Lincoln Riley swears he’s staying at USC — and Oklahoma fans can’t help but laugh

Oklahoma fans have heard this before. 

In what’s become a November tradition, USC head coach Lincoln Riley’s name has come up as a candidate for multiple job openings, and as usual, he’s denying everything. But Sooner Nation has heard Riley before profess his love for a place before slithering away. 

Lincoln Riley insists he’s loyal to USC, but Oklahoma fans have heard this before

Rumors of Riley leaving USC escalated this week after college football expert Josh Pate said on a podcast to keep an eye on Riley with so many big-time jobs open, including LSU, Florida, Penn State, Auburn, Arkansas, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma State. Baylor and Texas Tech — two spots not even open right now — have also been mentioned as potential landing spots for Riley. 

Riley was then asked about the rumors on Friday night after the No. 19 Trojans’ 38–17 win against Northwestern. 

“You guys know what I sacrificed to be here," Riley said. "I'm where I need to be."

What Riley sacrificed was a job at OU where he had won four Big 12 championships and made the College Football Playoff three times. He coached two Heisman Trophy winners and future No. 1 overall NFL Draft picks. However, the Sooners were soon headed to the SEC, and Riley wasn’t up for the challenge. Near the end of the 2021 season, Riley began getting linked to other job openings, including LSU and USC. 

Just hours before leaving the Sooners for L.A., it was as if Riley read from the same script he eventually did again on Friday night. 

“I coach at the University of Oklahoma. You know how I feel about this place and this program,” Riley said in 2021. “We've all been down this road many times before. You guys know where I stand and that hasn't changed."

Although Riley said the right things on Friday night, he also did four years ago. USC fans still can’t get comfortable based on Riley’s history. It’s like being with someone who cheated on their ex to be with you. That concern of getting left will, and should, always be there until every opening is officially filled.