LOS ANGELES — For everyone fussing about cultural fit, Lincoln Riley left evidence right out in the open months ago that it was going to work out just fine. Check his Twitter account from May 21, 2021, when then-Oklahoma football coach Riley posted video of himself surfing with his daughter, Sloan.
He might not be ready to ride the big rollers at The Wedge at Newport Beach. Not yet. But a guy who grew up in Muleshoe, Texas, and spent most of his adult life in Lubbock and Norman really can relocate to Los Angeles and USC. He can exchange cowboy boots for flip-flops without losing stride.
“Pretty normal path, right?” Riley joked with Sports Illustrated last week. “It will be different, but I’ve told people I have a life’s-too-short mentality. Go experience it. My family has always loved the West Coast. The chance to raise our kids out here is a great opportunity.”
