USC’s Lincoln Riley Named to 2026 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List

LOS ANGELES, CA-

USC head football coach Lincoln Riley has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Dodd Trophy, the most prestigious coaching honor in college football.

Announced July 9 by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., the list recognizes 20 of the nation’s top FBS head coaches who deliver on-field success while upholding the award’s three pillars: scholarship, leadership, and integrity — the same values that defined legendary Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd.

Riley joins an elite group that includes seven Big Ten coaches. USC earned its spot with a strong Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 993 for the 2024-25 academic year — well above the national average threshold of 971 — along with solid graduation success metrics, community impact, and projected 2026 performance.

Building Momentum in the Big Ten

The honor arrives as Riley continues to reshape the USC program in the Big Ten era. After a 9-4 rebound season in 2025 (7-2 in conference play, final AP rank No. 20), the Trojans showed real progress on both sides of the ball. The offense averaged 35.8 points per game (13th nationally), and while a 30-27 Alamo Bowl heartbreaker to TCU stung, it left the program with clear momentum and valuable lessons.

With 15 starters returning (nine on offense), including quarterback Jayden Maiava (3,711 passing yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025), a top-ranked recruiting class, and the brand-new $200 million Bloom Football Performance Center opening soon, the pieces are in place for a significant step forward in 2026.

A Career That Embodies the Dodd Standard

Riley’s résumé aligns perfectly with the Dodd Trophy’s emphasis on developing the complete student-athlete. He has coached three Heisman Trophy winners and is the only head coach in the common draft era with three players selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft. His focus on academics, culture, and long-term player growth continues to show in the classroom and on the recruiting trail.

The full 2026 preseason watch list features previous Dodd Trophy winners Curt Cignetti (2025), Marcus Freeman (2024), Willie Fritz (2022), and Kirk Ferentz (2015). The 20 coaches on the list have combined for four national championships, 31 FBS conference titles, and 1,841 career wins.

A midseason watch list will be released in the fall. The 2026 winner will be announced in Atlanta during College Football Playoff quarterfinal week at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.