Barry Switzer suspects money, lack of desire to coach in SEC drew Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma to USC

Barry Switzer has been accused of many things in his long, colorful life, but being unvarnished is not one of them. Speaking on the “Paul Finebaum Show” on Wednesday, Switzer was his usual blunt self when talking with the titular host about Oklahoma, Lincoln Riley, and why he left after the 2021 season.

In short, Switzer thinks the money helped pull Riley to leave Oklahoma for USC. He also thinks he didn’t totally desire to coach in the SEC. Plus, as for the money, Switzer pointed out that Oklahoma leaving the Big 12 for the SEC follows a similar line of thinking.

“You know, people got upset with Lincoln Riley about how he left,” Switzer said. “I said how do you leave? Do you call your team in before a game and say ‘Hey guys, I’m quitting, this is my last game to coach you guys.’ You aren’t saying that. You gotta go through the season and finish. And people said he only moved for the money, he just got a $10 million contract out there. Bought him a — I forgot how many square foot house, 18,000, 20,000 square foot house out in Malibu. Coaches move for money, hell football teams, schools move for money. That’s what we’re doing. We’re going to the SEC for the money, Paul. So what the hell is wrong with football coaches doing the same thing?”

Switzer is no fool, though. He was certain that the move wasn’t some spur of the moment decision, but rather a weeks-long orchestration handled mostly by agents.

“It was a surprise to everyone. Bob Stoops told me that Lincoln hadn’t told him that he was leaving. I think his agent had been working on this for some time,” Switzer said.

And you can’t argue with the success Riley has had at USC, Switzer said. He took a team that was putrid in 2021 and was on the brink of the College Football Playoff. Sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams starred and won the Heisman Trophy.

Just don’t remind Oklahoma fans where Williams played his freshman season, though.

“And that Heisman trophy winner happened to be at Oklahoma. That’s what really upset them,” Switzer said.