Major NCAA violations lead to USC football being fined and placed on probation.

The Big 10 has given USC's football program a negative mark on its record in its inaugural season.

The NCAA fined the USC program $50,000 and placed it on probation for one year due to multiple violations of coaching staff rules over two seasons, the NCAA and USC announced Tuesday. They also reached a settlement in the case.

The NCAA investigation discovered that USC had eight analysts doing on- and off-field coaching during the 2022 season and spring practices in 2023, which exceeded the allowed number by six.

Both parties agreed that Lincoln Riley violated head coach responsibility rules, but he would not be suspended.

In January 2023, the NCAA modified its rules regarding the number of coaches and their responsibilities, with head coach duties now being automatically attached.

The NCAA stated in a news release that Riley was not personally responsible for the violations and had promoted an atmosphere of compliance and monitored his staff. As a result, the parties agreed that a suspension penalty for Riley was not suitable.

During the 2024-25 season, the NCAA imposed restrictions on USC's special teams analyst, limiting their participation in practice and film review for six consecutive days in two weeks. Meanwhile, the remaining analysts will face similar restrictions for six consecutive days in four weeks.

"USC has been cooperative with the NCAA enforcement staff and the Committee on Infractions since discovering potential violations related to our football program in May 2023. We have acknowledged and corrected the violations, submitted a negotiated resolution, and had it approved by the Committee. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical behavior and integrity in our athletic programs."

The program has a 4-5 record and a 2-5 record in conference play through nine games in the Big 10 this season.

The team, after losing to rival Washington, replaced starter Miller Moss, who had thrown nine interceptions in the last seven games, with UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava during its bye week off.

In 2023, Maiava, a sophomore at USC, threw for 3,085 yards with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while playing for the Rebels.

On Monday, the USC football coaching legend John Robinson, who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018, passed away at the age of 89.

USC said Robinson died from complications of pneumonia.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Subscribe to the Planet Chronicle Sports Huddle newsletter for the latest sports coverage on X.