The college football coaching carousel is finally starting to pick up speed, and Baylor’s opening is already drawing a big name into the conversation.
After NC State and Baylor both moved on from their head coaches, the ripple effect could be significant. On3’s Pete Nakos took a first look at possible Baylor targets, and one name stood out immediately: USC’s Lincoln Riley.
Riley’s situation in Los Angeles has become part of the storyline. USC dropped its game at Wisconsin on Saturday night, falling to 6-2, and Nakos pointed out that the stretch ahead does not get any easier. The Trojans still have Ohio State, Indiana and UCLA left on the schedule, and a 7-5 finish is on the table.
“How Riley finishes out the season will be critical for his future in Los Angeles. Could he look around at the job market if there are openings in Texas?” Nakos added.
“He has the deep Texas roots and the offensive pedigree that Baylor is expected to be looking for in its search.”
USC made a major investment when it landed Riley from Oklahoma. Fox Sports reported that he signed a 10-year, $110 million contract, and the deal also came with perks such as access to a private jet. CBS Sports reported that Riley’s buyout is around $70 million.
That kind of money makes any move complicated, but the tension around USC matters here. If Riley feels the pressure building, a new job could theoretically give him an exit before USC decides to make one for him.
Still, the fit is not exactly obvious on paper. Leaving USC for Baylor would be a surprising turn, especially with USC sitting above Baylor on the job ladder. But the possibility is out there, and Riley has now become one of the names attached to the Bears’ search.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, Max Olson and Eli Lederman also brought up Riley as a Baylor option. They described the situation this way on Sunday:
“His future at USC is murky at best, and a return to his home state and a league where he had historic success could be a smart exit strategy,” Rittenberg, Olson and Lederman noted on Sunday.
“Riley wouldn't have the same resources he enjoys at USC, but if he can secure financial buy-in from Baylor, he could soon position the Bears as Big 12/CFP contenders.”
For now, it’s just a name on a list. But with Baylor open and USC under the microscope, Riley is once again in the middle of the coaching chatter.
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