The USC Trojans football team is one of the most successful and popular college football programs in the nation. The team has won 11 national championships, 39 conference titles, and produced seven Heisman Trophy winners. The team is also known for its rich tradition, fierce rivalries, and loyal fan base.
In this article, we will explore the salary, net worth, and upcoming schedule of the USC Trojans football team and its coaches and players in 2023. We will also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the team and its prospects.
Salary and Net Worth of USC Trojans Football Team
The USC Trojans football team had a total revenue of $116 million and a total expense of $104 million in 2019. This means that the team had a net income of $12 million that year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on college sports, the team’s revenue and expense may have changed significantly in 2020 and 2021.
The USC Trojans football team is expected to join the Big Ten Conference in 2024, leaving behind the Pac-12 Conference. This move could have a significant impact on the team’s financial situation, as the Big Ten Conference has a more lucrative media rights deal and a larger fan base than the Pac-12 Conference. According to Forbes, the Big Ten Conference distributed $55.6 million to each of its members in 2019, while the Pac-12 Conference distributed only $32.2 million.
The USC Trojans football team also benefits from its strong alumni network and donor base, which contribute to its fundraising and endowment. According to U.S. News & World Report, USC has an endowment of $6.2 billion as of 2020 . Some of the notable donors to USC include George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Jerry Jones, Will Ferrell, and John Wayne.
Salary and Net Worth of USC Trojans Football Coaches
The head coach of the USC Trojans football team is Lincoln Riley, who was hired in 2021 after leaving Oklahoma . Riley is considered one of the best offensive minds in college football and has led his teams to four consecutive Big 12 championships and three College Football Playoff appearances.
Riley’s contract with USC is not publicly disclosed, but according to ESPN, he is expected to earn around $12 million per year . This would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football, surpassing Nick Saban of Alabama ($9.3 million) and Dabo Swinney of Clemson ($8.3 million) .
Riley’s contract also includes a $6 million signing bonus, a $1 million relocation bonus, two homes in Los Angeles worth up to $6 million each, unlimited use of a private jet for his family, and 24/7 access to a luxury car service . Riley’s contract also has incentives for winning games, championships, awards, and academic performance.
The assistant coaches of the USC Trojans football team are also well compensated for their services. According to USA Today, the total salary pool for USC’s assistant coaches was $5.8 million in 2019 . The highest-paid assistant coach was defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, who earned $1.4 million that year . The other assistant coaches include offensive coordinator Josh Henson ($800k), special teams coordinator Pete Lembo ($600k), defensive line coach Jamar Cain ($500k), linebackers coach Brian Odom ($500k), defensive backs coach Roy Manning ($500k), wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons ($500k), running backs coach DeMarco Murray ($450k), tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley ($400k), and offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh ($350k) .
Salary and Net Worth of USC Trojans Football Players
The players of the USC Trojans football team are not paid a salary for playing college football. However, they do receive scholarships that cover their tuition, fees, room and board, books, and other expenses. According to College Tuition Compare, the cost of attendance for an undergraduate student at USC is $77,459 per year .
The players of the USC Trojans football team can also benefit from the new NCAA rules that allow them to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). This means that they can sign endorsement deals, sell merchandise, appear in commercials, host camps or clinics, or create content on social media or other platforms. The players can also hire agents or lawyers to help them negotiate and manage their NIL deals.
Some of the USC Trojans football players who have signed NIL deals include quarterback Caleb Williams, who signed with Nike and Bose , wide receiver Drake London, who signed with Panini America and Raising Cane’s , and linebacker Shane Lee, who signed with Barstool Sports . The exact amount of money that these players earn from their NIL deals is not publicly disclosed, but it could range from a few thousand to a few million dollars per year.
The players of the USC Trojans football team can also increase their net worth by entering the NFL draft after their college career. According to Spotrac, the average salary for an NFL player in 2021 was $3.1 million . However, the actual salary for each player depends on their draft position, contract terms, performance, and market value. Some of the former USC Trojans football players who are currently playing in the NFL include Sam Darnold, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ronald Jones II, Michael Pittman Jr., and Austin Jackson.
Upcoming Schedule of USC Trojans Football Team
The USC Trojans football team is expected to play a 12-game regular season schedule in 2023, followed by a possible conference championship game and a bowl game or a playoff game. The team’s schedule is subject to change due to COVID-19 or other factors. The following table shows the tentative schedule of the USC Trojans football team in 2023:
Date | Opponent | Location |
---|---|---|
Sep 2 | Fresno State | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
Sep 9 | Notre Dame | Notre Dame Stadium |
Sep 16 | Texas | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
Sep 23 | Arizona | Arizona Stadium |
Sep 30 | Washington State | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
Oct 7 | Oregon | Autzen Stadium |
Oct 14 | Utah | Rice-Eccles Stadium |
Oct 21 | Colorado | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
Oct 28 | Bye | N/A |
Nov 4 | Stanford | Stanford Stadium |
Nov 11 | California | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
Nov 18 | UCLA | Rose Bowl |
Nov 25 | Arizona State | Sun Devil Stadium |
Highest Paid Players of USC Trojans Football Team
As mentioned earlier, the players of the USC Trojans football team are not paid a salary for playing college football. However, they can earn money from their NIL deals or their future NFL contracts. Based on these factors, we can estimate who are the highest paid players of the USC Trojans football team in 2023. Here are some of the possible candidates:
- Caleb Williams: The quarterback is widely regarded as one of the best players in college football and a potential Heisman Trophy winner. He has signed NIL deals with Nike and Bose and has a huge following on social media. He is also projected to be a top pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
- Drake London: The wide receiver is one of the most productive and versatile players in college football and a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. He has signed NIL deals with Panini America and Raising Cane’s and has a strong personal brand. He is also expected to be a high draft pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
- Shane Lee: The linebacker is one of the most dominant and consistent players in college football and a finalist for the Butkus Award. He has signed an NIL deal with Barstool Sports and has a loyal fan base. He is also likely to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Conclusion
The USC Trojans football team is one of the most prestigious and profitable college football programs in the country. The team has a talented roster, a high-profile coach, a loyal fan base, and a rich tradition. The team also has a lucrative financial situation, thanks to its revenue, expense, endowment, donor base, media rights deal, and NIL opportunities. The team is expected to have a successful season in 2023 and compete for championships and awards.