A report indicates that a Southeastern Conference head coach with a $12.5 million salary is the leading candidate to replace Lincoln Riley as head coach of the USC Trojans, should the university decide to make a change.
The speculation comes as Riley's Trojans faced the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in an NCAA FBS game at SHI Stadium in Piscataway on September 19, 2026. Riley was photographed reacting on the sideline during that contest.
No official announcement has been made by USC regarding Riley's status, and the identity of the SEC coach mentioned in the report has not been disclosed.
