There is a ton of transition going on in Norman, Oklahoma these days as head coach Bob Stoops decided to clean house on his coaching staff. Stoops decided to go in a new direction with his offensive coordinator and it looks like he has decided to hire ECU’s Lincoln Riley.
Sources confirm that OU plans to name Lincoln Riley as its new play-caller and offensive coordinator. Riley has helped set records at East Carolina as the coordinator and quarterbacks coach the past five seasons. It’s a clear sign Bob Stoops is going back to the Hal Mumme/Mike Leach “Air Raid” style of attack that OU ran in the beginning of the Stoops Era (1999 under offensive coordinator Mike Leach). I’m told OU will emphasize getting its talented running backs in space in the attack and that Riley’s success and experience of play-calling helped him become Oklahoma’s choice.
I’m told Mike Leach and Hal Mumme gave rave reviews of Riley, who was a walk-on quarterback at Texas Tech and spent seven seasons in the Tech system. The 31-year old Riley is expected to be named OU co-offensive coordinator, play caller and QB coach in the near future. It’s expected that Stoops will immediately focus on naming a wide receivers coach, and that Riley’s input would be considered. Stoops announced last week that his co-coordinators Josh Heupel and Jay Norvell were not returning to the OU staff following the 8-5 season in 2014.
Riley’s impact at East Carolina under Head Coach Ruffin McNeal has been record-shattering. His offensive units rank No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 No. 4 and No. 5 on ECU’s single-season passing list. In addition, four of his five squads are listed first, second, third and fourth on the school’s yearly total offense ledgers, including a recent record-breaking 6,086-yard compilation in 2013.
This is a great hire for Oklahoma. Riley is one of the up and coming coordinators in the coaching industry and he certainly has a few weapons to work with in Norman. I am sure he is chomping at the bit to start working with Samaje Perine.