Paul Finebaum has long had the ability to change or alter the narrative around college football programs and coaches. ESPN LA 710 host John Ireland wonders if Finebaum has that ability on the West Coast, too.
During Mason & Ireland Tuesday, a discussion was held about USC head coach Lincoln Riley and his subsequent failures leading the Trojans to a 7-5 record this season, John Ireland argued that Finebaum carries as much weight as anyone in the sport.
“Finebaum is the Dick Vitale of college football,” Ireland said. “He’s the biggest voice in college football that people pay attention to.”
Co-host Steve Mason called Finebaum the “spokesperson for the SEC”, while Ireland noted that Finebaum has the ability to make fans, boosters, and those associated with college programs to change their minds or shape the opinions of nearly anyone involved in the sport.
Ireland concluded by saying what Finebaum had to say about Riley — that he is a “fraud” and hid his deficiencies behind talents like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, and Caleb Williams — is something no one would have said about the USC coach three years ago.
He called Finebaum’s criticism of the situation fair.
