Lincoln Riley Bio: Age, Height, Weight, Hometown, Career, College, Family and more

Lincoln Riley, a prominent figure in American college football, boasts a remarkable career both as a player and coach. He initially made his mark as a walk-on quarterback at Texas Tech, displaying his passion and dedication to the game. Riley is particularly renowned for his innovative offensive strategy known as the “Air Raid.”

In his current role, Lincoln Riley holds the prestigious position of head coach for the USC Trojans football program at the University of Southern California. Prior to this, he had a successful five-season tenure as the head coach at the University of Oklahoma, where he left a lasting impact from 2017 to 2021. Read this article to know more about Riley’s age, height, career, wife, etc.

Dossier

Early Life

In the world of sports, the journey of Lincoln Riley began in his hometown of Muleshoe, situated in the heart of West Texas. His high school football career took an intriguing evolution. Riley started his career as a defensive end but his versatility led him to switch significantly to quarterback in his junior as well as senior years. 

In 2002, his college football adventure took him to Texas Tech University. He entered there as a walk-on. Later, he joined the team as a quarterback though he faced tough competition from Kliff Kingsbury who later became Texas Tech Coach, and the backup quarterback, B.J. Symons. For his impressive career in the sport, his determination and passion for the game set the stage for Riley. 

Career as a Player

Lincoln Riley’s journey into the world of coaching began in 2003 when he transitioned from a player to a student assistant at Texas Tech. Under the mentorship of Mike Leach, he boarded on a new phase of his football career. Over time, Riley evolved from a student assistant to a graduate assistant, and his role expanded to include coaching wide receivers.

However, a significant turning point in Riley’s coaching trajectory occurred when Mike Leach departed from Texas Tech. This transition prompted Riley to seek fresh opportunities, ultimately leading him to East Carolina University. There, he collaborated with head coach Ruffin McNeill, serving as the offensive coordinator for an impressive five-year stint. This experience allowed Riley to refine his coaching acumen and contribute significantly to offensive strategies.

Coaching Career

Lincoln Riley’s coaching legacy at the University of Oklahoma is nothing short of remarkable. During his tenure, he achieved a remarkable 55-10 record, solidifying his status as one of the most successful coaches in the history of the OU program. Notably, Riley boasts the highest winning percentage among all coaches in the annals of Oklahoma Sooners football.

One standout facet of Riley’s time at Oklahoma was his exceptional talent for recruiting and nurturing quarterbacks. He played a pivotal role in the development of two extraordinary quarterbacks, both of whom clinched the prestigious Heisman Trophy. Under Riley’s guidance, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray achieved this remarkable feat in consecutive seasons, highlighting Riley’s exceptional coaching prowess and his knack for nurturing talent on the gridiron.

Lincoln Riley’s Family

Lincoln Riley was. Raised in Muleshoe, Texas a town located in the Texas Panhandle. His parents, Mike and Marilyn Riley are a part of his life. Growing up Lincoln’s father ran a cotton warehouse, in Muleshoe for years. He also has a brother named Garrett who shares his passion for football. Currently, Garrett holds the position of coordinator at Clemson University.

The Riley family is known for their bond and knit relationship. Lincoln has always emphasized the significance of family in shaping his life and achieving his dreams. He expresses gratitude towards his parents for their support and love.

Similarly accomplished in football coaching Lincoln’s brother Garrett is gaining recognition as one of the coordinators nationwide. The bond, between the Riley brothers, is unbreakable as they have been each other’s pillars throughout their careers.

Lincoln Riley married Caitlin Buckley in the year 2007 and the couple are parents to two children. Lincoln Riley and Caitlin Buckley started dating each other in 2002 and since they have been together. 

The wedding of Riley and Caitlin took place at Olive Garden, Texas and they went on honeymoon to Hawaii. Sloan Riley is the name of their elder daughter while Stella Riley is the name of their younger daughter. Boomer and Sooner are the names of the pets of Lincoln Riley. 

They both met for the first time at Texas Tech University. Caitlin was on the Basketball team at the university while Riley represented the College football team as quarterback. They both felt spark and from then their paths never get separated.

Net Worth

Lincoln Riley’s current net worth is estimated to be around $31 million. He is one of the highest-paid college football coaches, earning a salary of $10 million in 2023.

Lincoln Riley’s Social Media Followers

Lincoln Riley actively uses Instagram and has more than 61k followers on this social media platform. His bio on Instagram says “Head Football Coach for the USC Trojans #FightOn”. He posts pictures of his family, friends, inspirational quotes, and team players too. 

One of his recently posted Instagram reels showing him giving a pep talk to his team players in the dressing room with full enthusiasm shows his determination towards the game. In this short clip, you can listen to him motivating the players of the USC Trojans, “Rise to the opportunity, our time is here”. 

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