{
  "id": 11734946,
  "title": "Joel Klatt Reveals Massive Price Tag Keeping USC From Firing Lincoln Riley",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/joel-klatt-reveals-massive-price-tag-keeping-usc-from-firing-lincoln",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T17:38:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/joel-klatt-reveals-massive-price-tag-keeping-usc-from-firing-lincoln-riley-12520700"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "College football analyst Joel Klatt cautioned the USC Trojans against parting ways with head coach Lincoln Riley.",
  "key_points": [
    "USC lost 41-27 to Oregon in 2026 season opener.",
    "Joel Klatt warns against firing Riley due to $100-120M cost.",
    "Next game vs Washington Huskies on 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}