Who is Mike Riley?

Who is Mike Riley?

By Ethan Wobken/Gator Galaxy Staff

Following the 2014 season, Husker fans learned Bo Pelini had been dismissed from his position as head coach. After a nationwide search, Mike Riley was named head coach, which left Husker fans scratching their heads saying, “Who?”

In high school, Riley was a hometown hero in Corvallis, Oregon where he played quarterback for Corvallis High School. He led them to two consecutive state championships in 1969 and 1970. After graduating, he opted to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he had a successful career playing as a reserve defensive back under legendary head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.

Immediately after his playing days were over he began his coaching career. He started off as an assistant coach at smaller schools in Washington and Oregon until he got an offer to be an assistant coach in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In 1987, at age 33, he became the youngest head coach in CFL history at Winnipeg.

In 1993, he returned to coaching college ball at USC where he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, but later became the assistant head coach. Riley then became the head coach of the Oregon State Beavers in 1997. He was only there for two seasons after he was offered to be the head coach for the San Diego Chargers in January 1999.  After three losing seasons as the head coach, he was fired in 2001. After spending the 2002 season with the New Orlean Saints, he returned to Oregon State for the 2003 season.

From 2003 to 2014, Riley was the head coach for the Beavers. He set records and turned their program around. “I like Oregon State and he did a good job coaching there and I think he will continue to be a good coach for Nebraska,” said Collin Bugbee. (11)

“I think Mike Riley is a good coach and am anxious to see where he takes the Huskers,” said Zac Wobken (10)

So for any Nebraska fans still unsure of Mike Riley, they should be looking forward to the 2015 season and the future of Nebraska football.

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Who is Mike Riley?