Since 2022
Delivered a Heisman winner (Caleb Williams) and consistent CFP-caliber talent, but has never reached the actual College Football Playoff at USC and is 0-3 against AP top-10 opponents in recent stretches. 2025 finished 9-4 (7- 2 Big Ten) with an Alamo Bowl overtime loss to TCU.
Record & context
Lifetime record94-plus career; 33-19 at USC
Current program5th season at USC
Years in system—
ATS contextNo single published career ATS figure CBS Sports has ranked Riley's contract among the worst value deals in the sport ($3.35M per win at one stretch), given the gap between his $11.5M+ salary and USC's lack of CFP appearances since he arrived. 2025's 9-4 finish and top-15 ranking eased some of that pressure heading into 2026.
Previous season9-4 (7-2 Big Ten)
Compensation
Salary$11.5M+
SourceCoach salary per USC's federal tax return (FY2024: $11.8M total comp, incl. $10.4M base). USC's original NIL collective, Student Body Right, shut down in Oct. 2022 after founder Ba
Designationreported
Confidence—
Figures are labeled by designation. Estimated values are not official contract terms.