FRISCO, Texas (AP) – Lincoln Riley never expected this.
Two months ago, he was the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma. On Monday, the 33-year-old Riley was center stage representing the preseason league favorites as the youngest head coach in the Bowl Subdivision less than six weeks after Bob Stoops’ surprise retirement following 18 seasons, 10 conference titles and a national championship with the Sooners.
“It’s been probably best described as whirlwind,” Riley said. “Tough to describe kind of all the emotions that went into that day and that decision, and still a little bit of a dream for me.”
Riley said he feels prepared to be a first-time head coach after time spent the past two seasons as the offensive coordinator for Stoops, who will continue to be a resource for the new coach. Stoops is now a special assistant to athletic director Joe Castiglione.
There is also continuity with the rest of the staff intact and the addition of former East Carolina head coach and former Texas Tech assistant Ruffin McNeill as defensive tackles coach and assistant head coach.