“They aren't here anymore” - Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione takes subtle dig at former HC Lincoln Riley as the Sooners officially join SEC

Oklahoma officially became a member of the Southeastern Conference on Monday. The Sooners had agreed to join the SEC in 2021 alongside rival Texas and finally made the move to the conference, a year earlier than originally billed.

The school's athletic director, Joe Castiglione, was on “SEC Now” on Monday night as part of the transition celebration. In his speech on the program, he apparently took a subtle dig at former coach Lincoln Riley, who left the program for USC a few years ago.

“I will tell you, without reservation, every coach that we talked to was excited," Castiglione said. "And you know what, the ones that weren’t aren’t here anymore. Well, you either gotta accept it or not. This is Oklahoma. Either get with it or get on with it.”

Lincoln Riley left the Sooners for the Trojans following the conclusion of the 2021 college football season. Riley's move for the Pac-12 team was just months after the university reached an agreement to transition to the SEC. Castiglione's words on Monday have given the impression that Riley left to avoid competing in the conference.

Analyst believes Lincoln Riley’s exit was good for Oklahoma

Lincoln Riley left Norman after winning four consecutive Big 12 championships in the first four of his five seasons. However, analyst Eddie Radosevich believes his exit from the Sooners in 2021 is practically the best thing that has ever occurred in the history of the program.

"I think it might be the best thing that ever happened to Oklahoma football," Radosevich told On3. "Revisionist history, obviously."

Radosevich noted that stellar quarterback play under the leadership of Lincoln Riley obscured several fundamental problems, including roster management. Now under the tutelage of Brent Venables, he believes the team has become significantly more balanced.

Can Oklahoma compete in the SEC?

This is a big question many college football enthusiasts have been asking since Oklahoma completed the move to the SEC. The conference boasts some of the best teams in the college football landscape, which places the program in a difficult position.

The Sooners are projected to be an underdog in five to seven of their games next season. They've not been an underdog for more than three games in any season in the last couple of decades. This presents a whole new challenge for Venables and his team.

As they transition to the SEC, it is to be seen if the Sooners can compete on the field and in recruiting in the most competitive conference in college football.