Nebraska hires Oregon State’s Mike Riley as coach
Oregon State coach Mike Riley is leaving for Nebraska in a surprise to perhaps everybody except the man who did the hiring.
Athletic director Shawn Eichorst ended his one-man search with the announcement Thursday that the 61-year-old Riley would replace Bo Pelini, who was fired Sunday. Riley will be introduced at a news conference in Lincoln today.
Riley spent 14 seasons over two tenures at Oregon State, leading the Beavers to a 93-80 record and wins in six of eight bowl games.
“It is truly an honor to join the University of Nebraska family,” Riley said in a statement. “Though we love Corvallis and Oregon State, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to coach at one of the nation’s most storied football programs and I can’t wait to get started.”
Riley’s name never appeared on the radar of college football pundits who speculated about Pelini’s successor. Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost, a Nebraska native who quarterbacked the Cornhuskers’ 1997 national championship team, and Arkansas coach Bret Bielema were among those believed to be under consideration.
“Definitely out of left field,” Fox Sports analyst Charles Davis said. “I had no idea he would be interested in leaving Oregon State. He has one big run left in him as a head football coach, and Nebraska is a great place to try to have that final run. I’m a big believer that you’ve got everything you need at Nebraska, and if you do the job, rewards can be big-time.”
Rivals.com national recruiting director Mike Farrell tweeted the hiring is a “home run.”
“I don’t think Huskers fans realize what a well-respected game coach Riley is and how hard it is to win in Corvallis,” Farrell wrote.
Nebraska, with no natural recruiting base, always had to look far and wide for its players, and Riley has strong ties in talent-rich California. He also built a reputation for doing more with less at Oregon State. He was paid a reported $1.5 million, half of Pelini’s salary at Nebraska this year.
Riley employs a pro-style offense and is highly regarded for his development of quarterbacks. He coached NFL QBs Matt Moore and Derek Anderson, and his starter this season, Sean Mannion, is the Pac-12’s all-time leading passer.
Riley also is known for having a nice guy persona, a contrast to the hot-tempered Pelini.
“There was one coach who fit all the characteristics that I was seeking to lead our tradition-rich football program,” Eichorst said. “Mike Riley has a proven record of success, a sound approach to football and teaching, an understanding of the educational mission of our university and the integrity and values that we cherish at Nebraska. I have no doubt that Mike will assemble a tremendous staff and lead our student-athletes to win Big Ten titles and compete for national championships in the years ahead.”
Pelini was fired last weekend after seven years and a 66-27 overall record that included at least nine wins- and four losses – every season he completed.
Florida hires McElwain:
After working though a buyout issue, Jim McElwain is leaving Colorado State to become Florida’s next head coach.
The Gators announced the hiring Thursday at the same time McElwain started a team meeting with players and assistants.
McElwain accepted the job after getting his $7.5 million buyout reduced, a person familiar with the search said. The person spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the Gators have not announced details of their coaching search.
The Denver Post reported Florida will pay $5 million and schedule the Rams for a future game in Gainesville. Colorado State will get $2 million for that game.
The person said Florida will spread the $5 million out with payments, which will ease the immediate financial impact of the coaching change.