Reports: Sooners boost Riley’s salary to $6M

The Oklahoma Sooners reportedly have made Lincoln Riley one of the 10 highest-paid coaches in college football.

Oklahoma boosted Riley’s 2019 salary to $6 million, and he will receive a $150,000 pay increase in each subsequent year plus an annual $700,000 bonus to stay, according to multiple reports following a school Board of Regents meeting Wednesday. Riley, who made $4.8 million last year, agreed to a contract extension earlier this month.

The 35-year-old Riley has posted a 24-4 record in two seasons with the Sooners. He led Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff in each of his first two seasons, falling short to Georgia in the 2017 semifinal and losing to Alabama in the 2018 semifinal.

Riley’s success at Oklahoma has drawn the attention of NFL teams looking for offensive-minded head coaches, but he says he is happy in the college ranks.

“I don’t see that as a step up, not in this profession,” Riley told The Oklahoman earlier this month when asked about the NFL. “It’s not a burning desire of mine by any stretch right now. Not even close. It doesn’t even compare to my burning desire to win a national championship here.”

Riley took over for the retired Bob Stoops and has produced two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks in two seasons. Baker Mayfield won the award in 2017 before becoming the Cleveland Browns’ No. 1 overall pick, and Kyler Murray won the award this past season.

“He has proven to be one of the most innovative minds in the game today as well as a very successful leader for his student-athletes,” Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said in a statement earlier this month. “His remarkable ascent as one of the most outstanding football coaches in America is grounded in creating the right environment for developing the best growth opportunities for all of his players.

“The incredible level of achievement and energy around our program all point to a very bright future under his leadership.”

–Field Level Media