Oklahoma legislature proposes hilarious tribute to Lincoln Riley departure

An Oklahoma state senator proposed a bill to jokingly commemorate the departure of Lincoln Riley from the Sooners football program. The proposal would rename a three-inch section of highway in the Oklahoma panhandle the “Lincoln Riley Highway” as the last stretch of road before leaving Oklahoma to the west.

Oklahoma to immortalize Lincoln Riley’s departure

Following the news that Oklahoma’s former head coach Lincoln Riley would be leaving the program to become USC’s new coach, the Sooners program was left in a state of shock. Oklahoma Sen. Bill Coleman proposed a bill to sarcastically honor Riley, requesting that the last three inches of State Highway 325 be renamed the “Lincoln Riley Highway.”

The three-inch stretch would be the final piece of road that drivers would travel on as they leave Oklahoma to the west via the panhandle.

“I felt the State of Oklahoma needed an appropriate goodbye to this former head coach whose sudden departure left many in shock, including a team of young, dedicated college players. I found the tiniest section of our most desolate of highways to pay tribute to Coach Riley’s exit from Oklahoma football and the state,” Coleman said in a press release Tuesday.

“This is only fitting as this is the last three inches one sees before leaving our great state heading west.”

The bill will be a part of Oklahoma’s February legislative session, and could be voted into law at that time. Part of the bill designates that Sen. Bill Coleman himself would pay for any signs made to dedicate the stretch of land.

“While we are all free to pursue employment elsewhere, there is a level of professionalism that is expected to be adhered to,” Coleman said. “From all indications, professionalism was pretty much absent in how this departure was executed.”

Riley praises Oklahoma hiring Brent Venables

In an appearance on the Jim Rome Show, Riley expressed his excitement to see a friend of his get selected to be his replacement as coach of the Sooners.

“I think it’s awesome,” Riley said about how he felt seeing Brent Venables take over Oklahoma’s coaching job. “I’ve known Brent for a long time, he’s a good friend. To see him get that opportunity, I know he’s been waiting for the right opportunity for a long time. He’s certainly earned it.

“I know he’ll do a great job. We got a chance to visit a little bit, which was great, before he accepted the job. I’m really happy for him and his family. I know him well and he’ll do a great job there. They couldn’t have found a better choice.”