The University of Southern California (USC) Trojans football program has been hit with a one-year probation and a $50,000 fine by the NCAA for exceeding the permissible number of countable coaches. The violations, which occurred during the 2022-23 academic years, involved eight analysts engaging in coaching activities, leading to a breach of NCAA rules.

Uncovering the Coaching Violations at USC

Exceeding the Coaching Limit

The NCAA investigation revealed that USC had eight analysts who were engaged in coaching activities, exceeding the permissible number of countable coaches by six for two academic years. This violation of NCAA rules was discovered and acknowledged by the parties involved.

Responsibility and Accountability

While USC head coach Lincoln Riley was found responsible for the violations, he will not face a suspension. The NCAA determined that some of the violations occurred before the January 2023 rule changes, and Riley was not personally involved in the infractions. Additionally, the NCAA recognized that Riley had promoted an atmosphere of compliance and monitored his staff, which helped him rebut the presumed responsibility for the pre-rule change violations.

Collaborative Investigation and Penalties

The NCAA noted that USC promptly investigated the violations when notified and worked collaboratively with the enforcement staff. This cooperation led to an agreement on Level II penalties for both USC and Riley.

Penalties and Restrictions

In addition to the one-year probation and $50,000 fine, USC will face the following penalties:- A restriction for a special teams analyst from practice and film review for six consecutive days during two weeks of the 2024-25 season.- A restriction for the remaining analysts from practice and film review for six consecutive days during two weeks of the 2024-25 season.- A reduction in countable athletically related activities for the football program by 24 hours during the 2023-24 season, which was self-imposed by USC.

Ongoing Challenges for the Trojans

The penalties come at a challenging time for the USC Trojans football program, as they have struggled on the field this season. With a 4-5 overall record and a 2-5 mark in Big Ten play, the Trojans need to win two of their final three games to become bowl eligible.

The Oversight Panel

The case was overseen by a panel that included Stephen Madva, an attorney in private practice, Roderick Perry, the chief hearing officer for the panel and former director of athletics, and Steve Waterfield, the director of athletics at Oakland.The USC Trojans football program's one-year probation and $50,000 fine serve as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to NCAA rules and regulations. While the program has faced setbacks, the collaborative investigation and the implementation of appropriate penalties demonstrate the NCAA's commitment to maintaining the integrity of college sports.