USC has been given one year of probation and fined $50,000 fine for having 8 analysts engage in coaching activities that happened in 2022 and 2023.

The NCAA found Lincoln Riley violated head coach responsibility rules but because some violations occurred before Jan. 2023 rules changes and because he wasn’t personally involved and promoted an atmosphere of compliance, he will not be suspended.

The report specifically mentions a special teams analyst violating rules along with offensive and defensive analysts who “assisted in drills, including handling equipment, and delivered verbal instruction and feedback to student-athletes during individual position group drills and special teams sessions.”

Among the penalties: The analysts will be restricted from practice and film review for six consecutive days for two weeks prior to the institution’s last contest with outside competition for the 2024-25 playing season.

The probation period runs from Nov. 12, 2024-Nov.12, 2025.

REACTION: This is essentially a slap on the wrist although being placed on probation would be a problem if other infractions occur during the next 12 months.

The rules for analysts are different now than when these violations occurred and analysts can now coach on-and-off the field.

REACTION II: It’s funny these violations came out because last year some USC fans didn’t like it when I noted a school tried to turn in Kliff Kingsbury for a possible rules violation.

Also, how was it determined Lincoln Riley wasn’t personally involved? He supervises practices. If something is going on with eight analysts, isn’t he responsible?