Oklahoma Football: 3 coaching candidates to replace Lincoln Riley

After a successful five-year career with Oklahoma football, rumors are flying that Lincoln Riley and USC are finalizing a contract that will make him the next head coach of the Trojans.

While nothing has been made official just yet, it’s wild to see that he shot down LSU rumors earlier in the day only to potentially take another job. I guess he wasn’t lying when he said he wasn’t going to be the Tigers’ next head coach.

With Oklahoma likely looking for a Riley replacement, who stands out as the early candidates?

3. Mark Stoops, Kentucky HC

Mark Stoops has been a popular name this year in terms of head coaching vacancies and I’d be surprised if LSU doesn’t at least inquire about Bob Stoops’ brother.

The brother of the former Oklahoma head coach would be a great hire because, well, if you can win football games at Kentucky, you can absolutely excel in Norman. The Sooners need a proven coach who can win the big game and I think Stoops has the ability to beat some top teams and coaching in the SEC has prepared him for that.

Lincoln Riley’s biggest criticism was that he couldn’t get over that hump. He could make the playoff, but he couldn’t win a game when he got there.

I think if given the resources and if his team made the playoff field, Stoops is a good enough coach to win the Sooners a game. Plus, he’s a solid recruiter. He has recruited well at Kentucky so that would absolutely translate to success at Oklahoma. Plus, he’ll be back in the SEC at Oklahoma in a couple of years if he does take the job.