Putting NFL rumors to rest, Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley has agreed to a contract extension with the Sooners.
A source told ESPN that Riley would be given a significant raise. Riley was the No. 16 highest paid coach in college football this year.
Riley led Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff in his first two seasons with the Sooners, while tutoring back-to-back Heisman Trophy winners in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, the first quarterbacks to win consecutive Heismans from the same school in the history of the award.
“We felt it important to extend and amend Lincoln’s contract at this time as we want him at the University of Oklahoma for a long time,” Oklahoma president James Gallogly said in a statement. “He is a great coach and role model for our student-athletes. His record of success speaks for itself.
“Lincoln is also the right representative for our university in such a high-profile position. I am proud to work with him and anxious to support him as he takes our program into the future.”
That level of success had drawn the interest of NFL teams. But Riley had hinted after the Sooners lost to Alabama in the playoff semifinal that he wasn’t ready to leave Oklahoma.
“He has proven to be one of the most innovative minds in the game today as well as a very successful leader for his student-athletes. His remarkable ascent as one of the most outstanding football coaches in America is grounded in creating the right environment for developing the best growth opportunities for all of his players. The incredible level of achievement and energy around our program all point to a very bright future under his leadership,” athletic director Joe Castiglione said in the statement.
Details of the contract extension will be finalized at an Oklahoma regents meeting later this month.