He did not say that he was leaving the Sooners to USC.
According to ESPN and multiple reports, Riley, 38 accepted the USC head-coaching job in a remarkable move. He succeeds Clay Helton who was fired after a record of 46-24 in seven seasons.
Riley led the Sooners to four consecutive Big 12 championships and three College Football Playoff appearances during his first four seasons. After a 37-33 defeat at Oklahoma State Saturday night, Oklahoma was eliminated in the Big 12 championship match.
After the loss to Bedlam, there was speculation that Riley was LSU’s replacement for Ed Orgeron. Riley stated, “I’m no longer going to be the next LSU head coach.”
Bob Stoops, former Oklahoma coach, will be inducted into College Football Hall of Fame Dec. 7. He will coach the Sooners’ Bowl game, according to a university source. This confirms multiple reports.
Before retiring in June 2017, Stoops was the Sooners’ coach for 18 seasons. Before he retired in June 2017, Stoops coached the Sooners for 18 seasons. He had a 190–48 overall record and led Oklahoma to a 2000 national championship. He was active in the program’s life, even helping to coach a practice last season when the staff was shorthanded due to COVID-19.
The Sooners are about to make the transition to the SEC, and Riley’s departure is a huge blow. Riley was a five-year veteran with a record of 55-10, which included a Big 12 record of 37-7.
Sources in the league told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Oklahoma has identified Kliff Kingsbury, Arizona Cardinals head coach, as a potential replacement for Riley.
After this season, Kingsbury still has one year on his contract.
