Oklahoma president called out for quote about Lincoln Riley exit
University of Oklahoma president Joe Harroz is hearing it for a comment he made Monday in response to coach Lincoln Riley’s abrupt departure.
Riley’s decision to leave for USC on Sunday took Oklahoma by surprise. Harroz voiced that frustration in a Monday press conference, admitting that “we would’ve liked more notice” from Riley on his decision.
Harroz got very little sympathy for this stance. Numerous people on social media, including several reporters and commentators, pointed out the perceived hypocrisy in Harroz’s statement stemming from the Sooners’ move to the SEC. The announcement that Oklahoma and Texas had been secretly negotiating with the SEC blindsided the rest of the Big 12 and left the future of the conference uncertain when the story broke in July.
Big 12 found out OU and Texas were leaving via @HoustonChron: https://t.co/UEVQpzVvpu
— Brent Zwerneman (@BrentZwerneman) November 29, 2021
The Big 12 schools you screwed over would have liked more too, Mr. Harroz. https://t.co/YQqDccEa6E
— Chris Williams (@ChrisMWilliams) November 29, 2021
Yea, that’s what the Big 12 said too. #SEC https://t.co/NSOXbk5OwK
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) November 29, 2021
Bob Bowlsby would like a word. https://t.co/kMbWBYQCt7
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 29, 2021
you know who else probably would've like a bit more notice this summer… https://t.co/ktx5Z5p3ek
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) November 29, 2021
No, the situations are not exactly comparable. That said, given the grief both Oklahoma and Texas got over their SEC move, nobody will be feeling sorry for the Sooners here. If anything, given how arrogant and shady they came across during the SEC affair, a lot of people will be enjoying this.
Photo: Jul 14, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley speaks to the media during Big 12 media days at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
