College football head coach rankings: Dabo or Saban? Who is the best young coach?
By Dante Pryor
- Career Record (three years): 36-6
- Conference Titles: 3
- National Titles: 0
Too many people throw the term genius around frivolously. However, Lincoln Riley is an offensive genius. The Sooners have averaged well over 40 points per game the three seasons he’s been the head coach of the Sooners.
His use of the quarterback position has been nothing short of masterful. Riley has had three transfer quarterbacks — all unique — run variants of his spread offense. Baker Mayfield threw with anticipation as well as any college quarterback ever.
Kyler Murray was an active dual-threat. He was as dangerous with his legs as he was his arm running for over 1,000 yards. Jalen Hurts, “the leader,” was a power runner and proved his prowess as a passer as well.
Oklahoma’s recruiting is a shade below elite, but the Sooners make up for that by targeting transformational quarterbacks. They’ve had three so far and look for Spencer Rattler to continue the line of quarterbacks in Norman.
He’s identified a need to improve recruiting defense and has addressed that through hiring new defensive staff.
Riley has put together a great coaching staff that is sure to yield a fruitful coaching tree. He’s mixed young up and coming coordinators like Alex Grinch (defensive coordinator), Shane Beamer (assistant offensive/tight ends) and DeMarco Murray (running backs) with great veteran coaches.
Veterans like Bill Bedenbaugh, Cale Gundy and Dennis Simmons round out a fantastic coaching staff for the Sooners.
Hiring Grinch demonstrates Riley’s understanding that no matter how great the offense is, they need to be better on defense. Since he’s been part of Riley’s staff, the Sooner defense has improved every season.
They have to be better, but if the defense is just average, the Sooners are an instant Title contender.