Previously this past weekend, former USC Trojans running back LenDale White went crazy on coach Lincoln Riley on social media.
The running back was outraged following the Trojans 26-21 loss to the Washington Huskies away from home. The Trojans played some of their worst football all season and quarterback Miller Moss has continued to implode down the stretch. With Moss now on the bench, the team hopes to turn things around, but no matter what record the Trojans finish with the season is arguably a loss.
The USC Trojans entered the 2024 season as a team that was considered to challenge the rest of the Big Ten Conference. An opening-week win over the then-13th-ranked LSU Tigers further solidified that idea, but it did not take long for the wheels to fall off. USC lost to Michigan, 27-24, in Ann Arbor and then hosted the Wisconsin Badgers in a game where the Badgers were not defeated but rather lost the game themselves.
USC has since lost games to Minnesota, Penn State, Maryland, and now Washington in the Big Ten Conference. Maryland is a particularly difficult loss as the team is considered to be one of the worst in the conference this season. Some fans have been willing to move past the losses and still hope for a bright future, while others feel the complete opposite.
White, a highly respected individual among USC Trojans fans and alumni, has been the face of the campaign to get coach Lincoln Riley out of town. However, the running back seems to have pulled back a bit and asserted his stance in a much different way.
Is Winning a National Championship For the USC Trojans What Would Keep Riley Safe?
As many USC Trojans fans asked White to calm down in regards to his social media tirade, the running back eventually did offer a resolution.
White complained about the play on the field and how the team has carried themselves under the watchful eye of coach Riley. However, White did eventually back off and stated that “winning a natty” would be a proper way to redeem himself.
Naw fr all bs aside Lincoln if u win a nati next year I’m so sorry bro!!!!! lol but right now u looking like Ryan leaf and we need Peyton lol
— LenDale White (@thereal_lendale) November 3, 2024
Riley is currently in the midst of a 10-year, $110-million contract that reportedly has a buyout that is estimated to cost around $88 million. It is very possible Riley does not see a ninth or tenth year with the Trojans, however, a buyout might not be possible anytime soon. While the exact details of the contract an unknown due to the fact that USC is a private university, there are a few known facts.
Outside of a potential buyout, the most likely option that could occur for Riley involves taking another collegiate job. Riley reportedly has a clause in his contract imposing stiff penalties if he were to enter the NFL. However, there are no penalties for taking on another collegiate job and leaving the USC Trojans.
While many fans are upset with the current state of the team and coaching of Riley, financially it seems unlikely the coach will be gone anytime soon. Likely, the only way Riley will leave the program in the near future without the possibility of a buyout is if he chooses to take on another college job.
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