Lincoln Michael Riley (born September 5, 1983) is an American football coach and former player who is currently the head coach at the University of Southern California (USC).
Lincoln Riley: Why did leave ou| Going to usc| How much is usc paying| Usc deal
Why did leave ou:
This was a personal decision solely based on my willingness to go take on a new challenge, and I felt like it was the right opportunity for me and my family to do that,” Riley said in a statement released by Oklahoma.
The announcement comes a day after the Sooners lost in Bedlam 37-33 and fell to 10-2 overall and 7-2 in Big 12 play. During his five seasons as head coach in Norman, Riley amassed a 55-10 record, had his teams ranked in the top 10 each year and made four College Football Playoff appearances.
Going to Usc:
“My time at OU has included some of the most special years of my life and my family’s lives,” Riley said in a news release from OU. “I had so many great memories and made so many great friends that we’ll take with us forever.
A lot of things that we were a part of here, I’m incredibly proud of — the success on the field, the success off the field, the players. Proud of the staff. Proud of the way we worked so well with the university and our administration.
How much is usc paying:
USC’s contract should be in the same ballpark. Riley signed a $38.9 million extension before the 2021 season that kept him under contract with Oklahoma through the 2025-26 season.
Per USA Today, that contract paid Riley $7.6 million annually through Jan. 1, 2026. USA Today also reports his buyout is $4.5 million.
Usc deal:
Riley became the first Oklahoma coach to leave for another college football job since 1946. Every other Sooners coach since then had either retired, been fired or — in the case of Jim Mackenzie — died on the job. That’s the definition of a destination gig.
Riley sort of used Oklahoma as a stepping stone. That’s a necessary realization as Sooners faithful treat their wounds and attempt to heal their injured pride.
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