Lincoln Riley has made enough of an impression during one season in Norman to have his name tossed about as a potential head-coaching candidate already, at least according to one report.
ESPN.com is reporting that South Carolina has expressed an interest in the Oklahoma offensive coordinator and plans to talk to him regarding their vacancy at head coach. USC is looking to replace longtime head coach Steve Spurrier, who abruptly quit six games into the 2015 season.
Riley spent five seasons as the offensive coordinator at East Carolina before moving on to OU in January of this year. Riley, who also serves as quarterbacks coach, has led an offense that’s currently third in the country averaging 45.8 points per game.
Should the 32-year-old Riley land the Gamecocks gig, he’d be the youngest head coach at the FBS level. That honor currently belongs to Western Michigan’s P.J. Fleck, who turned 35 Nov. 29. Troy’s Neal Brown (March 11, 1980) is also 35.
The Gamecocks also reportedly were interested in Kirby Smart, but the Alabama defensive coordinator is expected to be named Georgia’s head coach early next week. There was also an interest in Houston head coach Tom Herman, but the first-year coach appears ready to stay with the Cougars armed with a hefty new contract,
USC athletic director Ray Tanner said in a statement to the Charleston Post & Courier that "[w]e are working toward the goal of having a coach by the end of next week.” The Sooners are off this weekend, but, as the No. 3 team in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, are expected to be one of the four semifinalists playing New Year’s Eve. Herman was officially named UH’s head coach Dec. 16 last season, but stayed on as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator through the Buckeyes’ run to the national championship.