Bob Stoops will serve as OU football interim coach with Lincoln Riley off to USC
NORMAN — Lincoln Riley replaced Bob Stoops in 2017.
Five seasons later, Stoops will replace Riley.
Stoops, OU’s coach from 1999-2016, will serve as the Sooners’ interim coach after Riley departed Sunday to take over at USC.
It’s not the first time Stoops will step in since he’s retired.
Last season, Stoops stepped in as a position coach in practice in the lead-up to OU’s game against Baylor after several assistants were out with COVID-19.
Stoops did not coach in the game, though.
Stoops went 190-48 in 18 seasons with the Sooners, winning the 2000 national championship.
"First and foremost, I'm a program guy and whatever I can do to help OU and to support the players, of course I'm glad to do it," Stoops said in an OU release Sunday night. "I'll do everything I can to help them finish the season in a strong and successful way and I certainly look forward to that.
"Lincoln did a great job in his five years as head coach here and I appreciate all he did for this program. I'll always appreciate the close friendship we've had and will continue to have. I wish the best for him, Caitlin and their family."
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Bob Stoops to be OU football interim coach with Lincoln Riley to USC
