“Mad Dog” ripped Paul Finebaum to shreds.
on wednesday, Chris Russo appeared with Finebaum on ESPN’s “First Take.” Harry Douglas has been discussing USC coach Lincoln Riley, with the former WFAN host being a strong supporter of the Trojan football coach.
But Feinebaum said he believes Riley and the Trojans have been a “disaster” his first two years at the helm, with the Trojans compiling a 19-8 record during that span, including a 6-0 start in 2023, while USC has lost five of its final six regular season games.
But Russo, 64, didn’t think so and came to Riley’s fierce defence.
He vented his anger at the fact that Riley “did not inherit a good program.” [the Trojans] “It was awful.”
Finebaum fired back, arguing that Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, wasn’t playing to his full potential.
“He brought in the best players in the country and didn’t really get much done,” Finebaum said.
Russo was furious when he heard that.
“He won the Heisman! Where you win the Heisman,” Russo exclaimed.
He listed off the names of past Heisman Trophy winners who came from USC, including Marcus Allen, Charles White, O.J. Simpson, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush, then went on to offer a lengthy defense of the award’s meaning.
“When you talk about the Heisman Trophy at USC, it means everything. … They love the Heisman Trophy. And he brought the Heisman Trophy there. That matters! That matters!” Russo exclaimed.
Mr. Finebaum looked confused and questioned whether Mr. Russo’s measures of success were valid.
But Russo didn’t stop there.
“It’s a much better program than Oklahoma,” Russo said, referring to Riley’s time as head coach prior to USC. “You’d be amazed. Talk about Vanderbilt football.”
Reinert, one of the Heisman Trophy winners mentioned by Russo, became aware of the altercation and responded on social media.
He wrote to X“Listening to Finebaum talk about USC and Riley makes me sick. Dougie, I see you!”
USC joined the Big Ten this year and is looking to get off to a strong start in its new conference without Williams, who is now with the Bears.
