USC coach Lincoln Riley, once the target of hot seat talk after a season-opening loss to Oregon, was named to the watch list for the 2026 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award on Oct. 21, and Iowa Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz made the list alongside him.
According to Sports Illustrated, Riley is one of 28 coaches on the watch list for the award, which the American Heart Association presents annually to celebrate excellence in coaching. Ferentz, in his 27th season leading the Hawkeyes, is the Iowa name on a list that also includes Ohio State's Ryan Day, Indiana's Curt Cignetti, Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman and Alabama's Kalen DeBoer.
What the Bear Bryant Award Represents
The award honors the legacy of coaching legend Paul “Bear” Bryant, who died of a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement. USC described the honor in a release announcing the news.
”The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor coach Bryant's legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission,” the release stated. “Since its inception, the awards have united the football community in support of the Association's lifesaving work.”
Per USC Athletics, the watch list, finalists and Coach of the Year recipient are voted on by the National Sports Media Association and the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Executive Leadership Team, which includes members of the Bryant family and community leaders.
Why Lincoln Riley's Seat Was Considered Hot
The Trojans opened the 2026 season with the nation's No. 1 recruiting class, a returning star quarterback and a Hall of Fame defensive coordinator, and that combination raised expectations for Riley's fifth season in Los Angeles, LandonBuford.com reported. A loss to Oregon earlier this season sparked conversation about whether Riley was the right man for the job.
USC now sits at 6-1 with everything still on the table. Quarterback Jayden Maiava has impressed, multiple true freshmen have stood out, and the Trojans remain in the hunt for the program's first College Football Playoff appearance and a Big Ten Championship berth.
Even so, skepticism persists. ClutchPoints reported that despite a 6-1 start and a roughly $70 million buyout, some around the USC program remain skeptical that Riley is the guy to deliver a championship.
Kirk Ferentz and the Full Watch List
Ferentz remains the standard for stability in college football, having held the Iowa head coaching job since 1999. His inclusion on the watch list reflects another season in which the Hawkeyes program has stayed competitive in the Big Ten under his leadership.
The full 2026 watch list includes:
- David Braun, Northwestern
- Troy Calhoun, Air Force
- Bob Chesney, UCLA
- Curt Cignetti, Indiana
- Mario Cristobal, Miami
- Spencer Danielson, Boise State
- Ryan Day, Ohio State
- Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
- Jake Dickert, Wake Forest
- Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri
- Jason Eck, New Mexico
- Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
- Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame
- Willie Fritz, Houston
- Pete Golding, Ole Miss
- Josh Heupel, Tennessee
- Charles Huff, Memphis
- Rhett Lashlee, SMU
- Joey McGuire, Texas Tech
- Eric Morris, Oklahoma State
- Billy Napier, James Madison
- Tim Polasek, North Dakota State
- Lincoln Riley, USC
- Steve Sarkisian, Texas
- Morgan Scalley, Utah
- Kalani Sitake, BYU
- Kirby Smart, Georgia
- Will Stein, Kentucky
What Comes Next for USC and Iowa
USC returns from its bye week to face the Wisconsin Badgers on the road in prime time, a 4:30 p.m. PT kickoff on NBC. The Trojans still face No. 3 Ohio State, No. 6 Indiana and No. 9 UCLA, giving Riley's squad multiple opportunities to make a statement and climb into the top 10 of the AP Poll.
The College Football Playoff rankings will matter more than the AP Poll, and the Trojans have a small margin for error after losing to the Ducks. Oct. 17 offered a reminder of how hard it is to win consistently in college football, with a historic number of top-10 teams losing on the same Saturday. USC was off that weekend, enjoying the first of two bye weeks.
Riley said the break paid off immediately.
”Our Sunday night practice was phenomenal. Probably the best one we've had all year. You can tell the guys recharged. Bodies were feeling very good,” Riley said.
For Iowa fans, Ferentz's spot on the watch list is another sign that the program's longtime leader remains respected nationally, even as the coaching carousel spins faster each season around him. The winner will be announced after the season, following votes from the National Sports Media Association and the Bryant family's leadership team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award?
It is an annual award presented by the American Heart Association to honor excellence in college football coaching and to raise funds and awareness for the association's heart health mission. The award is named after legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who died in 1983.
Which Iowa coach is on the 2026 watch list?
Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz is one of 28 coaches on the 2026 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award watch list.
Why was Lincoln Riley considered to be on the hot seat?
USC opened the season with the nation's No. 1 recruiting class and high expectations, and a loss to Oregon fueled skepticism about Riley despite a 6-1 record and a reported $70 million buyout.