What a great group to coach, proud of these guys-#big12champs pic.twitter.com/ddVyGJoPas
— Lincoln Riley (@LincolnRiley) December 4, 2016
According to Joseph Duarte, a beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, “the University of Houston vetted five candidates for its head football coaching job and the process is expected to be completed by this weekend.” However, of the five candidates vetted, it now appears as though one has been removed from the list.
Earlier this week, reports circulated that Oklahoma Sooners Offensive Coordinator Lincoln Riley knocked his interview “out of the park.” After transforming the OU offense over the course of two years (both Big XII Championship seasons), the interview appeared to be the icing on the cake for Houston.
Yet, earlier on Wednesday, Duarte reported that Lincoln Riley was no longer being considered for the opening.
Source: Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley no longer under consideration for @UHCougarFB job
— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) December 7, 2016
Reasons as to why the up and coming coach has been removed from the list are unknown. Houston’s coaching staff continues to be poached by larger Power-5 programs from Kevin Sumlin to the most recent in Tom Herman. Houston looks to be a lucrative stepping stone buried in the rich, furtile recruiting grounds of Texas. Still, it should come as no surprise if Riley’s name should be mentioned in the same breath as various other job openings.
For know, Sooner fans can rest assured knowing Riley will remain in the crimson and cream…