Lincoln Riley Says Talks With USC Started After Oklahoma Loses Bedlam: ‘It’s A Little Bit murky’

The period between Oklahoma’s loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday and USC’s offer of Lincoln Riley as his head coach was “a bit of a blur,” as the freshman Trojan coach revealed in an introductory press conference. in Monday.

Indeed, Riley – speaking to the media for the first time in an official capacity at USC – revealed the university did not approach him for its open head coach position until the 10th-ranked Sooners lost 37 -33 against Oklahoma State in Bedlam. .

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“Honestly, it’s been a little lackluster. We went home, played Saturday night, early Sunday morning. And got word from USC that there was some real interest,” Riley said. “So I talked a little bit about the issue early that morning, slept a couple of hours. Had the opportunity to Zoom in with some of our university leaders and talk about what might be up. . It all comes fast. And to be honest in this day and age in college football, it has to be. It’s just the way of the world right now.”

Riley, who described his introduction to Los Angeles as “surreal,” said USC’s historic position as one of college football’s top shows stood out to him as the president. college Carol Folt and athletic director Mike Bohn, among others, put the USC job on him. That status, coupled with the “comprehensive alignment” and “excitement” behind the team, helped him make the decision to leave Norman, Okla., for LA.

“It all came together pretty quickly. I’ve had some conversations, some tough conversations going back and forth to make decisions. It’s been tough leaving where I am, but at the same time, I’m know this is the right thing to do. know where me and my family want to be.”

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Riley’s recollection of events late Saturday and early Sunday also matches a timeline of events that Oklahoma athletics director Joe Castiglione presented at a news conference in Oklahoma earlier on Wednesday. Two.

“Then on Sunday morning, the second half of Sunday morning, I got a call from (Riley) saying he was considering it and would talk to USC and then he would get back to us. We agreed to meet a few hours later,” Castiglione told reporters. “And President (Joseph) Harroz, Lincoln and I met and that’s when he told us he was on a visit and he was making the decision to grab a one-of-a-kind opportunity. .”

That said, Riley – who hit 55-10 in five seasons at Oklahoma, making four New Year’s stops, four Big 12 championships and three College Football Qualifier appearances – said that it was a difficult decision to leave the show where he started. .

“I thought it was fitting for me to recognize the University of Oklahoma, its impact on me, the people there. I told the group earlier, the hardest decision of my life was to come here. That person over there is huge to me,” Riley said, before pausing to gather herself. “I’m grateful to them. I’m grateful to have spent my time here. It’s one of the best college football programs in the country and has always been and will continue to be. So thank you very much to me. spent time here.”

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Riley said he was aware of the USC job when it opened in September but was not at the time interested in it as a potential destination, adding that he was happy with Oklahoma at the time and happy. happy with the university when he left. That said, reports suggest he’s unhappy with the Sooners’ impending jump from the Big 12 to the SEC, a rumor that was not made or corroborated during his press conference.

However, Castiglione said Riley was included in the process and discussed the Oklahoma move and agreed to it.

“As the opportunity presented itself and I learned more about it, it became more and more clear to me, our family, and several key members of our staff that this was a step in the right direction,” says Riley. .

Bohn – who alluded to Riley’s history of producing top midfielders and recruiting prowess – also told reporters present at Monday’s conference that he was always seen as a prime target for the Trojans. for its open head coach position:

“It’s similar to what’s going on on campus, which involves any leadership position. President Folt challenged me. She said, ‘Do the best. Do the best.’ ‘ So that’s Lincoln Riley, no doubt. So he’s No. 1, and obviously that’s our goal. No questions asked.”