USC Trojans football coach Lincoln Riley has been named to the watchlist for the 2026 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award, a recognition that comes as his team sits at 6-1 and prepares for a demanding stretch run.
Bryant Award Recognition
Riley is one of 29 coaches on the initial watchlist for the prestigious award, which honors excellence in coaching and supports the American Heart Association’s mission. The award commemorates legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who died in 1983 from a heart attack just 28 days after his final game.
Joining Riley on the watchlist are notable names including Ryan Day of Ohio State, Mario Cristobal of Miami, Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame, and Curt Cignetti of Indiana. The American Heart Association presents the awards annually to celebrate coaching excellence while raising awareness and funds for cardiovascular health initiatives. Since its inception, the awards have united the football community in support of the Association’s lifesaving work, USC described in a release announcing the news.
Trojans Face Demanding Stretch
USC’s strong start has positioned the Trojans for a significant second half of the season. They face Wisconsin on the road in prime time on NBC, with a 4:30 p.m. PT kickoff, followed by matchups against ranked opponents including No. 3 Ohio State, No. 6 Indiana, and No. 9 UCLA. These games represent opportunities to climb into the top 10 of the AP Poll.
In addition to the 12-team playoff, a Big Ten Championship appearance is still on the table for Riley and company. However, their margin for error remains slim following their earlier loss to Oregon. Some clarity will be reached as the calendar turns to November, but USC has a small margin for error after losing to the Ducks.
The difficulty of winning consistently in college football was on display on Saturday, Oct. 17, with a historic number of top-10 teams in the AP Poll losing. The Trojans were off, enjoying their first of two bye weeks on the season, but USC will pick things back up against the Badgers.
Riley Praises Team Recovery
During USC’s bye week, Riley noted that his team’s practice sessions showed significant improvement. “Our Sunday night practice was phenomenal. Probably the best one we’ve had all year. You can tell the guys recharged. Bodies were feeling very good,” Riley said in a recent statement.
