Oklahoma president: Sooners were blindsided by Lincoln Riley to USC

In a Monday press conference, Oklahoma president Joe Harroz said he learned the news of coach Lincoln Riley’s departure to USC the same time everyone else did. Despite being in talks “for weeks” with Riley about a contract extension, the two sides never came to an agreement.

Instead, Riley bolted for sunnier weather in California just a day removed from his first Bedlam loss. He took with him several Sooners assistants, including defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.

Riley leaves behind a team that finished the year 10-2 and will miss the Big 12 Championship Game for the first time since it was brought back in 2017. He amassed a 55-10 overall record in five seasons, including 37-7 in conference play. He was just 1-3 in bowl games.

Legendary Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, who retired in 2017, will serve as the interim coach in the bowl game.

Rumors had been swirling around Riley and OU for the past few weeks, though many expected the coach to leave for the LSU opening. But just minutes after Bedlam, the coach put those reports to rest in his postgame press conference.

“Let me stop you right there,” Riley said. “I’m not going to be the next coach at LSU. Next question.”

Although what the coach said was technically true, many Sooners faithful feel misled. That includes Oklahoma president Joe Harroz and athletic director Joe Castiglione, who weren’t expecting a coaching search of their own. Still, Castiglione said Monday that he did have a list of candidates prepared as a measure of caution.

One such candidate is Clemson defensive coordinator and associate head coach Brent Venables. He held the same position for the Sooners from 2004-11. First-year South Carolina coach Shane Beamer, who served on the Oklahoma staff from 2018-20, is another name that has been mentioned.

There’s also been some love for legendary Sooners quarterback Josh Heupel, the current coach at Tennessee. Heupel was the Heisman runner-up in 2000, the same year he led Oklahoma to an undefeated season and national championship. He developed a reputation as an offensive mastermind in three years with UCF before taking over the Volunteers.

Safe to say, the Sooners won’t be lacking for coaches they can call.

“This job is gonna attract the very best in the coaching world and they’re already lined up and called,” Stoops said. “This is a real job. This is a great job and a great university with great leadership.”