Lincoln Riley
{{Short description|American football coach (born 1983)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Lincoln Riley
| image = 2023-0109-CFPtitlegame-Lincoln Riley.JPG
| alt =
| caption = Riley in 2023
| current_title = Head coach
| current_team = USC
| current_conference = Big Ten
| current_record = 26–14
| contract =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|9|5}}
| birth_place = Muleshoe, Texas, U.S.
| alma_mater =
| player_years1 = 2002
| player_team1 = Texas Tech
| player_positions = Quarterback
| coach_years1 = 2003–2005
| coach_team1 = Texas Tech (SA)
| coach_years2 = 2006
| coach_team2 = Texas Tech (GA)
| coach_years3 = 2007
| coach_team3 = Texas Tech (WR)
| coach_years4 = 2008–2009
| coach_team4 = Texas Tech (IWR)
| coach_years5 = 2010–2013
| coach_team5 = East Carolina (OC/QB)
| coach_years6 = 2014
| coach_team6 = East Carolina (AHC/OC/QB)
| coach_years7 = 2015–2016
| coach_team7 = Oklahoma (OC/QB)
| coach_years8 = 2017–2021
| coach_team8 = Oklahoma
| coach_years9 = 2022–present
| coach_team9 = USC
| overall_record = 81–24
| bowl_record = 3–4
| tournament_record = 0–3
(CFP)
| championships = 4 Big 12 (2017–2020)
| awards = Broyles Award (2015)
Big 12 Coach of the Year (2018)
AP Big 12 Coach of the Year (2018)
| coaching_records =
}}
Lincoln Michael Riley (born September 5, 1983){{Cite web|url=https://www.tulsaworld.com/photovideo/slideshows/happy-birthday-lincoln-riley-a-look-at-the-ou-football/collection_ed6b9969-9176-5992-8cb1-ea530ba56ec2.html|title=Happy Birthday, Lincoln Riley: A look at the OU Football Coach's Career|publisher=Tulsa World|date=September 5, 2018|access-date=September 5, 2018}} is an American college football coach and former player who is the head coach of the USC Trojans football program at the University of Southern California. Riley previously served as the head coach at the University of Oklahoma for five seasons from 2017 to 2021, where he won four consecutive Big 12 Championship Games.
Playing quarterback himself as a walk-on player at Texas Tech and known for his "Air Raid" offensive scheme, Riley has mentored three Heisman Trophy winners at quarterback (Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Caleb Williams) as well as another starting NFL quarterback in Jalen Hurts.Brianna Dix. "[https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/03/oklahoma-sooners-lincoln-riley-air-raid-spread-offense-big-12/ The evolution of Oklahoma's Air Raid under Lincoln Riley]". USA Today, June 3, 2021. Accessed December 1, 2021. As a fifth-year head coach, he has produced over 28 draft picks including 5 first-rounders, but is 3–4 in end-of-season bowl games and 0–3 in the College Football Playoff.
Early life
Riley ran track at Muleshoe High School in Muleshoe, a small town of roughly 5,000 in West Texas. He began his high school career at defensive end and made the move to quarterback for his junior and senior seasons.{{Cite web |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/ousportsextra/lincoln-riley-from-muleshoe-texas-to-oklahoma-s-new-offensive/article_2053c29e-3c41-5f96-9c23-b476c796d01b.html|title=Lincoln Riley: From Muleshoe, Texas, to Oklahoma's new offensive coordinator|last=Bailey|first=Eric|date=January 16, 2015|website=Tulsa World|access-date=June 7, 2017}} Riley played quarterback at Texas Tech University as a walk-on in 2002,{{Cite web |last=Beardsley |first=Howie |date=January 2, 2010 |title=Lincoln Riley takes over playcalling for Texas Tech offense: 'We've got a great plan' |url=https://www.mlive.com/spartans/2010/01/lincoln_riley_takes_over_playc.html |access-date=July 22, 2024 |website=mlive.com}} behind senior starter and future Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury and back-up B. J. Symons.
Coaching career
=Early career=
In 2003, Riley became a student assistant to Mike Leach, gradually progressing to graduate assistant and then to receivers coach. Following his departure from Texas Tech after the firing of Leach, Riley went on to serve five seasons as offensive coordinator at East Carolina University{{cite web|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/09/04/5150454/morris-lincoln-riley-makes-ecus.html#.VLSNO9LF-So|title=Morris: Lincoln Riley makes ECU's offense go|access-date=January 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113062829/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/09/04/5150454/morris-lincoln-riley-makes-ecus.html#.VLSNO9LF-So|archive-date=January 13, 2015|url-status=dead}} under Ruffin McNeill.
=Oklahoma=
File:2017-0717-Big12MD-LincolnRiley.jpg
Riley was hired by Bob Stoops to be the offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners on January 12, 2015.{{Cite web |last=Trotter |first=Jake |author-link=Jake Trotter |date=January 12, 2015 |title=ECU's Riley becomes Sooners' O-coordinator |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/12155303/lincoln-riley-become-offensive-coordinator-oklahoma-sooners |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/ou/ouhomepage1/east-carolina-s-lincoln-riley-to-become-oklahoma-s-new/article_e7dc81a8-9511-59af-8280-cd05e835f8b9.html|title=Lincoln Riley officially named Oklahoma's offensive coordinator|first=ERIC BAILEY World Sports|last=Writer|date=January 13, 2015 }} In his first season at Oklahoma, Riley led the Sooners to the 7th ranked offense in the country while Bob Stoops led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff. He also won the Broyles Award, awarded the nation's top assistant coach. On June 7, 2017, Bob Stoops retired as head coach and Riley was named his successor.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/bob-stoops-retires-after-18-seasons-with-oklahoma-lincoln-riley-to-take-over/|title=Bob Stoops retires after 18 seasons with Oklahoma, Lincoln Riley to take over|last1=Silverstein|first1=Adam|last2=Kercheval|first2=Ben|publisher=CBSSports.com|date=June 7, 2017|access-date=September 1, 2017}} In the 2017 season, Riley, anchored by Heisman winner Baker Mayfield, led his team to the Big 12 conference championship, a No. 2 ranking in the College Football Playoff ranking, and a berth in one of the CFP semifinal games at the Rose Bowl. Oklahoma went on to lose the 2018 Rose Bowl to Georgia, in double overtime, 54–48.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/rose-bowl-score-georgia-completes-comeback-over-oklahoma-in-2ot-thriller/|title=Rose Bowl score:Georgia Completes comeback over Oklahoma in 2OT Thriller.|date=January 2, 2018|access-date=July 16, 2018}} It was the first of three consecutive 12–2 seasons for the Sooners under Riley. Moreover, OU won the 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 Big 12 Championship Games during Riley's tenure there. As of the day he had left, Oklahoma (and Riley) had won all four of the revived Big XII Championship Games since the conference resumed them. However, the Sooners had already been eliminated from contention for the Big XII Championship Game for the 2021 season and would soon to move to a new conference.
Riley finished his tenure at Oklahoma with a 55–10 record and the highest winning percentage in the history of coaches at the OU program. In his relatively brief time there, he mentored two quarterbacks who won the Heisman Trophy: Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray in consecutive seasons - both quarterbacks who were transfers and had already progressed under other staffs. Another who did not win the trophy, Jalen Hurts, went on to an NFL career as a starting pro quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Fox Sports Radio and other sources reported that Riley was unhappy with Oklahoma's decision to move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) from their traditional home in the Big 12 Conference.Ryan Burschinger. "[https://foxsportsradio.iheart.com/content/2021-11-28-lincoln-riley-was-unhappy-with-oklahoma-leaving-big-12-for-sec/ Lincoln Riley Was Unhappy With Oklahoma Leaving Big-12 For SEC]". Fox Sports Radio, November 28, 2021. Accessed December 1, 2021.Sean Beckwith. "[https://deadspin.com/sooners-planned-move-to-the-sec-might-ve-pushed-riley-1848138350 Sooners’ planned move to the SEC might’ve pushed Riley to USC]". Deadspin, November 30, 2021. Accessed December 1, 2021. OU's Athletic Director Joe Castiglione countered that Riley had been "on board" with Oklahoma's shift to the SEC."[https://theathletic.com/news/lincoln-riley-was-on-board-with-oklahomas-move-to-the-sec-ad-says/qOVwKUXR0nVW/ Lincoln Riley was 'on board' with Oklahoma's move to the SEC, AD says]". The Athletic, November 29, 2021. Accessed December 1, 2021.
=USC=
File:2024-0901 Lincoln Riley.jpg]]
On November 28, 2021, Riley was named the 30th head coach of the USC Trojans football program representing the University of Southern California, replacing Clay Helton. The move was widely praised in Los Angeles area media, with the Los Angeles Daily News calling it a walk-off home run hire for the Trojans after Riley's "brilliant" five years at Oklahoma, predicting that Riley would revive and transform not only USC football, but also Pac-12 football in general and all of "football in the western third of the country."Jon Wilner. "[https://www.dailynews.com/2021/11/30/usc-hires-lincoln-riley-what-it-means-for-the-trojans-and-the-pac-12-hint-its-gargantuan/ What USC’s hiring of Lincoln Riley means for the Pac-12 (hint: it’s gargantuan)]". Los Angeles Daily News, November 30, 2021. Accessed December 3, 2021. The Los Angeles Times pointed out that Riley "still has an itch to scratch when it comes to winning at the highest level of the sport" and must feel he can "reach the summit more easily from USC."J. Brady McCollough. "[https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2021-11-28/usc-fans-should-know-new-football-coach-lincoln-riley Five things USC fans should know about new football coach Lincoln Riley]". Los Angeles Times, November 28, 2021. Accessed December 3, 2021. Riley himself cited, in an interview given to SportsCenter two days later, the "history and tradition of one of the greatest college football programs of all time, the city, the Mecca of sports right here in Los Angeles" were what had lured him over to USC.Wilton Jackson. "[https://www.si.com/college/2021/11/30/lincoln-riley-explains-leaving-oklahoma-usc-sportscenter-scott-van-pelt Video: Lincoln Riley Explains Why He Left Oklahoma for USC]". Sports Illustrated, November 30, 2021. Accessed December 3, 2021. Riley stated it was "tough" to leave Oklahoma but he "knew it was the right thing."{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32749012/lincoln-riley-calls-landing-usc-job-surreal-says-leaving-oklahoma-was-tough-right-thing|title = Riley says leaving OU was tough but 'right thing'|date = November 30, 2021|author-first1=Paolo|author-last1=Uggetti|website=ESPN}}
Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans started the season off hot going 6-0 but fell to the #20 Utes 43–42 on October 15, 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=401404017 | title=USC vs. Utah - Game Recap - October 15, 2022 - ESPN }} The Trojans won the rest of their regular season games, finishing the season ranked #4. In the Pac-12 Championship Game they lost to the Utes again, 47–24, and were knocked out of contention for the College Football Playoff.{{Cite web |last=Curtis |first=Jake |date=December 3, 2022 |title=Pac-12 Championship Game: Utah Wins, Knocks USC Out of CFP |url=https://www.si.com/college/cal/news/pac-12-championship-game-utah-wins-knocks-usc-out-of-cfp |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated Cal Bears News, Analysis and More |language=en}} USC faced the Tulane Green Wave in the Cotton Bowl, losing in the last few seconds, 46–45.{{Cite web |last=Curtis |first=Jake |date=January 2, 2023 |title=Pac-12 Bowls: USC Blows Late Lead in Cotton Bowl Loss |url=https://www.si.com/college/cal/news/usc-loses-cotton-bowl |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated Cal Bears News, Analysis and More |language=en}} USC's win probability stood at 99.8% after holding a 15-point lead with 4:30 remaining in the game.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401442013 |title=Tulane 46-45 USC (Jan 2, 2023) Box Score - ESPN |date=January 2, 2023 |accessdate=July 6, 2023}}
Personal life
Riley graduated from Texas Tech in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in exercise and sports science.{{Cite web |title=Lincoln Riley - Football Coach |url=https://usctrojans.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/lincoln-riley/5457 |access-date=August 25, 2022 |website=USC Athletics |language=en}} He has a wife and two daughters.{{Cite web|url=http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209847157&DB_OEM_ID=31000|title=Head Coach Lincoln Riley|website=OU Athletics|language=en|access-date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123121407/http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209847157&DB_OEM_ID=31000|archive-date=January 23, 2019|url-status=dead}} His younger brother, Garrett Riley, currently serves as the offensive coordinator at Clemson University, and was previously the running backs coach at Appalachian State.{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2020 |title=SMU names Garrett Riley, brother of Lincoln, as co-offensive coordinator |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28532819/smu-names-garrett-riley-brother-lincoln-co-offensive-coordinator |access-date=February 24, 2021 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}
Head coaching record
{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = both }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = Oklahoma Sooners
| conf = Big 12 Conference
| startyear = 2017
| endyear = 2021
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference
| year = 2017
| name = Oklahoma
| overall = 12–2
| conference = 8–1
| confstanding = 1st
| bowlname = Rose
| bcsbowl = yes
| bowloutcome = L
| ranking = 3
| ranking2 = 3
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference
| year = 2018
| name = Oklahoma
| overall = 12–2
| conference = 8–1
| confstanding = 1st
| bowlname = Orange
| bcsbowl = yes
| bowloutcome = L
| ranking = 4
| ranking2 = 4
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference
| year = 2019
| name = Oklahoma
| overall = 12–2
| conference = 8–1
| confstanding = 1st
| bowlname = Peach
| bcsbowl = yes
| bowloutcome = L
| ranking = 6
| ranking2 = 7
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference
| year = 2020
| name = Oklahoma
| overall = 9–2
| conference = 6–2
| confstanding = 2nd
| bowlname = Cotton
| bcsbowl = yes
| bowloutcome = W
| ranking = 6
| ranking2 = 6
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| year = 2021
| name = Oklahoma
| overall = 10–2
| conference = 7–2
| confstanding = 3rd
| bowlname = Alamo{{efn|group=record|Riley departed for USC prior to the bowl game.}}
| bcsbowl = no
| ranking = 13
| ranking2 = 14
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
| name = Oklahoma
| overall = 55–10
| confrecord = 37–7
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = USC Trojans
| conf = Pac-12 Conference
| startyear = 2022
| endyear = 2023
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = division
| year = 2022
| name = USC
| overall = 11–3
| conference = 8–1
| confstanding = 1st
| bowlname = Cotton
| bowloutcome = L
| bcsbowl = yes
| ranking = 13
| ranking2 = 12
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2023
| name = USC
| overall = 8–5
| conference = 5–4
| confstanding = T–4th
| bowlname = Holiday
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = USC Trojans
| conf = Big Ten Conference
| startyear = 2024
| endyear = present
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2024
| name = USC
| overall = 7–6
| conference = 4–5
| confstanding = T–9th
| bowlname = Las Vegas
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
| name = USC
| overall = 26–14
| confrecord = 17–10
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
| overall = 81–24
| yearstart = 2017
| yearend =
| poll = two
}}
{{notelist|group=record}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://usctrojans.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/lincoln-riley/6610 USC profile]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150113053447/http://www.ecupirates.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/riley_lincoln00.html East Carolina profile]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150113062912/http://www.texastech.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/riley_lincoln00.html Texas Tech profile]
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}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Riley, Lincoln}}
Category:American football quarterbacks
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