Josh Pate adds a twist to college football's coaching carousel

ESPN's college football analyst Josh Pate sent a clear message by suggesting that USC coach Lincoln Riley could soon be part of the coaching carousel.

On Wednesday’s episode of “Bussin’ With the Boys,” Pate told co-host Will Compton, “Let’s just keep an eye on Lincoln Riley at USC,” when asked about the ongoing wave of job openings across the Power Four.

Pate's comment comes as LSU, Penn State, Florida and Auburn headline a stunning list of midseason vacancies. Stanford, UCLA, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State, and Arkansas have also joined the market.

While names like Lane Kiffin and Dan Lanning are repeatedly mentioned for those positions, Riley’s inclusion to the list is noteworthy. He's one of college football’s highest-paid coaches, earning roughly $11.5 million annually, and carries a staggering $90 million buyout, according to USA TODAY Sports. If USC got rid of Riley, it would assumingly be a record-setting buyout in college football. 

Riley owns an 87-26 career record with three Heisman winners (Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Caleb Williams), but USC’s has slipped since his 11-win debut in 2022. The Trojans are 6-2 entering Week 11 and risk another single-digit win season with No. 21 Iowa and No. 9 Oregon later this month. 

If any program could lure Riley, it would take deep pockets. Could he be looking at an SEC jump? Stay tuned to see what happens. 

No. 19 USC faces Northwestern on Friday night (9 p.m. ET, FOX). 

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