Meet the candidates: Lincoln Riley

Throughout the day, KSR is profiling who we’re hearing are the top candidate for UK’s offensive coordinator position. First up, East Carolina’s Lincoln Riley…

LINCOLN RILEY

Current position: Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach, East Carolina
Age: 31
Twitter: @LincolnRiley
Alma Mater: Texas Tech
Current salary: $200,000

Coaching history:

2010 – present: Offensive Coordinator East Carolina
2008 – 2009: Inside Receivers Coach Texas Tech
2007 – 2007: Wide Receivers Coach Texas Tech

Offensive philosophy: Air Raid

Lincoln Riley is an Air Raid disciple, learning it from Mike Leach at Texas Tech and taking it to ECU with Ruffin McNeill in 2010. ECU has ranked in the top 25 nationally in total offense for three of the five seasons Riley’s been in charge, rising as high as third nationally this season with 543.8 yards per game. Although Riley learned the Air Raid directly from Mike Leach, it’s important to note that over the years, Riley’s version has evolved to include more rushing. Right now, 58% of ECU’s plays are passing and 42% rushing.

Current offensive statistics: 

Total offense: 3rd, 543.8 yards per game, 5,982 total (4,011 passing, 1971 rushing), 6.7 yards per play
Passing offense: 3rd, 364.6 yards per game, 332-520 (63.8%) for 4,011 yards total, 26 touchdowns, 7 interceptions
First downs: 2nd, 29.1 first downs per game, 320 first downs total (96 rushing, 195 passing, 29 penalty)

Not to be confused with…

Lincoln Riley the famous sommelier

The two really look alike, which made this morning’s Google Image search a little confusing.

We’ll have profiles of the other three candidates throughout the afternoon…