After a near century in the Big 12, the super-competitive SEC will welcome Oklahoma football next season. Oklahoma announced the transition in the summer of 2021, marking a three-season window before the Sooners jumped ship to join the toughest conference in the nation. Oklahoma, alongside the Texas Longhorns, began the domino effect of conference realignment while receiving criticism for leaving their long-term home of 95 years.
The fallout from OU’s departure to the SEC included paying a $100 million early termination fee and the eventual loss of head coach Lincoln Riley. The frontman became the first bench boss to leave OU for a different job since Chuck Fairbanks in 1973. Initial reports suggested Riley left Oklahoma to avoid the SEC. Earlier this month, during SEC Media Days, Oklahoma football AD Joe Castiglione claimed Riley did not share the excitement of his fellow coaches with the switch to the SEC, eventually leaving to fill the head coaching job vacancy with the USC Trojans. On Wednesday, Riley had a chance to rebut Castiglione’s comments.
Former Oklahoma Football HC Lincoln Riley: Shoots Down OU-Related Questions
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On Wednesday, USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley spoke during Big Ten Media Days. USC, formerly of the soon-to-be-defunct Pac-12, joins the Big Ten next fall. At one point, Riley fielded a question regarding Oklahoma football athletic director Joe Castiglione taking a not-so-subtle shot at him during their respective conference media days.
USC’s Lincoln Riley asked for his response to Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione saying “the (OU) coaches that weren’t (excited about joining SEC) aren’t here anymore”
“I’m not getting into that. Next question”
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 24, 2024
“I’m not getting into that. Next question,” said Riley when pressed about the apparent tension between him and his former employer, Oklahoma football. Reports surfaced after he departed from Norman, Oklahoma, after the 2021 season that the program’s move to the SEC propelled him to look for another job.
Earlier this month, Castiglione hinted at the validity behind the reports, claiming Riley did not share the enthusiasm of others regarding the move to the SEC. “I will tell you, without reservation, every coach we talked to was excited, and you know what? Those who weren’t aren’t here anymore,“ said Castiglione. “This is Oklahoma. Either get with it or get on with it.”
Riley: Opened Door For Brent Venables
After two seasons as the team’s offensive coordinator, Lincoln Riley was the head coach for the Oklahoma Sooners from 2017 to 2021. He compiled a fantastic 55–10 (.846) record during the stretch, owning the highest winning percentage of any coach in program history. Riley left for the USC Trojans in 2021. USC has gone 19-8 with Riley. With the departure of Riley, Oklahoma turned to longtime Clemson Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables to lead the program.
A two-time national champion, Venables, struggled in his first season, leading Oklahoma to a 6-7 record, their worst since 1997. However, they enjoyed an excellent bounce-back season last year, posting a 10-3 record. According to the SEC Preseason Media Poll, Oklahoma is a middle-of-the-pack team in the SEC next fall.
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