USC’s Lincoln Riley Named Semifinalist for George Munger Coach of the Year Award

LOS ANGELES — USC’s strong 2025 campaign continues to draw national recognition, and now the Trojans’ leader looks to add another honor to a résumé already packed with accolades. Head coach Lincoln Riley has been named a semifinalist for the George Munger Coach of the Year Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced — reaffirming his status as one of the premier coaches in college football.

Established in 1989, the George Munger Award honors the nation’s most outstanding head coach each season, celebrating excellence in leadership, innovation, and program performance. Riley’s career has long embodied those pillars, and his fourth year in Los Angeles is proving to be one of his most impressive yet.

A Career of Historic Achievement

At just 42 years old, Riley continues to build one of the most accomplished coaching profiles in the sport:

• Three Heisman Trophy winners mentored under his system
• Three No. 1 overall NFL Draft picks — the most in the common draft era
• Three College Football Playoff appearances
• A career 78% winning percentage

He is the only coach in college football history to produce three Heisman-winning quarterbacks and three No. 1 overall selections — a testament to his quarterback development and offensive structure.

Year Four: USC Playing Its Best Football Under Riley

USC is currently 8–2 overall and 6–1 in Big Ten play, fresh off one of the most dramatic wins of the Riley era — a 26–21 comeback victory over No. 21 Iowa in a downpour at the Coliseum.

The Hawkeyes entered the game with an 83–5 record over the last decade when leading by eight or more points. USC handed them loss No. 6.

The Trojans trailed 21–10 at halftime, their largest deficit of the year, before ripping off 19 straight points on five consecutive scoring drives. It marked USC’s first double-digit halftime comeback win since 2020 and showcased the resilience and composure Riley has instilled throughout his roster.

USC now sits No. 15 in the CFP Rankings and No. 16 in both the AP and Coaches Polls entering this week.

Riley’s Roster Thriving Under His System

This year’s USC team features several of the nation’s most dynamic playmakers — all thriving inside Riley’s framework.

WR Makai Lemon — Biletnikoff Semifinalist

One of the most electric offensive players in the country:

• 109.0 receiving yards per game (2nd nationally)
• 1,090 yards, 71 receptions, 8 TDs
• Leads the Power Four in receiving yards and first downs
• Five 100-yard games, including four over 150

Lemon’s route-running, YAC ability, and versatility have made him the engine of USC’s passing attack.

QB Jayden Maiava — Davey O’Brien Semifinalist

The nation’s most efficient quarterback in 2025:

• 90.7 QBR — best in the nation
• Big Ten leader in passing yards (2,868), yards per attempt (9.53), and yards per completion (14.27)
• 23 big-time throws, per PFF (2nd nationally)

His precision and poise have elevated USC’s passing offense to No. 1 in the Big Ten.

A Defense That’s Matching USC’s Offense

USC’s defensive growth has been one of the biggest storylines of the season.

The Trojans have allowed no more than three points in the second half of each of their last three games, marking their best stretch since 2013.

They’re also allowing just 21.7 points per game, on pace for USC’s best defensive season in more than a decade, while holding four straight opponents under 150 passing yards for the first time since 2008.

Midseason First Team All-American Bishop Fitzgerald leads the nation with five interceptions.

Looking Ahead

The George Munger Award winner will be announced at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on March 14, 2026, in Atlanta.

For now, Riley and the Trojans turn their focus toward the stretch run — with USC looking like one of the most balanced, resilient, and well-coached teams in the nation under its semifinalist head coach.