Urban Meyer Affirms Lincoln Riley's Job Security Amid USC Struggles, Citing High Buyout Costs

Following USC's recent losses and ongoing struggles under head coach Lincoln Riley, speculation about his job security has intensified among fans and analysts. However, former coach and current FOX Sports analyst Urban Meyer strongly believes that Riley will not be fired this season, citing the significant financial burden of his buyout clause and the difficulty of finding the necessary funds from wealthy boosters and alumni. Meyer emphasized that despite USC's uneven performance, the university's leadership likely sees Riley as the right long-term fit and that making a coaching change now would be both economically and strategically challenging. Riley's record at USC includes leading the team to a Pac-12 Championship Game in his first season, three consecutive bowl appearances, and two postseason wins, though recent years have seen late-season collapses and losses to key opponents. Meyer acknowledged the broader financial realities of college football coaching, noting that large buyouts and NIL impacts make mid-season firings less feasible than in the past. Overall, Meyer’s perspective suggests stability for Riley at USC despite current performance concerns.