Barry Switzer Assesses Lincoln Riley’s Hiring at Oklahoma [Audio]

In approximately 10 weeks, Alabama kicks off the 2017 season against the Florida State Seminoles.

While the Crimson Tide prepares for their 11^th season under head coach Nick Saban, another tradition rich program in college football gets ready for life under a new head coach.

Bob Stoops stepped down from his head coaching position with the Sooners two weeks ago and will be succeeded by his most recent offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley.

Stoops posted a record of 190-48 in 18 seasons as Oklahoma’s head coach.

As the Sooners begin a new chapter in their program’s history, a coaching legend familiar with the spotlight at Oklahoma joined Wimp and Barry Sanderson Inside the Locker Room to give his assessment of the hiring of new Oklahoma head football coach Lincoln Riley.

Barry Swtizer won three national championships and 12 Big Eight titles as the head coach of the Sooners from 1973-1988.

The legendary Oklahoma football coach was not taken by surprise at Riley’s hiring.

“Lincoln Riley, it wasn’t a surprise at all. I knew that would be he choice.” Switzer said.

Prior to being named head coach at Oklahoma, Riley worked as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for five seasons at East Carolina and the past two seasons with the Sooners. Switzer commented on how Riley’s background can be a huge asset in today’s college football coaching environment.

“I think it’s the great thing recruiting quarterbacks as quarterbacks are such the key today, and they are with the systems that you run today.” Switzer said.

Before his stops at Oklahoma and East Carolina, Riley coached the wide receivers as an assistant coach under Mike Leach at Texas Tech.

In a past conversation with current Washington State head coach Mike Leach, Switzer shared Leach’s opinion of Riley as an assistant at Texas Tech.

“Mike Leach told me that Lincoln Riley was the best assistant coach he ever had. He told me that years ago.” Switzer said.

Based on Riley’s experience recruiting and coaching quarterbacks, Switzer believes that Lincoln Riley is the right man to lead the Oklahoma football program.

“Lincoln’s the right guy. He recruits the quarterbacks. He coaches the quarterbacks. He calls the plays. Lincoln is the guy.” Switzer said.

Switzer also discussed the evolution of offenses in college football and the reasons that Bob Stoops stepped away from the college coaching scene.

Catch Inside the Locker Room every weekday from 7-9 AM on Tide 102.9/100.9 and the radioPup app.