USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley Named to Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List

LOS ANGELES—USC head Coach Lincoln Riley has been named to the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List.

The Bear Bryant Award, which is given annually each January to a college football coach for contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life – both on and off the field. In honor of legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant, the American Heart Association and the Bryant family present the award each year to raise awareness and provide critical funds for its mission.

Riley is one of the nation's most successful coaches. He's had more success by the age of 40 (now 42) than any other head coach in college football history. Riley has been a head coach for 8 seasons and has developed 3 of the last 8 Heisman Trophy winners. In addition to being the only head coach to tutor three Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks, Riley is the only coach to have 3 quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft as well as the most No. 1 overall draft selections in the common draft era. From coaching 3 Heisman Trophy winners, to having a 78 percent winning record, to appearing in 3 College Football Playoffs, Lincoln Riley's coaching achievements set a standard of excellence.

In his fourth year at USC, the Trojans are 5-1 after decisively defeating No. 15 Michigan 31-13 in front of a sold out crowd in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday (Oct. 11). This was the largest margin of victory over a ranked team since beating No. 23 Stanford by 25 in 2019. USC's 224 rushing yards were the most Michigan has given up since 2022 against Ohio State (252 yards). USC had 489 total yards of offense, the most total yards Michigan has given up this season and the most against the Wolverines since 2022 when Ohio State recorded 492 total yards of offense. USC averaged 7.2 yards per play. Michigan hadn't allowed more than 7 yards per play in a game since its College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Georgia in December 2021. USC's defense held Michigan to 13 points. It was the fewest points allowed versus a ranked opponent since Nov. 12, 2016 at No. 4 Washington (13). Michigan's 316 yards were the fewest total yards allowed versus a ranked opponent since Oct. 21, 2023 at No. 21 Notre Dame (251).

The Trojans are currently ranked No. 20 in the AP Poll.

Just yesterday, three of his players were named Midseason All-Americans (WR Makai Lemon, S Bishop Fitzgerald and RB Waymond Jordan) and his offensive line was recognized by the Joe Moore Award as part of its Midseason Honor Roll.

USC leads the Big Ten in third down conversion percentage (0.552), fourth down conversion percentage (0.833), passing offense (325.8), yards per completion (14.38), scoring offense (45.5) and total offense (552.3). Defensively, USC is No 2 in the nation (and No. 2 in the Big Ten) in red zone defense, No. 7 in the nation (and No. 2 in the Big Ten) in team sacks and No. 12 in the nation (and No. 2 in the Big Ten) in team tackles for loss.

Now in its 40th year, the Coach of the Year award winner will be presented Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, during the Association's annual Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Awards ceremony, in Houston, Texas. The ceremony, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System, will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.

The watch list, finalists and Coach of the Year recipient are voted on by the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team and the Bryant Family.

Players Mentioned

Bishop Fitzgerald

Waymond Jordan

Makai Lemon