Lincoln Riley addresses perception SEC played role in leaving for USC

The coaching carousel got even crazier when Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma for USC Sunday afternoon. Monday night, Riley joined Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter in one of his first interviews since taking the position.

It was a whirlwind 24 hours for Riley. His Oklahoma Sooners lost to Oklahoma State in Bedlam Saturday night, and he told Van Pelt he got word of USC’s interest when he got back to Norman. By Sunday afternoon, news broke that he was taking the position.

But speculation started about why he left Oklahoma — notably about the Sooners’ impending departure from the Big 12 for the SEC. Remember, Oklahoma and Texas are planning to join the SEC by at least 2025.

Riley denied that reasoning during his interview with Van Pelt.

“I was completely in favor,” Riley said. “I was kept in the loop the whole way by our president and AD. I supported it the whole way. I thought it was the right move at the time and still think it was the right move. … It had zero impact on what went into that.”

Riley went 55-10 overall and 37-7 in five years as head coach at Oklahoma, including a 10-2 record this season. At USC, he’ll take over for Clay Helton, who was fired in September — two games into the 2021 season.

Oklahoma president makes ironic admission on Lincoln Riley blindside

According to Oklahoma president Joe Harroz, Lincoln Riley didn’t give his two weeks notice. Harroz, like most, was shocked to learn of Riley’s departure for USC just one day following the conclusion of the regular season.

“Obviously, you wish these events wouldn’t happen,” Harroz said in a Monday press conference. “He made a personal decision. Were we disappointed? Absolutely. That disappointment lasts until you realize that you now have to move forward. We would have liked more notice. We were surprised by it yesterday. That was his decision and you can only impact those things you can control. … He left, Joe and I looked at each other and said that was a surprise, now let’s get to work.”

The Sooners went scrambling to find a new coach, announcing legendary coach Bob Stoops would serve in the interim. Several assistant coaches, including defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, also left with Riley.

Additionally, Oklahoma has already seen coveted players decommit from its recruiting classes. That includes 2023 recruits five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson, five-star wide receiver Brandon Inniss and four-star running back Treyaun Webb.