USC's blowout loss at Wisconsin deepens questions about Lincoln Riley's job security
USC dropped to two losses on the season after a 24-7 defeat at Wisconsin, a game in which the Trojans managed minus-17 rushing yards on 25 carries coming out of an open date. According to the report, Riley's buyout is estimated at around $70 million, yet questions are being raised about whether it costs USC more in the long run to retain him. Riley is now 41-20 in his fifth season and has gone 5-15 against top-25 opponents with the Trojans, and it has been widely reported this season that his position is not secure without a College Football Playoff appearance. With top-10 Ohio State, Indiana, and UCLA still remaining on the schedule, the path back into the CFP at-large conversation appears narrow.
Riley's contract is private, but despite a buyout estimated at around $70 million, according to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz , at what number does it cost the Trojans more to keep him?
Why it matters
For brands: Sponsors and collectives aligned with USC football face uncertainty if a costly coaching transition accelerates before the season ends.
For coaches: Riley's job status at USC is openly under scrutiny, illustrating how quickly a Power Four program can move toward a coaching change mid-season.
For collectives: A potential $70 million buyout would draw heavily on athletic department resources, affecting how much remains available for NIL and program investment.
Read the full story at CBS Sports
Sources
- CBS Sports · Brad Crawford: The time has come for USC to pony up and pay Lincoln Riley's buyout after bottom falls out against Wisconsin
- Yahoo Sports college football: Baylor’s first loss at Kansas in nearly 20 years seals Dave Aranda’s fate
- Yahoo Sports college football: ‘A new direction is necessary’: Oregon fires a coach after another loss