Experts agree Lincoln Riley is outside top 10 college coaches
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 1:33 PM
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
Lincoln Riley is ranked 15th among college football coaches, according to The Sporting News. His record at USC stands at 35-18, with only 24 wins over the past three seasons. The Trojans have averaged five losses each year and have yet to make the College Football Playoff during his tenure. To regain top-10 status, Riley must guide USC to the playoffs in the upcoming 2026 season.
- •Riley is currently 15th among FBS coaches according to rankings.
- •He has a record of 35-18 in three seasons at USC.
- •USC has averaged five losses each of the past three years.
- •The Trojans have not made the College Football Playoff under Riley.
- •Achieving playoff qualification is crucial for Riley's coaching reputation.
- 1:33 PMYahoo Sports — Experts agree that Lincoln Riley is no longer a top-10 football coach
"Lincoln Riley is clearly not a top-10 college football head coach. If he wants back into that list, he has to make the playoff at USC, period
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