Briefs

Suspended USC beat reporter reinstated

Lincoln Riley lifts suspension following phone discussion with the reporter.

A photo of USC head coach Lincoln Riley at USC's spring camp opener Tuesday. He's wearing a gray long-sleeve USC shirt and a white USC visor. He's holding notecards in each hand.
FILE - Head coach Lincoln Riley at USC's 2022 spring camp opener. (Photo by Nicole Shearin)

Coach Lincoln Riley reinstated Luca Evans, a previously suspended USC beat reporter for the Orange County Register and Southern California News Group, Thursday afternoon in a public statement.

“Last night, I received a call from Luca Evans, and we had very candid and productive conversation,” Riley said.

“We agreed that we both could have handled the situation differently. I appreciate Luca recognizing the policies we have in place to protect our student-athletes and acknowledging to adhere to those in the future. We welcome Luca back to practice and look forward to his continuing coverage of the Trojans.”

USC Football issued a two-week media access suspension to Evans Tuesday after he published an article with sourced quotes outside media availability. USC maintained the football program’s decision.