Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Sorry NFL, Lincoln Riley isn’t going anywhere anytime soon

By Christopher Dukes

FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 20: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners leads his team against the TCU Horned Frogs in the fourth quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 20: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners leads his team against the TCU Horned Frogs in the fourth quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Pundits are throwing Oklahoma football coach Lincoln Riley’s name at potential NFL vacancies left and right, but it doesn’t appear the 35-year-old has any interest in bolting for professional football at this point in his career.

It’s easy to understand why teams would be interested. NFL coaches have become regular visitors to Norman over the past few offseasons to pick the brain of the innovative offensive mind. He is currently orchestrating a third-straight transcendent college offense behind his second quarterback pupil during his time with the Sooners.

However, it’s hard for some to understand that just because Riley could leave for the NFL, doesn’t mean he has any desire to do so at this time.

“I always want to be truthful,” Riley told the Daily Oklahoman Monday. “The truth is for me, I love Oklahoma. I love coaching here and I love college football…. I know right now I could care less about the NFL.”

Get used to hearing this talk

Riley, like his predecessor Bob Stoops, is careful with his language to avoid closing the door on anything in the future. Stoops’ mum policy on future jobs and interviews led to rampant speculation nearly every offseason from “experts”.

Stoops was reported to be connected to job openings at Florida, Ohio State, Notre Dame, the Dallas Cowboys and yes, even the same Cleveland Browns’ team that recently fired head coach Hue Jackson and set off this most recent round of speculation.

Despite enjoying retirement, Stoops’ name is still heavily connected to many job openings for this reason. Riley’s could continue for just as long.

Still, Lincoln Riley looks like he’s in it for the long haul at Oklahoma. Here are a few factors you likely wont hear from the national media that keep him in Norman we can all refer back to the next time this inevitably comes up.

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