Lincoln Riley on Getting a Curveball From USC

USC head coach Lincoln Riley has been asked numerous times about what went into his decision to leave Oklahoma for USC in late November of last year. It was a move that shocked the entire college football world. Riley had an Oklahoma program that seemed to be humming along with one of the game’s bright young stars at quarterback. And nothing about USC’s previous football coaching hires or Riley’s past coaching history suggested they would be an obvious match.

On Wednesday, Riley published a piece in The Players’ Tribune recalling his time at Oklahoma and offering context for his decision to take the job at USC.

Riley spent the first 16 paragraphs offering fond memories of his time at Oklahoma. There was getting a phone call from Bob Stoops with a job offer to become the Sooners’ offensive coordinator. And it culminates with the thrilling Red River Rivalry comeback win against Texas this past season.

“I could go on for days,” Riley wrote. “There are countless memories, both on and off the field, from my time at Oklahoma that will stay with me forever.”

Riley offered thanks to everyone in the Oklahoma program who supported him during that time. He also said he always believed Oklahoma would be the final stop of his coaching career.

That wasn’t to be, however.

“Sometimes life throws you curveballs at the most unexpected times,” Riley wrote.

This curveball came in the form of a phone call from his agent, letting Riley know there was interest from USC.

“I was immediately intrigued by the possibilities,” Riley wrote.

Lincoln Riley Takes the USC Job and the Oklahoma Fallout

Riley said the next phase of the process was a blur. He wrote that he took a Zoom call with USC officials, spoke to Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione and informed the Oklahoma team of his decision. He called speaking to the team “one of the most difficult moments of my life and career.”

Between the timing of his departure from Oklahoma and arrival at USC, there wasn’t much time to devote full attention to things that needed it. That short meeting with the Oklahoma players clearly still weighs on him.

“There are aspects of my departure and transition that I would certainly do differently if I could do it again, and I acknowledge that I could have handled some parts of the situation better,” Riley wrote. I absolutely own that.”

There was some guilt and sadness on the plane while making his way to Los Angeles. But that butted up against the excitement about USC and the possibilities and potential with the Trojans.

Riley has been consistent in his thought that he can build the best roster in college football at USC. He wrote that he was struck by the passion of the Trojan community to bring USC back to its rightful place in college football. And nearly five months into his USC tenure, there is no sense of buyer’s remorse.

“My family and I couldn’t be happier to be in Southern California as we begin this new chapter in our lives,” Riley wrote. “It honestly feels like a dream to wake up in paradise every single day.”

Riley wrote that the USC opportunity was “simply the right job at the right time” for him and his family. Similarly, he said penning this piece now felt like the write time to put this in his own words. Oklahoma fans and players have been fairly relentless in their takedowns of Riley since his decision.

“I don’t expect everyone to understand,” Riley wrote. “In my line of work, that’s not possible.”

This piece seems to be Riley’s attempt to provide some closure on his Oklahoma tenure. And with that, put to rest any lingering thoughts or questions that might be asked of him. He finished his essay striding confidently into his future as the head coach at USC.

“And now, as we start this new chapter, nothing can temper our excitement to chase championships at USC,” Riley concluded.