Lincoln Riley (2017-Present)
No. 3 Overall
What The Athletic Says…
Transitions don’t get much more seamless than Stoops to Riley. At the ripe age of 33, Riley took the great foundation that Stoops left and built upon it. He led the Sooners to Big 12 championships and New Year’s Six bowls in all four years and to the College Football Playoff in three. Two of his quarterbacks were Heisman Trophy winners (Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray) and another was a runner-up (Jalen Hurts). The major remaining items on the checklist for Riley, now 37, are winning a Playoff game, then a national championship.
It is no easy task following a legend like Bob Stoops who handed the keys to Riley after the 2016 season. In that time Riley produced three College Football Playoff appearances, two Heisman Trophy winners, and another finalist for the award. The only obstacle preventing him from hopping into the top two would be a national championship trophy, both coaches ahead of him have done that. His record to date is 45-8 with a 30-5 conference record.
Finally, the Hall of Fame head coach