With Lincoln Riley’s departure from the University of Oklahoma to become the head coach at the University of Southern California, Oklahoma has expressed interest in Cardinals’ head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
In a Monday afternoon press conference, Kingsbury emphasized his focus on the Cardinals’ upcoming game against the Bears, as Darren Urban of the team website tweets.
“[I] don’t get into those things,” Kingsbury said. “We’re in-season, we’re 9-and-2, just not a topic I want to touch right now.”
Kingsbury does have experience as a head coach at the college level, having spending six years with the Texas Tech University Red Raiders. His combined of 35-40 wasn’t stellar, but he did groom several current NFL players in Lubbock, including Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, DeAndre Washington, and Jakeem Grant.
It does seem a bit unusual that an NFL coach in the midst of an NFC-leading season would even be thinking about moving back to the college ranks. Kingsbury’s lack of a denial is curious, but, in reality, it’s probably a play for extra leverage. With one more year to go on his contract, Kingsbury use OU’s interest to drive his next deal even higher.
“it’s probably a play for extra leverage”
You can remove ‘probably’. This reeks of a story leaked by his agent.
I don’t see any leverage angle here. NFL coaches can be replaced in a heartbeat as there is never any shortage of willing candidates for even the most inept organizations. How much leverage does zero playoff wins buy a HC?
Let’s see what happens when this season. Leverage is building when Kingsbury’s team is leading the league AND keeps on winning without Kyler Murray.
From a leverage standpoint I don’t think regular seasons wins count for much. Nagy was coach of the year back in 2018 and now his career is on life support.
Interesting that he say “right now”… Tomlin vehemently shot down college speculation, but Kingsbury is saying “not right now”
Say what you want about Tomlin, he doesn’t **** around.
Unless it involves trying to trip other players.
Why not go after Ed Orgeron? He’s a name, recent success. I mean Matt Nagy will be available….
Because he’s not a good coach.
He’s a really nice guy. But anyone mistaking Ed O for a good coach is admitting they don’t really understand he’s not an X’s and O’s guy.
The most impressive thing about coach O is how he landed the 20 something year old girl he has pictures in bed & poolside with. The dude has some serious game.
Sounds like see you in Oklahoma if Arizona doesn’t up my pay.
This isn’t happening. I’m guessing they go after someone with connections to the program like Clemson’s DC Brent Venables, Tennessee’s Josh Heupel, Kentucky’s Mark Stoops or South Carolina’s Shane Beamer.
I’m with you. My money’s on Mark Stoops.
Venebles has always made it really clear he loves being Clemson DC. He’s a god there and making like $3 million a year with non of the head coaching stress. If he wanted to be a head coach, he would’ve been at FSU couple years ago.
Stoops and Beamer are likely staying put. Beamer is one year into a job he’s been very enthusiastic about, and just qualified (somehow) to be bowl eligible.
Stoops has been building a historically bad football program for several years and finally was on the cusp of real contention for the East this year. I doubt that he’ll leave that hard work just to pick it up again at a school that will soon join the SEC in what will also be a tougher division. Heypel is also new to his program and has made some strides in a few areas this year in Tennessee, despite the rocky road the last few seasons.
Venables though I could see. He’s been a good name to watch for a few years now. I know he likes it at Clemson, but he will eventually leave and if he likes the location, he could finally bite. I’m not saying that it WILL happen, just that it could.
The three names I keep reading that are on OU’s short list are Venables, Beamer and Georgia DC Dan Lanning.
Going after Venables
Oklahoma probably will pay more then Ariz current contract by a lot.But Cardinals are built with his signature and they are finally turning the corner to become a playoff contender.
I think they go Heupel
The usc contract Riley got was 110 million
They bought both his homes for 1million above market.
6 million dollar home for him.
24/7 private jet.
Contract is 117 million.
As a coach in college there isn’t a lot of pressure to actually win championships. Turn a profit, put a good product on the field.
Nfl two losing seasons your on the chopping block.
Kings bury is making 5.5 million a year. Not crazy to think someone could offer way beyond that.