As the 2026 season approaches, one of the most asked questions is if this is the year that the USC Trojans are finally able to make a College Football Playoff run. USC coach Lincoln Riley is among the list of head coaches in the country on the hot seat, especially following another season without a playoff run.Jul 29, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Lincoln Riley speaks during Pac-12 Media Day at Novo Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY SportsMany experts, including Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger, are predicting this year to be a potential ultimatum for Riley. His current contract runs through the 2031 season and if USC’s administration pulls the plug on him, it would cost roughly $60 million dollars.Should athletic director Jen Cohen let go of Riley if the Trojans end up falling short again though?Well, in a broader scope, it may just happen given what has gone down in his time in Los Angeles.Lincoln Riley’s Journey to the TrojansWhen Lincoln Riley arrived at USC, the hopes were immediately high given the job he had done with the Oklahoma Sooners.In seven seasons in Norman (2017-2021), Riley went 55-10 and took the Sooners to three CFP appearances. Add onto that four consecutive Big 12 Conference titles and his reputation for developing quarterbacks.Nov 3, 2018; Lubbock, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray (1) discusses a play with head coach Lincoln Riley during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY SportsAmong them were Heisman Trophy winners and No. 1 NFL draft picks Kylar Murray and Baker Mayfield and Heisman finalist Jalen Hurts.In November 2021, Riley departed Oklahoma to become the 30th USC head coach, following a disastrous 4-8 season for the Trojans.The Production as USC Head CoachSep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts during the first quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectSince taking over the helm at USC, Riley is 35-18 which normally wouldn’t be considered a bad stint for a college program. But this is USC.Riley is 6-13 against top 25 teams and 0-7 against top 10 teams.In his first year with the Trojans, Riley finished the year 11-3, his best finish to this day. The Trojans were just shy of the then four team CFP. Then-OU coach Lincoln Riley talks with quarterback Caleb Williams (13) during a 37-33 loss at OSU on Nov. 27.