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5 reasons Lincoln Riley is the perfect coach for Oklahoma Sooners

By Akash Anavarathan

Nov 28, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley watches a replay during the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma won 58-23. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley watches a replay during the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma won 58-23. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley (right) during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley (right) during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Lincoln Riley is an elite offensive mind

Riley runs his version of the Air Raid offense. By now, you’re probably thinking, “What’s the big deal, a lot of schools run that style of offense?” But here’s the difference — not many coaches have run that style of offense as successfully as Riley.

In his first season with Oklahoma, the Sooners had the seventh-ranked offense and that led them to a College Football Playoff berth. It was heralded by Baker Mayfield, Samaje Perine and Sterling Shepard. It was an offense that was littered with talent, but groomed by a young Lincoln Riley.

He ran it to perfection and in doing so won the Broyles Award, which is handed out to the top assistant coach in all of college football.

Didn’t think Riley could pull it off after some departures and high expectations? Wrong. He came back even stronger in the second year, leading the Sooners to a second-ranked offense, only behind his Alma Mater Texas Tech. 

It was an offense that averaged 554.8 yards per game and absolutely torched Big 12 defenses. Riley’s elite offensive coaching will be the key to their success this year. If he continues to dominate teams, they should be back in the Playoff, with a serious chance to make a run at the Natty.

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