The Oklahoma Sooners could be in danger of losing head coach Lincoln Riley to the NFL following this upcoming season.
Any head coach that can produce back-to-back Heisman trophy winning quarterbacks who also go first overall in subsequent NFL Drafts is going to have plenty of suitors. That was the case this offseason for Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley.
While evaluating Mayfield and all the Oklahoma talent, NFL evaluators thoroughly praised the creativity of Head Coach/Play Caller Lincoln Riley. Oklahoma has become one of the top destinations for NFL coaches to learn from. Nearly all 32 teams have come through Norman to learn.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) April 27, 2018
Riley, after two years at the helm of one of college football’s most exciting offenses, was a hot name among NFL coaching searches without ever expressing interest in leaving Norman. That hasn’t stopped some from speculating about his jump up a level. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen tweeted in April the NFL has worked tirelessly to get to Oklahoma and see the offensive guru at work.
New details have emerged in Riley’s extension with the Sooners that point to him possibly jumping ship for the NFL earlier than some expected. It was only a few months ago he accepted an extension. Eric Bailey of Tulsa World has buyout details of Riley’s contract and it won’t cost much for him to leave the Sooners, for another college job, or if he wants to jump to the NFL.
"The contract specifies the coach would be responsible to pay OU 22.5% (about $4.6 million) of the remaining guaranteed compensation. The amount drops about $1 million each year. On March 16, 2022, the amount will be waived by OU."
That $4.6 million is likely pennies to what he will receive to become an NFL head coach. For comparison take a look at Kliff Kingsbury. He’s another offensive mastermind who left the college ranks (Texas Tech) and became an NFL head coach. Kingsbury did not have anywhere near the level of success that Riley has had, including a career losing record at Texas Tech. That did not stop the Arizona Cardinals from handing him a four-year deal. The Cardinals also paid the buyout on his previous deal.
Riley would command more than his fellow Big 12 alumnus Kingsbury. With head coaching jobs in the NFL constantly changing, he can also be patient and find the perfect landing spot. This is the life of successful college coaches, and Riley is one of the best.