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Lincoln Riley Coaching Record & Bio
By Chris Wright
Last Updated:
Lincoln Riley’s star has risen quickly through the college football coaching ranks. A successful and innovative offensive coordinator, Riley landed his first head coaching job in 2017 and was named USC’s head football coach in 2022.
Riley enters the 2025 season with a career record of 81-24. He is 26-14 entering Year 4 with the Trojans.
Lincoln Riley Coaching Record
| Season | School | Record (Conference) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | USC | 7-6 (4-5 Big Ten) |
| 2023 | USC | 8-5 (5-4 Pac-12) |
| 2022 | USC | 11-3 (8-1 Pac-12) |
| 2021 | Oklahoma | 10-2 (7-2) |
| 2020 | Oklahoma | 9-2 (6-2 Big 12) |
| 2019 | Oklahoma | 12-2 (8-1 Big 12)* |
| 2018 | Oklahoma | 12-2 (8-1 Big 12)* |
| 2017 | Oklahoma | 12-2 (8-1 Big 12)* |
* – Reached College Football Playoff
Lincoln Riley Coaching History
- 2022-present: Head coach, USC
- 2017-2021: Head coach, Oklahoma
- 2015-2016: Offensive coordinator, Oklahoma
- 2010-2014: Offensive coordinator, East Carolina
- 2007-2009: Assistant coach, Texas Tech
- 2006: Graduate assistant, Texas Tech
- 2003-05: Student assistant, Texas Tech
Lincoln Riley Bio
Lincoln Riley is a former quarterback at Texas Tech who learned the Air Raid offense under legendary coach Mike Leach.
Riley quickly became a rising star in the coaching fraternity, earning his first offensive coordinator role at East Carolina at the age of 27. He was 33 when Oklahoma promoted him from offensive coordinator to head coach, replacing the legendary Bob Stoops.
Everywhere Riley has been, his offenses have flourished.
Riley has coached three Heisman Trophy winners (Caleb Williams, USC, 2022; Kyler Murray, Oklahoma, 2018; Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma, 2017) and also a runner-up (Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma, 2019).
USC hired him with hopes of returning to its national championship winning ways, but Riley enters Year 4 in 2025 still hoping to lead the Trojans to the College Football Playoff for the first time.
FAQ About Lincoln Riley
Did Lincoln Riley play in college?
Lincoln Riley was a walk-on quarterback at Texas Tech but quickly transitioned into a student assistant for coach Mike Leach.
What is Lincoln Riley's salary at USC?
Lincoln Riley makes more than $10 million per year, according to multiple reports. Riley signed a 10-year, $110 million deal in 2022. USC is a private university and not required to reveal salary information.
What is the Air Raid offense?
The Air Raid offense is a system built around a heavy volume of short, safe passes to wide receivers and running backs. Lincoln Riley runs the Air Raid offense, but also adds an RPO option, allowing his quarterbacks to make quick decisions about whether to run or pass.
How many Heisman Trophy winners has Lincoln Riley coached?
Lincoln Riley has coached 3 Heisman Trophy winners and 1 Heisman Trophy runner-up.
- 2022: Caleb Williams (USC), winnner
- 2019: Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma), runner-up
- 2018: Kyler Murray (Oklahoma), winner
- 2017: Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), winner