Bold Move: Go Get Lincoln Riley For Offensive Coordinator
January 24th, 2025
Think big!
Joe knows Team Glazer likes splash. And if the powers that be at One Buc Palace really believe they have a team that can make a Super Bowl run in 2025, and they really believe in offense and really believe in scoring points and really believe in maxing out their quarterback’s talents, Joe has the perfect guy to rattle the cages of the NFL.
Go save Lincoln Riley from his USC mediocrity.
For those unaware, Riley was Baker Mayfield’s coach at Oklahoma when Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy. Riley is an offensive wizard and a direct disciple of the late, great Mike Leach.
Riley has a strong knack for working with quarterbacks but also believes in the run game.
Joe can just hear people: You’re drunk, Joe! Why would Riley leave USC? You’re nuts.
Perhaps, but that’s just what people thought about Chip Kelly, who quit UCLA last year to become the offensive coordinator at the Ohio State.
What happened? The Buckeyes just won the national title.
So if a successful college head coach (Kelly was not cut out to be a college head coach in the NIL era) would quit to take a college offensive coordinator gig, why wouldn’t a 41-year-old college coach like Riley take an NFL offensive coordinator gig.
And it’s not like Riley is a stranger around these parts. He’s popped up at Bucs games with field access passes to watch Mayfield.
Riley has had some success at USC, but he hasn’t made the playoffs there. And Joe thinks Riley has done a better job at USC, specifically as the school has transitioned into the Big Ten, than most people give/don’t give him credit for. He’s beefed up USC’s defense and, well, is still struggling to find the next Caleb Williams.
Who wouldn’t? Good luck.
If Riley and the Bucs offense does well — there’s no reason why the Bucs offense wouldn’t do well — Riley would very likely get NFL job offers for head coach.
And he wouldn’t have to worry about 18-year olds nagging him constantly wondering where their bag is.
If the Bucs are really serious about winning, scoring points and maxing out Mayfield (if Liam Coen didn’t already max him out), a move to get Riley would truly shake the NFL.
Think big, Bucs fans!
January 24th, 2025 at 5:07 am
Cool. Let’s get Riley and hope he does a great job. Then we can wave goodbye at the end of the year. Dejà vu anyone?
January 24th, 2025 at 5:22 am
Best thing I’ve read on this site in years.
January 24th, 2025 at 5:27 am
Joe, I would call that hitting a home run. Those 2 (Lincoln and Baker) probably had the most prolific offense in college football history. Look it up I’m not exaggerating. And Riley has already made himself piles of money, maybe he’d stay 2 or 3 years and help see this thing thru. Joe that’s some out of the box thinking and I love it. Never would have thought of that option but if there’s a chance man that would be an offense that would be worth the price of admission to watch!
January 24th, 2025 at 5:34 am
Think big is right. Find a hc or defensive coordinator that can stop the pass!!!
January 24th, 2025 at 5:42 am
I still think Mike Lafleur is the best call…
January 24th, 2025 at 6:04 am
I like this…
January 24th, 2025 at 6:06 am
Joe,
Lincoln Riley makes 11.5 million a year and the Bucs would have to guarantee him HCIW status as well as probably what Coen got (13 million per). Even if they met those demands, Riley isn’t looking to come to Tampa as an OC to hide the fact that Bowles is less than .
January 24th, 2025 at 6:07 am
How are other teams not losing OC with one and done?
January 24th, 2025 at 6:08 am
Agreed, time for a bold move.
January 24th, 2025 at 6:09 am
Dude is currently getting paid $10m/yr – Coen’s upgraded deal was reported at less than half that
…seems unrealistic.
If Klint Kubiak was a chance I’d suggest taking a look at him (their offense looked good – and a little similar – before all the injuries on offense took hold), but while he IS generally available, I doubt he’s available to the Bucs – the Saints won’t let him interview in Tampa, surely. Seems likely to land in Seattle.
January 24th, 2025 at 6:13 am
Frank Reich is available.
So is Doug Pederson.
Both have proven track records as offensive coordinators.
Has to be something bold – an internal promotion aint gonna cut it.
January 24th, 2025 at 6:19 am
How about Jake Peetz from Seattle? Isn’t he from the Rams and thus part of the sacred McVay coaching tree? His system might not need a total rebuild if so…..
January 24th, 2025 at 6:25 am
StormyInFl – Agree, no internal promotion.
Unsure about Pederson though.
January 24th, 2025 at 6:32 am
Dougie P is not the answer. He didn’t even call plays at the peak of his coaching success. Wheels fell off the bus in Philly once his coordinators left. Never took off in Jax because he’s a fraud that lucked out with Foles playing out of his body
January 24th, 2025 at 6:34 am
So reading this article I noticed Joe saying that the Glazers think the Bucs are primed for the Super Bowl in 2025. With Bowles as Head Coach? Ummmm, ok I guess.
January 24th, 2025 at 6:34 am
Love the idea. Doesn’t sound like the money will work. But keep going down this path, Joe. We need to do something big and bold that elevates our chances for a SB run this season.
January 24th, 2025 at 6:43 am
Dumb question, Can we hire him for 2 yearS?
January 24th, 2025 at 6:44 am
Love the idea. Back up the Brinks truck.
January 24th, 2025 at 6:52 am
I like this idea. I’m sure that Riley has made enough in his career the he couple scape by on a palry 5 mil a year to be a NFL OC with the Bucs.
January 24th, 2025 at 6:55 am
Bold move would be for Bowles to step down and do what’s right.
January 24th, 2025 at 6:56 am
The problem is Bowles to be honest. None of these splash candidates are coming in to work with Bowles. He is a dead man walking. He is one bad season away from being fired. We all know it and anyone that comes in knows it. This team keeps going through the same rebuild every year. New offense and new OC. Takes half the season to get the new offense down while the defense struggles most of the year.
January 24th, 2025 at 7:12 am
JASON LICHT —
May I politely suggest that the next new fricking Bucs coordinator has a stipulation in his contract LOCKING HIM IN for a minimum of two years before he can even THINK about taking a head coach interview with another team?!
Enough.
January 24th, 2025 at 7:17 am
Bucs need to hire an OC that runs the same kind of offense that Coen ran and that the players understand and excelled at. Another McVay offensive disciple, perhaps.
January 24th, 2025 at 7:22 am
Mike McCarthy
January 24th, 2025 at 7:23 am
You mentioned Chip Kelly, hire Chip Kelly! He’s not a head coach in waiting. He won’t be bolting for another offer. He’s not making head coach money at The Ohio State. He’s a run first guy like Bowles wants. He’s an amazing offensive mind, he just proves it again by winning the national championship. Hire Chip Kelly!
January 24th, 2025 at 7:23 am
Just posted this in Pro Football Rumors after being inspired by this JBF article.
“ Coen receives way too much credit. Mayfield single-handedly won at minimum 5 games with his amazing play. Trevor Lawrence is no Baker Mayfield. The Jaguars have no Mike Evans. No offensive line.
Coen is a fantastic offensive coordinator. However, the Jags will again suck next year and the Bucs are Super Bowl bound.
We’re hiring Lincoln Riley.
Mic DROP “
January 24th, 2025 at 7:34 am
Todd…Super Bowl Bound? Ourr draft is about to take a massive hit with potential loss of 2 GMs. Our offensive staff bout to be raider and we lost our best coach on the defensive side. More excuses for when Toilet sucks next years. We lose everyone we want and our stuck with Bowles. Sad times in Tampa!
January 24th, 2025 at 7:36 am
Hahahah, woke up and actually had the same thought… get Baker’s mentor from college
January 24th, 2025 at 7:44 am
I think some ex-FSU coaches are available for the Super Bowl run.
January 24th, 2025 at 7:44 am
Super Bowl Run???? Yougottabekiddingme.
January 24th, 2025 at 7:56 am
Cale Gundy, maybe? He was under Riley while Baker was there, and part of a whole lot of winning at Oklahoma.
January 24th, 2025 at 7:57 am
I don’t follow college so the only thing I actually know about him is that he’s super famous and won a championship with Baker. I have to admit: that will certainly make quite the splash. Maybe I’ll read about this guy later.
January 24th, 2025 at 8:01 am
No chance.
January 24th, 2025 at 8:06 am
He makes $10mil a year now. No shot.
January 24th, 2025 at 8:07 am
This is click bait nonsense
January 24th, 2025 at 8:08 am
Glazers would never lay out the cash necessary for this. Bucs will promote some trash assistant to OC. They’ll do it on the cheap. That’s the Glazers.
January 24th, 2025 at 8:24 am
Stretch list: Lincoln Riley, Chip Kelly, the Kelly from LSU,. Mid list: qb coach commanders, Vikings, Rams, Bills, chiefs, chargers. Backup plan; Alex van pelt unemployed
January 24th, 2025 at 8:37 am
Rrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiggggggghhhhhhhhhhttttt
January 24th, 2025 at 8:39 am
Glazers need to make a splash with this next OC hire to try to save face with the fans. I myself am disgusted with chasing OCs every year. Glazers don’t realize it’s an offensive league now and dinasaurs like Bowles are a thing of the past. Every team wants a hot shot OC, which is what we just let walk away, scumbag or not. Who was our coaches that won us Super Bowls, offensive minded coaches. Look at the last several Super Bowl winning teams, all coached my offensive guys. The last defensive coach to win a Super Bowl was Bellicheck and he had Tom Brady.
January 24th, 2025 at 8:48 am
First of all, it remains to be seen if Riley is all that great with quarterbacks. What “he” has “done” with them in the past is pretty much a matter of dumb luck timing to a large extent and being at the right university. He fled Oklahoma after destroying the team and USC was desperate enough to overlook his flaws and true record while at Oklahoma. He hasn’t done anything at USC but have a good athlete who came to Oklahoma for Oklahoma not Lincoln Riley follow him to USC and that’s about it. The world is slowly finding out about Riley. He is not a great HC. I’m not even sure if he is a good HC but a play caller there is none better. I remember watching Oklahoma in those years and he was an amazing playcaller. He is one of those guys that thought just because he was a great OC he would naturally be a great HC but he’s not. After 3 or 4 years he no more has USC ready to compete in the big 10 than he had Oklahoma ready to compete in the big 12, let alone the SEC. Just know he is limited to playcalling but wow he can dial those plays up, I don’t think there is any better. I think it will be proven yet that he is no better with quarterbacks than a normal OC is after a few media members decided he was a quarterback whisperer and talked him up. But if you want a super duper play caller he’s your man. He is something to watch.
January 24th, 2025 at 8:49 am
Chip Kelly’s base salary as offensive coordinator for the Buckeyes is $2 million in 2024.
His contract includes raises for subsequent years:
2025: $2.1 million
2026: $2.2 million
Plus achievement bonuses (which obviously he got).
January 24th, 2025 at 8:52 am
He is on the hot seat at USC for under performance just like he was at Oklahoma. In fact, if they didn’t owe him so much on his contract they most likely would have fired him this year.
January 24th, 2025 at 9:31 am
I agree 100%. There are people saying why would a good OC come here and work for Bowles. The answer is people should be blowing up Licht and Bowles phone trying to get the OC job. The last two OC’s here were one and done moving on as head coaches. With the talent on this offense I would think the Bucs may get a lot of interest.
January 24th, 2025 at 9:40 am
Sounds like a good idea… Joe pull some strings get the two sides together and see. Clock is now ticking we’re behind now… I’m disappointed about Coen, but it is what it is…. GO BUCS!!!
January 24th, 2025 at 9:42 am
Now, here’s where I’m stupid cos I don’t follow college ball. Not interested. Is this Oklahoma the same university that the Selmon Bros and GMC came from? The big problem is the Offense has to have CONTINUITY! They’re jelling into a formidable unit (including CG14–staying positive here). The next OC also has to take some risks cos he’s got the players that can handle it–the talent is there. 🙂
January 24th, 2025 at 9:48 am
Thad Lewis
Write it down
January 24th, 2025 at 10:12 am
“Sheen Says:
January 24th, 2025 at 9:48 am
Thad Lewis
Write it down”
I hope not. He spent years working under Leftwich and BA loves him. While I am a BA fan, his ability to identify talented coaches sucks.
January 24th, 2025 at 10:20 am
USC was pretty disappointing even with Caleb Williams. That program should closer to the Ohio State level rather than the Wisconsin level.
January 24th, 2025 at 10:38 am
Riley could work but I want to snag Scottie Montgomery away from the Lions before they try to elevate him. He was the RB coach for Jonathan Taylors big payday year when he got 1800 yards in Indy. He obviously has had experience coaching two headed monster rb rooms in Detroit last year and this year.
I think he could create something for Rachaad and Bucky which would keep pressure off Baker.
January 24th, 2025 at 11:11 am
That’s a damn good idea, Joseph. Get him here, some NFL experience and he can move on up after a year or two.
Bottom line: if this team is successful, its coaches will get poached.
January 24th, 2025 at 11:15 am
Yeah right he makes 10 mil a year at USC plus hes a micro manager!!!!!
January 24th, 2025 at 11:39 am
@Jeff
“Glazers would never lay out the cash necessary for this. Bucs will promote some trash assistant to OC. They’ll do it on the cheap. That’s the Glazers.”
I think your point was valid in the past. The Glazers definitely “overleverged to get ManU. Having said that they pulled it off and all the it cost was the Bucs a few years of operating on the cheap. Can you say Raheem? I think Rah is probably a pretty good coach now, then he was a CHEAP unprepared rookie.
Since then though the Glazers have been anything but cheap. See the Tom Brady era SB and the huge amount over cap they went. They’ve also been exemplary in the Community! Just sayin’ but I understand why you feel that way.
January 24th, 2025 at 11:55 am
You keep saying the Glazers like to make a splash. Malcom did, not his kids. Their boldest coaching move in the last 20 years was pulling Arians out of retirement. Other than that, it’s been a parade of rehashes and no-names. We currently have the least inspiring H.C. in the league.
If they Glazer boys truly wanted to make a splash, they would’ve canned our mediocre milquetoast HC and replaced him with the young, up-and-coming offensive wiz.
January 24th, 2025 at 11:57 am
Let’s Do It, throw the money at him and see what happens. A phone call never hurts. We need him Jason Licht to you know how to do it. PLEASE!!!
January 24th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
no. lincoln riley did almost exactly the same thing liam coen did when he left oklahoma. he told everyone on the team he was staying, he told castiglione he was staying, he told recruits he was staying.. then he skipped out in the dead of night to leave for usc. like.. literally left in the middle of the night lol.
then later it came out that he was recruiting for usc at the same time he was recruiting for oklahoma. just super shady.
oh and he also lied in an interview a year after he was gone about why he left in the middle of the night and blamed it on oklahoma fans and said that they broke into his house, and did some other stuff. according to the police, that didn’t happen-or at least he never filed a report about anything that he claims happened.
anyway.. he is just as shady if not more so than liam coen.
January 24th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
i will say that he was a great offensive coordinator for oklahoma though. not so much as a head coach, because once he started splitting his time on the offense with head coaching duties the offense seemed to get progressively worse every year. he was definitely no bob stoops.
January 24th, 2025 at 12:25 pm
Will the glazer boys lock up another oc. For more than 1 year ? Or will we be a laughing stock and another stepping stone ? Give the next guy at least 2 years !! Learn from your mistakes you did not with canels and look what happened .
January 24th, 2025 at 12:43 pm
I played basketball, but I’m available.