Lincoln Riley To Cleveland Speculation Begins After Browns Fire Hue Jackson, Todd Haley

The Cleveland Browns completely shook up their coaching staff Monday, firing both head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley, according to reports. It didn’t take long for one name to jump to the forefront as Jackson’s potential replacement.

There is plenty of speculation that Cleveland will target Lincoln Riley to be their next heach coach. The Oklahoma football coach quickly became a trending topic on Twitter after the news of the Browns’ firings broke.

“The truth is for me, I love Oklahoma,” Riley told reporters Monday when he was asked about Cleveland’s coaching vacancy. “I love coaching here. I love coaching college football. I certainly don't have that itch right now. I don’t know that I ever will. But I’m never gonna be a guy that’s gonna stand up here and say, ‘No way, no how will any of these things ever happen.’ I don’t know that. But I know right now I couldn’t care less about the NFL.”

Riley, 35, took over as Oklahoma's head coach last season when Bob Stoops retired. After spending two years as the Sooners’ offensive coordinator, Riley led the team to a 12-1 record before the team lost in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Oklahoma enters Week 10 of the 2018 college football season ranked No.7 in the country with a 7-1 record.

Oklahoma is currently fourth in the nation in both yards and points per game. The Sooners were first in total offense last season when Baker Mayfield was the team’s starting quarterback and the Heisman Trophy winner.

Mayfield was selected first overall by the Cleveland in the 2018 NFL Draft, and he’s been the Browns’ starting quarterback for the last five games. The rookie posted a 78.6 passer rating with Jackson at the helm, and a reunion between the quarterback and his college coach could make sense.

Prior to the start of this season, Riley signed a five-year, $25 million contract with Oklahoma. His deal runs through the 2023 season.

Browns’ defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will reportedly take over as the team’s interim head coach. Jackson posted a 3-36-1 record as Cleveland’s fifth head coach since 2009.