Report: Six names to watch for Oklahoma head coach search

As the coaching carousel turns, Oklahoma is all of a sudden looking for a new head coach. After Lincoln Riley left for USC, the Sooners are now forced to find a new leader.

Usually the poster of stability, Oklahoma is thinking both short and longterm with their search. While they never expected Riley to up and bolt to California, the program is now faced with an all-important decision.

According to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, there are six names to watch as the Sooners search for their next head coach.

• Matt Campbell, Iowa State HC
• Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss HC
• Josh Heupel, Tennessee HC
• Brent Venables, Clemson DC
• Jay Norvell, Nevada HC
• Bob Stoops, Former Oklahoma HC

As you can see, Rittenberg’s list features a bevy of different experience levels and coaching styles. While Kiffin and Heupel would bring an offensive style similar to Riley’s, Venables and Stoops could bolster the Sooners defense.

Personally, Rittenberg believes Oklahoma should look for a defensive minded head coach in their search.

“The temptation for Oklahoma might be a Riley clone or a coach best positioned to retain quarterback Caleb Williams and others, and keep the points coming. There are some good offensive-minded coaches out there, such as Iowa State’s Matt Campbell. But Oklahoma can’t ignore how it won nationally in the past, and why it hasn’t in recent years,” wrote Rittenberg. “Defense would be a smart play for athletic director Joe Castiglione and the Sooners.”

The coaching carousel is turning, and Oklahoma is looking to make a splash. Their head coaching decision will shape the Big 12, SEC and college football as a whole in the future.

Bob Stoops: Oklahoma will still be giant in college football

No matter what, Bob Stoops still believes Oklahoma will be a giant in college football. While the Sooners program seems to be in disarray after the surprising departure of Riley, Stoops is steadying the program as their interim coach for the remainder of the season.

Stoops didn’t hesitate to accept the role of interim head coach, despite it requiring him to come out of retirement. Moreover, he didn’t hesitate to label Oklahoma as one of college football’s premier programs, despite what’s occurred over the past few days. He has faith that Castiglione will pick the right man to lead the program.

“Well, it’s an easy sell,” Stoops said of Oklahoma. “You sell the university, you sell the leadership here that’s in front of you, you sell the history of success, not just in the last 23 years — decades of success. And it’s going to continue to happen. We’ve got great leadership, great facilities, a great university to recruit to academically. All of it together, it’s still here. And this job with all of the pluses of it is going to attract a top, great coach, and Joe will find the right great coach. They’re out there, and this is an attractive job. So, give it time and I think everybody will be pleased with it.”

The eyes of the college football world are on Oklahoma. Time will tell who the Sooners choose to lead their program into a new era.