Lincoln Riley releases statement on USC's move to the Big Ten

USC shared statements from six of its head coaches Sunday regarding the Trojans' announced move to the Big Ten in 2024, including comments from football coach Lincoln Riley.

"President Folt, Mike Bohn and Brandon Sosna have been completely 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 long-term success," Riley said. "It provides our student-athletes with more exposure, new resources and challenges them with elite competition. USC Football is excited to compete in the Big Ten."

Riley had also previously tweeted about the news on Thursday.

USC also sent out statements from five other coaches regarding the Big Ten move:

Men's basketball coach Andy Enfield: "Although we have great history and successes within the Pac-12, the move to the Big Ten provides a greatly increased platform and more opportunities for our student-athletes and our program. USC has always had a national brand and this move will give our players enhanced exposure and a presence across the entire country. It will also create exciting new rivalries, while maintaining our great crosstown 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 exposure and competition from coast to coast. There's no question that the USC brand is one of the most powerful in the country, and this is a university that is willing to make groundbreaking change. I look forward to our women's basketball players having a new and exciting future."

Women's volleyball coach Brad Keller: "This is an exciting time for our program even though it comes with some bittersweet undertones. I grew up around and have worked many years within the Pac-12's footprint and for Pac-12 schools, so it is a conference that is near and dear to me. However, the opportunities and competition that this move to the Big Ten affords our student-athletes is truly exhilarating. We've long held the highest standards in both academics and athletics for our program and feel strongly that the Big Ten is a great match for the student-athlete experience we aim to provide. In the end, it is about the student-athlete and the growth of the young women we are charged with coaching, so it is exciting to see the commitment that our administration has made to further those goals through this move."

Director of track and field and cross country Quincy Watts: "It's a new day and age, and I'm excited to be joining the Big Ten and all the opportunities it will provide for our student-athletes. We look forward to the enhanced exposure for our program and our great university."

Men's and women's swimming coach Lea Maurer: "I've spent a lot 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 rivalries that will motivate and energize me and my team. We get to write a new chapter for Trojan swimming and diving, and we can't wait to get started.”