Joel Klatt gives strong take on Lincoln Riley-to-LSU rumors

Lincoln Riley has been one of the key names in the college football coaching carousel recently with several reports indicating the Oklahoma Sooners coach as a top target for the open job at LSU.

Earlier this week, FOX college football analyst Joel Klatt joined The Colin Cowherd Show and was asked if he believes there’s any validity to the notion Riley would bolt to Baton Rouge.

“I don’t buy them either,” Klatt said of the rumors and recent reports about Riley leaving Oklahoma for LSU. “I know Lincoln well in terms of broadcaster-coach relationship. He is a loyal guy. He is a guy that understands this job was sort of given to him when Bob [Stoops] stepped down and then all of a sudden he’s the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners. This is one of the most storied, historic programs in the history of college football.”

Since the monumental change in 2015 where the torch was passed from Stoops, Riley has showcased his unique football acumen. Furthermore, he’s proven himself as one of the top head coaches able to recruit well, run every aspect of the program and deal with the various functions that are expected at a premier program like Oklahoma.

With a 54-9 total record, four Big 12 titles and experience in the College Football Playoff, Riley is considered one of the top coaches in the country.

Klatt identifies biggest reason Lincoln Riley won’t leave Oklahoma

Back in 2015, Stoops handed the keys to the program to his young offensive mastermind. While Riley has certainly done his part to implement a system and culture that fit his coaching style, he understood Stoops’ loyalty to the history and tradition that made Oklahoma one of the storied college football programs in the country.

Klatt believes Riley feels a sense of loyalty to Stoops first and foremost, but the entire Oklahoma Sooners’ community as well.

“I think he feels an obligation to get them back to a point where they are winning national championships,” Klatt added. “I think Bob is still one of his major mentors and Bob turned down opportunity after opportunity and I think Lincoln will do the same.”

Klatt has a strong pulse on the college football landscape. Bruce Feldman, another longtime sports media veteran with connections throughout coaching circles, also shut down the notion Riley would bolt for LSU.

For now, it seems like the LSU brass is chasing a big-name hire that can truly compete with Nick Saban, Kirby Smart and the wave of top-tier coaches that are making the SEC more and more competitive.

All indications are Lincoln Riley won’t be the guy to replace Ed Orgeron.