Bob Stoops Named Among Elite College Football Coaches — But It’s Lincoln Riley Who Gets Dragged Into the Conversation

When discussions emerge about the most elite coaches in college football history, certain names inevitably rise to the top — Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Pete Carroll, and Dabo Swinney, to name a few. But one name that sometimes flies under the radar despite a résumé that speaks volumes is Bob Stoops. That omission is becoming harder to justify, especially now that Stoops is being rightfully recognized among the game’s greats. And interestingly, his inclusion on elite coaching lists has a gravitational pull strong enough to drag his successor, Lincoln Riley, into the conversation — for better or worse.

Stoops’ case is airtight. A national championship. Ten Big 12 titles. A .798 career winning percentage over 18 seasons at Oklahoma. A College Football Hall of Fame induction. And, most impressively, the consistency of success. While other top programs saw more ebbs and flows, Stoops built a machine in Norman that rarely slipped. He never had a losing season, never missed a bowl game, and coached a Heisman winner — and then another — and then another. His impact on college football, and particularly on the Big 12, is profound.

Yet what truly sets Stoops apart, and what makes his recent inclusion on elite coaching lists particularly interesting, is not just what he accomplished — it’s the shadow he cast and continues to cast. Because when Stoops stepped down in 2017 and handed the keys to Lincoln Riley, he didn’t just pass the torch to a hand-picked successor; he handed over a powerhouse program running at peak efficiency. Riley walked into a dream job and was expected to not only maintain that success but elevate it.

At first, it seemed like Riley might do just that. Under his watch, Oklahoma won four consecutive Big 12 titles, produced two more Heisman-winning quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, and reached the College Football Playoff three times. Riley was hailed as a quarterback whisperer and offensive genius, and many believed he was the next great innovator who could dominate the sport for decades. But then, cracks began to show.

For all the offensive fireworks, Riley’s Sooners teams never made it past the semifinals in the College Football Playoff. Defensive woes — the same ones Stoops worked hard to fix late in his tenure — resurfaced. Despite having generational talents at quarterback, Oklahoma consistently fell short against elite competition. And then came the seismic move that would forever link and divide the legacies of Stoops and Riley: Lincoln Riley’s abrupt departure for USC in 2021.

Riley’s exit shocked the college football world. Oklahoma fans felt blindsided, especially considering how Stoops had so carefully stewarded the program and left it in good hands. When Riley left, Stoops didn’t hold back — he returned as interim head coach for the Sooners’ bowl game and delivered thinly veiled jabs at his former protégé. He emphasized commitment, loyalty, and pride in Oklahoma. It wasn’t hard to read between the lines.

Since that moment, the legacies of both men have diverged sharply. Stoops’ stature has only grown. He’s become a voice of authority in the sport, praised for his leadership, toughness, and long-term success. He’s also shown an uncanny ability to adapt — from embracing the Air Raid in the early 2000s to helping the XFL gain footing in his post-Oklahoma coaching stint. His name now regularly surfaces on lists ranking the top coaches of all time. And rightly so.

Riley, meanwhile, has faced mounting criticism. His USC tenure started hot, with the arrival of Caleb Williams and renewed excitement in Los Angeles. But like in Norman, the same defensive shortcomings followed him. USC’s 2023 and 2024 seasons were marked by disappointing finishes, collapses in key moments, and an inability to build a championship-caliber defense. Questions about Riley’s leadership, toughness, and long-term viability as a national title contender have only grown louder.

It’s in this context that Bob Stoops’ inclusion on elite coaching lists doesn’t just shine a light on his own greatness — it casts shadows on Lincoln Riley’s ongoing journey. Every praise of Stoops becomes a subtle comparison. Every acknowledgment of Stoops’ discipline, consistency, and ability to win the big games raises uncomfortable questions about Riley’s record. It’s not entirely fair, but it’s unavoidable.

The two coaches are linked, like chapters in a book — one that started as a tale of mentorship and succession, and now reads more like a cautionary tale about pressure, expectations, and legacy. And while Stoops has handled that transition with class and resolve, Riley’s decisions have painted him as the anti-Stoops in many ways: flashy offense over gritty defense, Hollywood over heartland, potential over proven.

This dichotomy has been thrown into sharper relief as Stoops continues to be embraced by the Oklahoma faithful. He remains a towering figure in Norman, often seen around the program, offering insight, support, and stability. In contrast, Riley is now viewed as a divisive figure, his departure seen not just as a career move but as a betrayal. For many Sooners fans, the success of the past feels more tied to Stoops than Riley — even though both enjoyed it.

And so, when Bob Stoops lands on another “all-time great” list, the conversation inevitably includes Lincoln Riley. Not because Riley belongs there yet, but because his story is intertwined with Stoops’. Every accolade for Stoops reaffirms just how high the bar was set — and just how difficult it is to live up to that standard. Riley may still find his way to the coaching pantheon one day. He’s young, brilliant on offense, and recruiting at a high level. But the path there has become more complicated, more scrutinized, and, in some ways, more comparative.

What Stoops has now that Riley doesn’t is the comfort of a completed story. His chapter is written in full — 190 wins, 14 double-digit win seasons, a national title, and the unwavering respect of his peers. Riley’s book is still being written, but it already contains edits, footnotes, and annotations — many of them authored by Stoops himself, either directly or through the example he left behind.

It’s fitting, then, that as Stoops earns his place among the giants of the game, he brings Riley along — not as an equal, but as a reminder. A reminder of what can happen when a program is handed the keys to a kingdom, and what it takes to truly be king.

In the end, that might be Bob Stoops’ greatest legacy — not just his victories, but the standard he set. A standard that remains both a blueprint and a burden for those who follow. As Stoops takes his place among college football’s elite, he does so not just with pride, but with a legacy that demands more than wins. It demands staying power, resilience, and above all, results that last.

That’s why he’s on the list. And that’s why Lincoln Riley, whether he likes it or not, is right there in the discussion — still trying to prove he belongs.