Dean Chats With Sooners' OC Lincoln Riley

Lincoln Riley gives the Sooners a reason to be optimistic. OU’s new offensive coordinator has lived up to the considerable hype that came with his hiring by Bob Stoops who sure seems to have made another especially good hire at an especially important position at an especially important time.

Riley is intelligent, creative and grounded. Sure, he has tools – the deadly duo of backs, one special receiver with a nice supporting cast and a quarterback who fits this Air Raid system – but he is having to coach with one hand tied behind his back, with an offensive line that is improving but sits currently significantly below the standards around here.

His openness to legitimate questions is new around here – at least for coordinators since the gentlemanly Chuck Long fled to try his hand at head coaching.

Mayfield’s mobility has helped Riley’s offense turn bad plays into winning ones. But the odds are that if Mayfield continues at his carry per game rate, he may not make it through the season unscathed. The Tech transfer-turned Heisman-candidate has more carries than even Joe Mixon – 33 for a net 139 yards, a 4.2 yard average for 46 yards per game (trailing only Semaje Perine in carries and yards). I chatted with the affable new OC Monday after practice.