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The hiring of Lincoln Riley at USC is a big deal.
The significance of Lincoln Riley going to USC was discussed by Paul Finebaum, Heather Dinich and Dan Orlovsky. (0:55)
6:26 PM
After learning that Lincoln Riley was leaving for USC, Oklahoma president Joe Harroz and athletic director Joe Castiglione held a news conference to discuss the situation.
Castiglione said they were surprised by yesterday but excited for tomorrow.
The three spoke of their disappointment in Riley's decision, but indicated that there was nothing he said that led them to believe he was leaving because of discontent at Oklahoma or the impending move to the SEC.
He made a decision. Were we disappointed? Absolutely. Until you realize you have to move forward, you will still be disappointed. We would like more notice.
Castiglione said that Riley didn't share any reservations when he was told of the SEC move.
He was engaged in our thoughts. He was on board with it. Castiglione said that he and Harroz had been discussing an enhanced contract for Riley for some time, and that he continued to be very much on board with it. There was no mention of unrest.
The process of Riley's departure was the same for fans as it was for Castiglione.
He called me on Sunday morning and said that he was going to speak to USC and then he would return to us. He agreed to meet later. He told us that he was making the decision to take a unique opportunity after visiting with us.
Castiglione said he had no idea that USC had engaged with Riley during the season.
"I have no reason to believe that there were any conversations prior to the time he told us," Castiglione said.
Stoops was asked if he would be interested in being an interim coach. Stoops interrupted and said, "Of course I will." I'll do anything I can.
Stoops said he was on the golf course when he got the call.
I wasn't playing well. He said that was the only reason he answered.
Stoops got back into his old role as the face of the Oklahoma football program, selling the university and looking back at his first news conference in Norman 23 years ago. He said that the Oklahoma program will be fine despite losing Riley.
Stoops said that there was something to be concerned about when he arrived. Four years without a winning record. There were no bowl games. We won the national title two years later. The place was in a bad shape in December of 1998. We're a perennial 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- 888-565- We're playing football.
The very best in the coaching world will be attracted to this job. They are already lined up and cold calling Joe. Lincoln Riley, coach Switzer and myself are the only three people in the history of the program that are bigger than the program.
Stoops said he has been working with several familiar faces and has been calling recruits. He was going to be out on the road recruiting on Monday.
He said he thought it was great. My wife is happy that I'm out of the house.
Castiglione said the job is attractive because of the reaction he's heard from other coaches.
Castiglione said that people are reaching out to people who wouldn't believe they had interest in it. "That's Oklahoma for you."
Several Oklahoma players have indicated they will explore the transfer portal since Riley's announcement. Stoops said that he's there to counsel the players, beginning with being in Sunday's meeting when Riley told the team.
Stoops said that they were in shock. They were respectful of coach Riley as he spoke to them. Some clapped for him as he left.
Castiglione refused to set a timetable or discuss the characteristics he's looking for in a head coach. Stoops and Riley were both hired by Castiglione. Stoops and Riley both worked at the University of Florida, with Stoops as defensive coach and Riley as offensive coach.
Why would I change the models? He wouldn't rule out a sitting head coach over a rising-star assistant. The best coach for the University of Oklahoma has always been my benchmark.
"It's going to be stealthy as usual," he said. We know the importance of time and timing. We'll move it quickly.
Despite the initial shock, the trio were positive. Stoops said that it was five years ago that he stepped aside, and that he delivered the same message now.
Stoops said that it was Lincoln's choice to leave. It's okay. You are the one who will make the plays or not. You guys win and lose. You're a football player. He is not. I'm not. Any other coach who comes here isn't. The football team has been here a long time. It is not going anywhere else. It's going to be here and it's going to be at the top of college football.
