Lincoln Riley gives bittersweet thoughts on Matt Wells firing

When Lincoln Riley leads his Oklahoma Sooners team onto the field on Saturday, a very familiar face will be in charge on the Texas Tech sideline. 

Texas Tech fired head coach Matt Wells on Monday, and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Sonny Cumbie is the interim head coach. Riley has mixed emotions about the situation given his relationships with both men.

“Regarding Texas Tech, a little bittersweet for me personally,” Riley said Tuesday. “Very tough to hear the news about Matt Wells. He’s become a good friend. I got to know him a little bit before being in this league and then certainly throughout the different events in this league. He’s one of the great guys in coaching. Heck of a ball coach, and no question he’s going to get his chance to continue to lead really good programs in the future.”

Wells had a 13-17 overall record at Texas Tech, and the Red Raiders were off to a 5-3 start in the 2021 season. The news of his firing surfaced days after Texas Tech’s third loss to the season to Kansas State, a game in which the Red Raiders led 24-10 at halftime but were shut out in the second half, losing 25-24.

Saturday will be a reunion for Riley and Cumbie

Cumbie played quarterback at Texas Tech from 2000-2004, and he was the starter in his final year. Riley was a walk-on quarterback for the Red Raiders in 2002 before becoming a student assistant until he graduated. 

“On the flip side, excited for a good friend in Sonny Cumbie, who I’ve known for a long time and in some ways kind of grew up together at Texas Tech in this business,” Riley added. “I know it’s not under ideal circumstances, I can remember getting my first opportunity to call plays under less than ideal circumstances many years ago, and ironically, Sonny was part of our staff when that happened.”

Riley called his first game in January 2010. Texas Tech went to the Alamo Bowl just after then-head coach Mike Leach was fired. Cumbie was a graduate assistant for the Red Raiders that season.

“So I know he’ll do a great job leading that program. Again, in a tough situation, but I’m excited personally for Sonny and his opportunity.”

The Red Raiders come to Norman as a 19-point underdog. They have been inconsistent on offense and have struggled to keep up with high-powered offenses. Oklahoma has the best offense in the Big 12, and will surely present challenges for their defense. 

The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.