University Southern California Trojans
USC Head Coach Lincoln Riley Named to 2026 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List
October 20, 2026 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC head coach Lincoln Riley has been named to the 2026 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List. Twenty-eight coaches received recognition on the watch list.
The award is given 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. This award is the only college football coaching honor given after the National Champion has been determined.
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 eleven 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 77 percent winning record, to appearing in 3 College Football Playoffs, Lincoln Riley's coaching achievements set a standard of excellence.
USC is currently 6-1 on the 2026 season. Most recently, USC earned a statement victory in front of 114,419 fans at Beaver Stadium amid the electric atmosphere of Penn State's "White Out", defeating the Nittany Lions 31-23 on Oct. 10.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor coach Bryant's legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement. Since its inception, the awards have united the football community in support of the Association's lifesaving work.
The watch list, finalists and Coach of the Year recipient are voted on by the National Sports Media Association and the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards Executive Leadership Team, comprised of members of the Bryant family and community leaders who come together to support the campaign.
In addition to the Coach of the Year, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards will also present Conference Coach of the Year Awards from each of the Power Four collegiate athletic conferences (Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12 and Southeastern Conference) and one from the combined Group of Six conferences (American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference, Pac-12 conference, and Sun Belt Conference) and Independent teams.
The National Coach of the Year Award is one of five honors presented annually during the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards Ceremony, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, Texas. This year's ceremony, in its 41st year, will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2027, in Houston and will air on CBS Sports Network.
The award is given 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. This award is the only college football coaching honor given after the National Champion has been determined.
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 eleven 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 77 percent winning record, to appearing in 3 College Football Playoffs, Lincoln Riley's coaching achievements set a standard of excellence.
USC is currently 6-1 on the 2026 season. Most recently, USC earned a statement victory in front of 114,419 fans at Beaver Stadium amid the electric atmosphere of Penn State's "White Out", defeating the Nittany Lions 31-23 on Oct. 10.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor coach Bryant's legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement. Since its inception, the awards have united the football community in support of the Association's lifesaving work.
The watch list, finalists and Coach of the Year recipient are voted on by the National Sports Media Association and the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards Executive Leadership Team, comprised of members of the Bryant family and community leaders who come together to support the campaign.
In addition to the Coach of the Year, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards will also present Conference Coach of the Year Awards from each of the Power Four collegiate athletic conferences (Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12 and Southeastern Conference) and one from the combined Group of Six conferences (American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference, Pac-12 conference, and Sun Belt Conference) and Independent teams.
The National Coach of the Year Award is one of five honors presented annually during the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards Ceremony, presented by Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, Texas. This year's ceremony, in its 41st year, will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2027, in Houston and will air on CBS Sports Network.
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, October 20
