University Southern California Trojans
USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley Named to 2026 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List
July 13, 2026 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC head coach Lincoln Riley has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Dodd Trophy as announced by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc.
Lincoln Riley is one of the nation's most successful coaches. He's had more success by the age of 40 than any other head coach in college football history. Riley has been a head coach for 9 seasons and has developed three of the last nine 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 three quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft and has the most No. 1 overall draft selections in the common draft era. Just eight Power Four coaches currently hold a .500 or better career winning percentage against ranked teams, including Riley. From coaching 3 Heisman Trophy winners, to having a 76 percent winning record, to appearing in 3 College Football Playoffs, Lincoln Riley's coaching achievements set a standard of excellence.
Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc., The Dodd Trophy, college football's most coveted national coaching award, celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd's coaching philosophy. The award was established to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field.
The watch list was created through a selection process by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. taking into consideration each program's Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, as well as projected success for the 2026 season.
A midseason watch list – adding to or narrowing the field – will be released in the fall. A panel consisting of previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2026 season. The winner of the 2026 Dodd Trophy will then be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Lincoln Riley is one of the nation's most successful coaches. He's had more success by the age of 40 than any other head coach in college football history. Riley has been a head coach for 9 seasons and has developed three of the last nine 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 three quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft and has the most No. 1 overall draft selections in the common draft era. Just eight Power Four coaches currently hold a .500 or better career winning percentage against ranked teams, including Riley. From coaching 3 Heisman Trophy winners, to having a 76 percent winning record, to appearing in 3 College Football Playoffs, Lincoln Riley's coaching achievements set a standard of excellence.
Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc., The Dodd Trophy, college football's most coveted national coaching award, celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd's coaching philosophy. The award was established to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field.
The watch list was created through a selection process by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. taking into consideration each program's Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, as well as projected success for the 2026 season.
A midseason watch list – adding to or narrowing the field – will be released in the fall. A panel consisting of previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2026 season. The winner of the 2026 Dodd Trophy will then be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
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Thursday, May 14
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