Lincoln Riley is 42-20 at USC since 2022 and 97-30 in his career.
Updated Nov 9, 2026Sources: school staff directories, TransferPortl coaching tenures, CFBD
2026 season7-2Conf 4-2
At USC42-20Conf 28-15 · since 2022
Last 3 seasons23-12Conf 15-9
Career97-30Conf 69-22 · 10 seasons
Source: ESPN standings; Hot seat tracker through 2025, ESPN standings for 2026; Hot seat tracker
USC won 70.6% of its games before he arrived (71.5% in conference). His career win rate is +5.8 pts against that (+4.3 pts in conference).
Bio
- Hired
- Nov 28, 2021
- Alma mater
- Texas Tech
- Calls plays
- Yes
- Background
- Offense
- First-time head coach
- No
Head Coaching Seasons
9 seasons| Year | School | W-L | Conf | SRS | SP+ | SP+ Off | SP+ Def | AP Final | Titles and Bowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |  USC | 9-4 | Big Ten | 15.5 | 16.9 | 38.9 | 21.0 | 20 | L 27-30 Valero Alamo Bowl vs TCU |
| 2024 | USC | 7-6 | Big Ten | 12.1 | 11.9 | 35.6 | 24.0 | - | W 35-31 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl vs Texas A&M |
| 2023 | USC | 8-5 | Pac-12 | 9.0 | 9.4 | 43.3 | 32.8 | - | W 42-28 DIRECTV Holiday Bowl vs Louisville |
| 2022 | USC | 11-3 | Pac-12 | 11.4 | 18.9 | 46.6 | 26.3 | 12 | L 45-46 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic vs Tulane |
| 2021 |  Oklahoma | 10-2 | Big 12 | 9.5 | 16.8 | 41.1 | 25.6 | 10 | W 47-32 Valero Alamo Bowl vs Oregon |
| 2020 | Oklahoma | 9-2 | Big 12 | 20.2 | 17.8 | 43.0 | 25.2 | 6 | W 55-20 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic vs Florida |
| 2019 | Oklahoma | 12-2 | Big 12 | 20.1 | 22.9 | 46.1 | 24.9 | 7 | Conference champion; L 28-63 CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL - CFP SEMIFINAL vs LSU |
| 2018 | Oklahoma | 12-2 | Big 12 | 21.4 | 24.9 | 54.0 | 30.0 | 4 | Conference champion; L 34-45 CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL - CFP SEMIFINAL vs Alabama |
| 2017 | Oklahoma | 12-2 | Big 12 | 22.7 | 25.5 | 49.8 | 24.2 | 3 | Conference champion; L 48-54 ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL - CFP SEMIFINAL vs Georgia |
USC Staff, 2026
16- Lincoln RileyC. & J. Elerding Head Football Coach
- Dennis SimmonsAssistant Head Coach / Co-Offensive Coordinator / Wide Receivers Coach
- Luke HuardOffensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach
- Gary PattersonDefensive Coordinator
- Ryan DoughertyCo-Special Teams Coordinator / Specialists Coach
- Mike EkelerSpecial Teams Coordinator / Linebackers Coach
- Anthony Jones Jr.Assistant Head Coach for Offense / Running Backs Coach
- Sam CarterAssistant Secondary Coach / Nickels
- Trovon ReedCornerbacks Coach
- Skyler JonesDefensive Tackles Coach
- Zach HansonOffensive Line Coach / Run Game Coordinator
- AJ HowardOutside Linebackers Coach
- Chris MeyersRun Game Specialist / Assistant Offensive Line and Tight Ends Coach
- Paul GonzalesSafeties Coach / Defensive Pass Game Coordinator
- Noah KnoellSpecial Teams / Defensive Analyst
- Chad SavageTight Ends / Inside Receivers Coach / Pass Game Coordinator
Transfer Portal at USC
Roster average Transfer Vulnerability Score (TVS): 18
| Cycle | In | Out | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 | 24 | -8 |
| 2025 | 18 | 26 | -8 |
| 2024 | 7 | 20 | -13 |
| 2023 | 4 | 5 | -1 |
| 2022 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
Staff History by Season
1 stint- 2022-2026USCC. & J. Elerding Head Football Coach
