USC coach Lincoln Riley was an expensive hire for the Trojans, with his Oklahoma buyout, salary and related compensation costing the Trojans nearly $20 million during his first season. Of that nearly $20 million, USC paid its new coach $10.042 million in base pay and benefits for the 2022 season. Altogether, paying Riley to come to USC and Helton to leave cost the university nearly $24 million in 2022. USC paid buyouts so that two other assistants coaches could join Riley. Among Riley, Helton and Grinch, the university paid a total of $28 million in 2022.

Source: Los Angeles Times May 16, 2024 14:59 UTC