Lincoln Riley a huge positive

[bullmarket]

He is young. He is smart He is innovative and he has been a fine OU Offensive Coordinator. He has been a good recruiter and he is now prepared and ready to be OU's head coach.
He has been on top of several other schools list as a potential Head Coach. If he did not get the OU job now, we would soon have lost him to another major school as their new HC. .

I am truly excited about our future in the new Lincoln Riley era of Sooner football. In my opinion I truly believe he will bring much success to OU football with his youth and energy. .

Thank you Bob for all you have done for many years for our great university and much good luck to you in your retirement

 

[BillyRay]

I completely concur Bull.

Hate to see Bob's era end. But I think Riley's youth and energy will really take the program in an exciting direction. Riley takes on a program that was already heading I think in a great direction. The future looks pretty bright with Riley at the helm.

 

[8085sooner]

I hope you guys are right but I have my doubts. I could see him at Houston, TT, or some mid program, right now. I just don't think he's ready to deal with the beast that is OU.

Dealing with the media, shielding players and coaches. Kissing up to the Alumni and donors. Taking it on the chin when something goes wrong. Stepping back when he's just learning to step in.

 

[Senior Sooner]

I hope you guys are right but I have my doubts. I could see him at Houston, TT, or some mid program, right now. I just don't think he's ready to deal with the beast that is OU.

Dealing with the media, shielding players and coaches. Kissing up to the Alumni and donors. Taking it on the chin when something goes wrong. Stepping back when he's just learning to step in.

All good points, 8085...A LOT of Validity, there. HOWEVER, and isn't there Always a However? Let's hope Riley steps in, and steps up, and does what Bob did HIS first year...Take Blake's Recruits and go all the way! That CAN happen! In OUr Dreams!

 

[iasooner1]

We're going to find out very soon...

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

Well we are a spoiled fan base. Stoops brought a Natty on year two and has been successful ever since. It could happen again but I doubt we'll see a HC repeating this tenure for 18 years. So just hang on for the ride!

 

[BillyRay]

I hope you guys are right but I have my doubts. I could see him at Houston, TT, or some mid program, right now. I just don't think he's ready to deal with the beast that is OU.

Dealing with the media, shielding players and coaches. Kissing up to the Alumni and donors. Taking it on the chin when something goes wrong. Stepping back when he's just learning to step in.

I don't think your cautious thinking can be argued against. Riley no doubt is very young, and is still VERY early in his coaching career. But he could also turn out to be a great surprise in just how well he can cope and handle a job like Oklahoma. If that turns out to be true, then OU could be set for a great and LONG run with Riley at the helm. If he turns OU into a beast, then he could very well be here for 20+ years.

 

[WP76]

While I'm optimistic about Lincoln Riley, there are no sure things in hiring football coaches (not named Saban or Meyer). There will be challenges and I just hope our spoiled fan base and idiotic state media don't drive him into the ground.

 

[td71sooner]

Given that Stoops, Boren and Castiglione have had the pleasure of working with him for two years, they would probably have a good feel for his readiness. While nothing is a sure bet, the known quantity is probably better that an unknown no matter what the resume. There are a few exceptions to that, but they probably aren't available.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

Given that Stoops, Boren and Castiglione have had the pleasure of working with him for two years, they would probably have a good feel for his readiness. While nothing is a sure bet, the known quantity is probably better that an unknown no matter what the resume. There are a few exceptions to that, but they probably aren't available.

This. Castiglione has a pretty good record of hires.

 

[PoncaCitySooner]

Bud Wilkinson was only 31 when he became HC of Oklahoma. I feel safe in saying that turned out pretty well. I think Lincoln will be an outstanding coach for OU.

 

[BillyRay]

While I'm optimistic about Lincoln Riley, there are no sure things in hiring football coaches (not named Saban or Meyer). There will be challenges and I just hope our spoiled fan base and idiotic state media don't drive him into the ground.

Or then again, RIley could very well be the next Saban or Meyer type of coach of the future.

 

[grOUch-in-Oz]

Lincoln Riley wouldn't be the "heir apparent" in such a positive fashion unless Stoops, et al, were sure he could handle the job. This is a very smooth move, no tears no trauma here, or at the University. It was pointed out that Bud Wilkinson, may his name be a blessing, was only 31 years old when he ascended to the throne.

BOOMER SOONER!

 

[ohyoubaby]

Lincoln Riley wouldn't be the "heir apparent" in such a positive fashion unless Stoops, et al, were sure he could handle the job. This is a very smooth move, no tears no trauma here, or at the University. It was pointed out that Bud Wilkinson, may his name be a blessing, was only 31 years old when he ascended to the throne.

BOOMER SOONER!

I remember when Stools came he was very young. I have to admit I didn't know who he was. OU at that time pretty much hired within. I trust Joe lets see what happens.

 

[ohyoubaby]

I meant Stoops stupid tablet.

 

[JConXtsy]

I meant Stoops stupid tablet.

please don't edit it. hahaha

 

[Soonerborn59]

Riley has been around the game as an assistant now for many years and even though he has never been a HC I think he realizes the pressure will be on him. I also believe he will handle it well and always represent OU with class. Like Stoops was in 1999, he is a bright young man who will succeed and will bring that fire, passion to win and prove himself to the college football world. I think OU is in great hands with this young man.

 

[runningback43]

Sounds a lot like the conversations we had 18 years ago.

 

[Oklabama]

This may not be an issue whatsoever, but the biggest difference with the way Bob came in and the way Lincoln is coming into the job is that Bob brought in HIS assistants along with those HE wanted to keep from Blake's group. Just saying.

 

[CTOkie]

I have to believe Riley is a safer bet for success than Gomer Jones was following Wilkinson in 1964 or that Gary Gibbs was following Switzer in 1989.
Jones just wasn't head coach material even after a stellar career as Wilkinson's right hand man.
Gibbs inherited a very "dirty diaper" in the wake of Switzer's forced retirement and a football program facing serious probationary penalties and a program saddled with a huge black eye on OU's reputation....plus Gibbs did not adopt Switzer's defiant "us against the world" mentality as Switzer had when he took over after the 1972 season with the team facing serious probationary penalties as well. To this day, I think Gibbs deserved a better fate.
Riley has many more resources at his disposal then Jones or Gibbs had.....and inherits a program that's stable and clean.

 

[JConXtsy]

and inherits a program that's stable and clean.

"clean"

 

[PryorFan]

Probably a big thing in Riley's favor is that he will come on board with a full staff already in place. The variable is Mike Stoops. He has got to come out better in 2017 then he did last year. I have not rewatched the Houston, TOSU and TT games from last year. Too gut wrenching.

 

[Scottsdale.Sooner]

Lest me forget that Stoops is not gone. He has the lofty position of special advisor to the AD. I don't see Riley stepping too far away from past dialogue. Stoops moved in when the house was on fire. He had a lot of latitude for implementing change. I suspect Riley can oil not overhaul the machine. Let's see what he does with the Defensive coaching staff. Will Mike Stoops adopt a positive or negative attitude? How can or will Lincoln handle this matter when or if it presents itself.

 

[Soonerheart]

I am extremely optimistic about Lincoln Riley. He is very capable, extremely intelligent and appears to be showing us that as head coach he will work very hard as a recruiter and as a promoter of the program.

The players have great respect for Riley. With everything else that OU has built up in recent years it’s going to help Riley recruit.

 

[FirecrackerFarts]

I love the fact that he brought in Ruffin McNeill. Solid hire.