Lincoln Riley Leaving Oklahoma, Headed to USC

Lincoln Riley Leaving Oklahoma, Headed to USC

Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley is leaving the program to take the head coaching position at USC, per multiple reports from The Athletic and On3 Sports. Riley had a 55-10 overall record with the Sooners.

Riley, who just recently denied rumors of leaving Oklahoma for the LSU job, led the team to a 10-2 record in a rollercoaster season. The program squeaked by in early games before starting quarterback Spencer Rattler was benched for freshman Caleb Williams. On Saturday, the Sooners fell to in-state rival Oklahoma State 37-33, capping off the regular season.

In his fifth season at the helm of Oklahoma football, Riley has had a successful tenure, often dominating Big 12 opponents behind star QBs like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts. However, his Kryptonite was College Football Playoff semifinals, as Riley and the Sooners were 0-4 in their appearances.

The move from Oklahoma to California came as a shocking one on Sunday, with speculation that the 38-year-old wouldn’t change scenery unless it was to the NFL, per The Athletic. Contract details with the Trojans have yet to be released, but one can assume that the salary will be similar to, or better, than Oklahoma’s $7.6 million tag.

USC had a dismal 2021 season, finishing 4-7. The Trojans fired head coach Clay Helton on Sept. 13 following a 14-point loss to Stanford and as a result, figured to be a prime coaching landing spot in the offseason, but Riley has quickly filled the vacancy.

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