Monika Delainey

11/14/2024

usc

On Tuesday, the NCAA announced penalties for USC's football program, including a $50,000 fine and a year of probation due to violations in coaching activities. USC had allowed eight analysts to partake in on- and off-field coaching from spring 2022 to spring 2023, exceeding the NCAA's coaching staff limits. Although head coach Lincoln Riley wasn't directly involved, the program violated head coach responsibility rules, but he avoided further penalties due to promoting compliance within the team. Besides the fine and probation, USC faces restrictions on analyst activities during the 2024-25 season. In response, USC's athletic director Jen Cohen emphasized cooperative efforts with the NCAA to address the violations and maintain integrity. Head coach Riley reinforced this stance, suggesting new NCAA rules create complexities across institutions, but USC remains focused on player readiness and program integrity.