USC coach Lincoln Riley away from team, practice due to illness

Lincoln Riley has not been with his USC football team for the first two practices of the week while resting at home on doctor's orders, a USC spokesperson said Tuesday. In his stead, receivers coach Dennis Simmons, who also holds the title of assistant head coach, has taken on whatever extra responsibilities have been needed, while USC is working with compliance to get senior offensive analyst Kliff Kingsbury elevated to full-fledged assistant coach in the interim of Riley's absence. Simmons talked with media after USC's Tuesday practice and downplayed the significance of Riley's absence.