In the past week, Oklahoma lost to a bitter rival, lost a chance at a record sixth straight Big 12 title, lost a shot at a spot in the College Football Playoff and lost coach Lincoln Riley to USC.

And Riley’s departure caused several high-ranking recruits to decommit from OU and reopen their recruitment. That includes several five-star players, including one of the top quarterbacks in the 2023 class who is from California.

Quarterback Malachi Nelson (ranked No. 3 in his class), from Alamitos, California, linebacker Kobie McKinzie, receiver Brandon Inniss (ranked No. 29 in his class), running back Treyaun Webb and now probably will not attend OU.

After losing two of his last three games at OU, Riley apparently finished negotiations to bolt from OU and take the vacant head coaching job at USC. Riley blew a chance to repeat as Big 12 champions when he lost to Oklahoma State, 33-37, Saturday night in Stillwater.

Riley would not elaborate on the factors that caused him to jump ship.

“Leaving OU was probably the most difficult decision of my life,” Riley said. “OU is one of the best college football programs in the country, and it has been forever. That’s not going to change. It’s not going to change in the SEC, it’s not going to change with another head coach. It’s stood the test of time and it’s going to continue to do so. This was a personal decision solely based on my willingness to go take on a new challenge, and I felt like it was the right opportunity for me and my family to do that.”

Riley was making about $7.5 million a year at OU and was one of the highest paid college coaches. His new salary at USC has not been made public but LSU – which Riley rejected – reportedly is offering more than $12 million a year so it follows that Riley will get a huge play increase at USC.

Riley could be leaving because of a huge pay increase. It might be because of a challenge to bring USC back to prominence. Maybe he is leaving because OU is headed to the SEC and he fears competing in that league (the Pac-12 is a much weaker conference). Riley might want to operate in Southern California which is rich in football talent and easy to recruit. Riley could be upset with OU for making the switch to the SEC without his permission.

Legendary former coach Bob Stoops will be the interim coach for OU in a bowl game.

OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione said the search for a replacement is already underway.

“When we met with the team (Sunday), I communicated to our players that our program is about them,” Castiglione said. “It will always be bigger than any one person. And just as it’s always been, Oklahoma football is positioned for greatness.

“Coach Stoops, who will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame next week, will serve as our interim head coach. He is looking forward to the opportunity and we certainly appreciate all he has done and continues to do for our athletics department and football program. Our team and players are in great hands under his leadership.”

“First and foremost, I’m a program guy and whatever I can do to help OU and to support the players, of course I’m glad to do it,” said Bob Stoops. “I’ll do everything I can to help them finish the season in a strong and successful way and I certainly look forward to that.”

Here are some of the names being tossed around as a replacement for Riley:

Former OU coach Bob Stoops

This is probably his job should he want to come out of retirement.

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops

This is the younger brother of Bob Stoops and he has resurrected the Kentucky program.

Arizona Cardinal Coach Kliff Kingsbury

Kingsbury has one year left on his contract but he makes about $2 million a year less than what OU was paying Riley. He formerly coached at Texas Tech.

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables (at OU 1999-2011)

Venables was an assistant at OU under Stoops.

Shane Beamer, South Carolina head coach, (at OU 2018-20)

Beamer was a former assistant head coach and offensive coordinator under Riley at OU.

Baylor coach Dave Aranda

Aranda, a former LSU defensive coordinator, has gotten the Bears to the Big 12 Championship game two of the last three years.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell

Campbell has resurrected the Cyclone program and was reportedly a candidate for the USC job.

OU defensive coordinator Alex Grinch

Grinch has revitalized the OU defense but he is rumored to join Riley at USC.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel

Heupel, a former OU quarterback, is finishing his first year at Tennessee. He was fired by Bob Stoops from the OU staff and replaced by Riley seven years ago.