / Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
There is a growing belief that if the Trojans do not turn things around in 2025, this could be it for Riley. The Herd host Colin Cowherd spoke to Fox Sports analyst and former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer about how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) is affecting college football. During the discussion, Cowherd explained how NIL will protect Riley’s job for a little while longer.
“You spend so much time raising the money to pay the players, you can’t buy out the coaches anymore,” Cowherd said. “Lincoln Riley, I know the number; he’s not going anywhere. There’s no way. They just spent $300 million on facilities. $18 million on NIL. He’s got an $80 million buyout. So I think NIL protects the staff. You probably get a year or two more than you used to.”
Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley greets quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) after scoring a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Riley’s buyout with USC was already a concern, but to add how much the school is spending on NIL, it makes it harder for the program to justify letting go of their current coach. Firing Riley could hurt the school financially more than it could help the program.
The USC Trojans football program will have a new facility set to open in 2026. This is a major investment being made in the team, and one of the reasons Riley took the USC job. With the money going into the new facilities, it is hard to imagine the program also would spend the money to let go of Riley.
Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley before the game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Riley and the Trojans have become one of the most successful programs to utilize NIL with recruiting. USC’s class of 2026 is ranked No. 1 in the nation and features 31 commits. 55 percent are in-state recruits, showing the Trojans' much-needed emphasis on recruiting. The recruitment has provided hope for the future of the program, and in part is due to NIL deals.
One of the reasons USC can bring in such a talented class is through NIL deals. Four-star edge Luke Wafle committed to the Trojans over the Ohio State Buckeyes through a reported bidding war. Ohio State made a late push by boosting their offer to Wafle, but the four-star recruit ended up choosing USC.
The Trojans are building an elite team and investing in them, which lessens the chances of the program letting go of Riley before the class joins the team. The incoming recruits are excited about what Riley and the team are building, and avoiding potential flips before the players sign will be crucial.
Sep 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts after a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
While the program may not want to spend the money on Riley’s buyout, that does not mean the coach is under any less pressure. While Riley’s job may be safe for the next year or two, USC must start turning things around, winning more in-conference games, and making a college football playoff push.
The USC Trojans will kick off the 2025 college football season on Aug. 29 against the Missouri State Bears.
Despite what many have considered a lackluster past two seasons at USC under Lincoln Riley, the Trojans’ football program has been scorching hot on the recruiting trail in 2026.As June kicks off, SC’s class is almost entirely filled — with 27 prospects to be exact — and it ranks No. 1 not just i...
Despite what many have considered a lackluster past two seasons at USC under Lincoln Riley, the Trojans’ football program has been scorching hot on the recruiting trail in 2026.
As June kicks off, SC’s class is almost entirely filled — with 27 prospects to be exact — and it ranks No. 1 not just in the Big Ten but nationally. That’s ahead of traditional powerhouses like Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, and LSU. Whether they’ll hold onto that lead through Signing Day depends on who else they land, and who their competitors bring in. But one thing is clear: Riley and his staff are recruiting at an elite level.
And according to On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong, there is no program more equipped to handle recruiting in the name, image and likeness era than the Trojans.
“There’s a lot of excitement around this program,” he said Monday during On3’s Wiltfong Whiparound show. “And in the NIL era, USC is as powerful as any program in the country right now.”
The most recent example of that is five-star tight end Mark Bowman, who committed to USC late last month over offers from Georgia, Texas, Ohio State, and more. The Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei product has been compared to ex-UGA star Brock Bowers and is the country’s No. 1 tight end.
USC had been considered a top contender for him, but the ramped-up pursuit and NIL offering pushed them to the top and got Bowman to commit before he took any other official visits.
“We haven’t gotten confirmation from any USC source or from Mark Bowman, but we’re told the NIL opportunity at USC could provide Bowman an opportunity to earn $8-10 million by the time he leaves USC after three years,” WeAreSC.com publisher Scott Schrader wrote after the Trojans landed Bowman.
In addition to Bowman, they’ve landed commitments from borderline five-star Elbert Hill, top-60 prospect Keenyi Pepe and four other top-100 recruits in this class. And that doesn’t include five-star cornerback RJ Sermons, who was committed for the class of 2026 but recently reclassified up to 2025.
With their 27 current commitments, the Trojans have eclipsed — and nearly doubled — the number of blue-chip (four- and five-star) pledges that they had a year ago. And Riley and Co. are still in on some more top targets as they look to build a massive class.
What that looks like down the road in a year or two once they’ve made their way to campus will be determined then, but the Trojans are no doubt turning heads with the changes they’ve made.
“It is so different with USC now. It has changed a lot over the last year and since they made changes,” Bowman told On3’s Chad Simmons before he committed. “They have been recruiting much harder the last few months. It is every day with USC now, and that has changed things for me with them. I like what the staff is doing, their energy and they are close to home, too.”
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