USC football, Lincoln Riley shocked the college football world

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Nov 27, 2021; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley yells to his team during the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma State won 37-33. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /

There was no friction between Riley and Oklahoma

The situation between Riley and Oklahoma was not the same as Jimbo Fisher and Florida State. There were lots of friction between Fisher and the Seminoles, and the program was on the downslide.

If LSU is the best job in the country and Alabama has the best coach, Oklahoma is the cushiest job in college football. Boosters and alumni don’t get involved in recruiting, and there is consistency in administration.

Athletic Director Joe Castiglione hired Bob Stoops when he was a little-known defensive coordinator at Florida. Simply put, there was no reason for Riley to leave.

According to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, Riley wanted the challenge of reviving a brand, and the appeal of Los Angeles was too much to pass up.

On the USC/Riley bombshell: Things really escalated late last night and into this morning, I’m told. For Riley, it was the appeal of LA; the local recruiting talent; and the opportunity of trying to rebuild a brand. That was all very enticing to him. https://t.co/4008Dl0IR2
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 28, 2021

There is a lot to love about the USC job if you are Riley. Aside from being the site of the best sunsets in America, there are not many other places high school kids would want to play in the era of Name, Image, and Likeness.

When USC is rolling, they are the class of the Pac-12, and it is not a 1-1A situation either. The Trojans are far and away the No. 1 team on the West Coast, and everyone is playing for second.

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