Lincoln Riley faces uncertainty at USC amid coaching speculation

The future of USC head football coach Lincoln Riley is facing scrutiny following a 24-7 road loss to unranked Wisconsin. While Riley holds a 10-year, $110 million contract with a reported buyout of $70 million, the program's recent performance has raised questions about his long-term tenure.

After an 11-win debut season in 2022, the Trojans have struggled to maintain national title contention, posting records of 15-11 over the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Despite a 2025 season that saw the team finish 20th in the AP poll, recent struggles against teams like Rutgers and Oregon, combined with the loss to Wisconsin, suggest a potential regression.

Speculation has emerged regarding potential coaching moves, including a hypothetical fit at Baylor due to Riley's Texas roots and coaching history at Texas Tech and Oklahoma. However, any transition would involve significant financial implications due to his existing contract.