Joel Klatt Reveals Massive Price Tag Keeping USC From Firing Lincoln Riley

USC's 2026 college football season began with a disappointing 41-27 loss to Oregon Ducks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday. The defeat was particularly distressing due to a brutal hit on Oregon's quarterback, Dante Moore, by USC linebacker Desman Stephens II. This incident has reignited calls for a change in the head coaching position, as USC has never reached the College Football Playoff under current coach Lincoln Riley.

However, sports analyst Joel Klatt has cautioned against a hasty decision, highlighting the significant financial implications. Klatt pointed out that the cost of replacing Riley alone is estimated to be around $70 million, but when considering the buyouts of the entire staff and Riley's replacement, the total could reach $100-120 million.

This makes a coaching change a much more expensive proposition than the immediate loss of a single game. The next matchup for the Trojans is against the Washington Huskies, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.