Caleb Williams responds to Lincoln Riley leaving Oklahoma
Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley left his stable in Norman on Sunday, as he reportedly accepted the head coaching job at USC. Shortly thereafter, quarterback Caleb Williams took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the move — and he declined to comment on his future in a Sooners’ uniform.
“I appreciate all the concerns about the situation but I am also happy for Coach Riley, mama Riley, Sloan and Stella for that huge opportunity ahead,” Williams said. “That’s all I plan to say right now! #boomer”
Williams, a true freshman that ranked a five-star recruit in On3 Consensus rankings, entered the season as Oklahoma’s backup quarterback. To no one’s surprise, Riley started the season with Spencer Rattler, the preseason Heisman Trophy favorite, under center, but after a slew of subpar performances — coupled with Williams’ come-from-behind victory over Texas — Williams took over the starting role. In that time, he’s solidified himself as a multifaceted quarterback, carrying Riley’s offense with 1,670 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and four interceptions on a 62.5 completion rate, while also rushing for 408 yards and six touchdowns on 72 carries.
Riley leaves Oklahoma, Williams to play under Bob Stoops
With Riley out, the Sooners are turning to a program legend to take over as the 10-2 Sooners head into the postseason: Bob Stoops.
According to a report from The Athletic, Stoops is coming out of retirement to coach Oklahoma in its impending postseason bowl game. Stoops last coached the Dallas Renegades of the XFL in 2020, but he has not coached in college since he left Oklahoma in 2016; after his departure, Riley took over as head coach.
Stoops was Oklahoma’s head coach from 1999-2016. He came to Oklahoma from Florida, where he served as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, and Oklahoma was the only head coaching job of his career. In 18 seasons, Stoops went to 18 bowl games, going 9-9 in postseason play. He won Oklahoma its last national title in 2000, when the Sooners finished 13-0 and won the Orange Bowl in just his second year at the helm. By the time of Stoops’ retirement in 2016, he had amassed a 190-48 record in Norman, and he was succeeded by Riley.
Riley reportedly accepted the USC head coaching job Sunday. Contract details have yet to be announced. Per USA Today, Riley was the fifth-highest paid coach this season with a $7.672 million salary.
In his fifth season with the Sooners, Riley was tabbed as the heir to Stoops’ dynasty. Oklahoma is 10-2 this season and was on the cusp of a College Football Playoff berth until its loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday night. A win would have set up the Sooners to meet the Cowboys in Dallas for the Big 12 title this coming weekend.
Riley took over for Stoops in June 2017. Initially hired by Stoops as an offensive coordinator in 2015, Riley built the Sooners into a top-10 offense in the 2016 season and won the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach.
There are a handful of reasons why Riley would want to make the move. For starters, Oklahoma is set to join the SEC in the coming years and as early as 2023. While the Sooners are constantly in the playoff conversation and winners of six-consecutive Big 12 titles, making the jump to the most competitive conference in the nation could backfire.
With a 55-10 overall record and 37-7 mark in conference play at Oklahoma, Riley has made the playoff four times but still doesn’t have a national title game appearance. Making the move to USC gives the 38-year-old head coach a backyard loaded with talent.