Absolutely Loony Rumor: Lincoln Riley (OU HC) to LSU

Submitted by Caesar on November 16th, 2021 at 6:03 PM

Here's one of several, admittedly speculative and easily-fabricated, sources. This was just too crazy a situation to not post about.

  • Spencer Rattler is a former 5-star OU QB who was on Netflix's QB1 and was recently benched in favor of a lower-rated freshman. 
  • Allegedly OU boosters had something to do with his benching. This had/has Riley steamed.
  • OU believes it is a strong enough brand to overcome his departure, and they will not match the alleged LSU offer. 

Assuming everything above is true, shouldn't Riley leave at this point? OU is already headed to SEC hell, and being at a school with very deep pockets, an arguably better recruiting base, and where he is given full control would be attractive. Maybe some of those assumptions are bad, however. I'm pretty sure all boosters are hard to deal with, whatever the program. 

For what it's worth, I think OU is likely wrong about losing Riley and about its brand. The school ushered in a near-miraculous transition of success from Stoops to Riley; even one dud coach can sink a school for decades--or worse. 

 

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bronxblue

November 16th, 2021 at 7:08 PM ^

It's funny too that Williams was then replaced by Rattler against Baylor because of ineffectiveness and had also struggled somewhat against Kansas earlier in the year.

OU got lucky with Riley being able to carry on the Stoops success, and going to the SEC with a new coach isn't going to be fun.

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Buy Bushwood

November 16th, 2021 at 7:54 PM ^

Riley's lived off Stoops' coattails in a conference that is essentially the WAC, with only one good team during his time as the HC in Norman.  He got lots to prove, and, in my estimation, is going to be a middling coach long-term. 

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Yooper

November 16th, 2021 at 8:29 PM ^

I can totally see this happening. LSU will pay whatever it takes. It’s a good job for sure, better than Oklahoma. The question for Riley is whether he he wants to be a college coach or bolt to the nfl. Most likely-his agent floated this to get Riley a raise. 

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Qmatic

November 16th, 2021 at 8:32 PM ^

The guy has hit the QB lottery as far as transfers; 2 Heisman winners and a guy who played in 3 CFP championship games. He’s also followed that up with two 5* QBs in the worst defensive Power-5 conference. I’m thinking he has tapped out at OU. They are going to be A&M in the SEC. A good team that is one of the best 8-4 teams in the nation. 

Now at LSU…it’s a different story.

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Ezekiels Creatures

November 16th, 2021 at 8:50 PM ^

Rattler was benched because he was not playing good. Caleb Williams completely changed the team. There were rumors that Rattler was going to transfer during the season. I did believe those because he had separated himself from some team activities, including going to the locker room right at the end of a game instead of staying out to celebrate with teammates and fans. And, his attitude was bad (reportedly) at practices.  He also removed the Oklahoma football symbol from his instagram. But then later he put it back on. And his attitude changed, because apparently he had talked with someone who convinced him to wait until the end of the season to enter the transfer portal.

As far as Lincoln Riley, odd as it may sound, there's lots of Oklahoma fans that want him fired. They should be careful what they wish for. They just may get it. There's been rumors of LSU being interested in him for some time now. And I would bet USC would love to have him too. Can you imagine what his offense would to to those PAC12 defenses?

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