Lincoln Riley was born on May 9, 1983 in Lubbock, Texas. Growing up, he had a passion for football and dreamed of one day becoming a successful coach. He attended Texas Tech University where he walked on to the football team as a quarterback in 2002. It was during his time at Texas Tech that Riley's interest in coaching began to grow.
After a year playing quarterback at Texas Tech, Riley transitioned into coaching by becoming a student assistant to then-head coach Mike Leach. It was here that he honed his skills and learned the intricacies of the game. Riley's dedication and hard work paid off when he was named as Oklahoma's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks' coach from 2015-2016.
During the 2015 season, Riley's coaching abilities were recognized when he was awarded the prestigious Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach. This was a significant milestone in his coaching career and solidified his reputation as a talented and innovative coach.
In 2016, Riley was named as the head football coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, succeeding the legendary Bob Stoops. His first season as head coach was a remarkable success, leading the team to the 2017 Rose Bowl and a #2 ranking in the College Football Playoffs. Under Riley's leadership, the Sooners achieved great success on the field and garnered national attention.
Off the field, Riley is a devoted husband to his wife Caitlin Buckley, whom he married in 2007. The couple has two daughters, Sloan and Stella, who are the light of Riley's life. Despite the demands of his coaching career, Riley values his family above all else and strives to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
One of Riley's most notable achievements as a coach was guiding eventual Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield to a semi-final finish in 2017. His ability to develop talented players and lead his team to success has solidified his reputation as one of the top coaches in college football.
Throughout his career, Lincoln Riley has proven himself to be a dedicated and passionate coach, always striving for excellence both on and off the field. His innovative coaching style and commitment to his players have earned him the respect and admiration of the football community. As he continues to lead the Oklahoma Sooners to victory, it is clear that Riley's future in coaching is bright and full of potential.