Joel Klatt sends chilling warning to USC football if Lincoln Riley gets fired
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The USC football team is struggling again in 2026 under head coach Lincoln Riley. USC got beat soundly by Oregon in a recent Big Ten conference game. College football insider Joel Klatt is sending a warning to the Trojans, as they decide on Riley’s job status.
“There’s a lot of people where I live talking about we need to replace Lincoln Riley….you’re going to have to buy out the staff, you’re going to have to buy out the next coach from his contract. Plus, you’re going to have to build an elite roster,” Klatt said on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff.
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All of that overhaul could easily cost USC more than $100 million, Klatt said. Klatt does understand though that these words may not be enough to save Riley’s job.
“These fans are frustrated….they are frustrated with the culture,” Klatt said.
USC is 1-1 in Big Ten play this season. The Trojans defeated Rutgers, before losing to Oregon. Even against lowly Rutgers, the Trojans defense allowed 35 points.
Riley is considered by many college football analysts to be on the hot seat. He has yet to take USC to the College Football Playoff, during his tenure in southern California. Riley has coached the Trojans since the 2022 season.
It won’t be easy for Riley to get his team to the CFP this year, either.
“The schedule is loaded. They host Ohio State on Halloween and travel to defending national champion Indiana. Road games against Penn State, Wisconsin and UCLA loom as problems, too,” Yahoo Sports reported.
USC is in action on Saturday against Washington. It is a must-win game for Riley and his Trojans program, if the team wants to stay in the hunt for the Big Ten title.
Before coaching at USC, Riley was the head coach at Oklahoma from 2017-2021.
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