Lincoln Riley: The Next College Football Coaching Legend

Over the past two decades college football has produced some legendary coaches.

Pete Carroll won back-to-back National Championships at USC in 2003-04. After going 6-6 in his first season, he compiled a record of, 91-13.
Dabo Swinney has led Clemson to 5 straight final four appearances and has won 2 National Championships. Over the past 5 seasons, Dabo has led Clemson to a 14-1,14-1,12-2,15-0, and 14-1 record.
Nick Saban has won 6 National Championships and 8 SEC Titles. He is 152-23 as the head coach of Alabama.

They say the hardest thing to do in sports is replace a coaching legend. Bob Stoops spent 18 years as the Sooners head coach.

He compiled a 190-48 record.
121-29 in conference play.
Won 10 Big-12 Championships.
Won a national title in 2000.
Was 9-9 record in Bowl Games.

Riley has the best record of any Oklahoma Football coach over his first three years.

2017: 12-2, 8-1 in conference.
2018: 12-1, 8-1 in conference.
2019: 12-1,8-1 in conference.
3 straight final four appearances
Over the past 3 years Riley’s team has finished ranked 3rd, 4th, and 6th in the country.

Oklahoma has done this with three different quarterbacks. Baker Mayfield won The Heisman Trophy and was the No.1 overall pick in 2018. Kyler Murray won The Heisman Trophy and was the No.1 overall pick in 2019. Jalen Hurts was a Heisman Finalist and was drafted in the 2nd round by the Philadelphia Eagles. Riley has been called, “The Quarterback Whisperer.” Riley has another high-profile quarterback coming his way. Caleb Williams, Rivals.com’s top-ranked quarterback and No. 3 overall player in the 2021 class, officially committed to play at Oklahoma last week. Williams has drawn comparisons to Seahawks QB Russell Wilson.

There is a new coaching legend on the rise in Norman, Oklahoma. If you don’t know, now you know.