Corn Nation - Mike Riley Named New Head Coach Of Nebraska FootballNebraska Cornhuskers Football - Gimme Red 'Til I'm Dead!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48565/corn-fave.png2015-01-07T13:51:30-06:00http://www.cornnation.com/rss/stream/70989062015-01-07T13:51:30-06:002015-01-07T13:51:30-06:00Nebraska makes 8 of 9 AC's, Support Staff Official
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<p>The University just made the hirings of all but the WR coach official. </p> <p>The University of Nebraska just sent out a press release with eight of the nine Assistant Coaches for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cornnation.com/">Nebraska Cornhuskers</a> Football team under Head Coach Mike Riley.</p>
<p>Here's the release, then we'll point out some things. Remember, the only spot not filled is the Wide Receiver position.</p>
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<p><span>University of Nebraska Head Football Coach Mike Riley announced on Wednesday the addition of four assistant football coaches to the four full-time coaches announced in mid-December. </span></p>
<p>The new additions bring coaching experience from the Power Five conferences as well as the National Football League. The full-time assistant coaches officially announced on Wednesday include running backs coach <span>Reggie Davis</span>, defensive line coach Hank Hughes, offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf and secondary coach Charlton Warren.</p>
<p>Riley had previously announced the hiring of four assistant coaches on Dec. 11, including defensive coordinator Mark Banker, linebackers coach Trent Bray, offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh and special teams coordinator Bruce Read.</p>
<p>Including Riley, Nebraska’s staff has a combined 216 years of coaching experience, while boasting a combined 56 bowl game appearances and 38 years coaching in the professional ranks.</p>
<p>"We are thrilled with the staff we have assembled at the University of Nebraska," Riley said. "This is a successful group of outstanding teachers, coaches and recruiters, and I know they will represent our school and program very well."</p>
<a href="http://www.cornnation.com/2014/12/30/7467947/danny-langdsorf-nebraska-huskers-offensive-coordinator-report-but-scott-frost-sources" target="_blank">Danny Langsdorf</a> will reunite with Riley in Lincoln as the Huskers’ offensive coordinator. Langsdorf returns to the college game after spending the 2014 season as the quarterbacks coach for the New York Giants. Langsdorf worked directly with two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Eli Manning.
<p>Under Langsdorf’s tutelage, Manning completed a career-best 63.1 percent of his passes, and his 4,410 passing yards were the second-most in his 11-year NFL career. Manning also threw for 30 touchdowns, an increase of 12 from the 2013, while throwing 13 fewer interceptions than the previous year. Manning’s passer rating of 92.1 was the third-best of his career.</p>
<p>Before joining the Giants’ staff, Langsdorf spent the previous nine seasons as Riley’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Oregon State. Langsdorf’s Oregon State offenses were regularly among the most productive in the Pac-12 Conference, and nine of OSU’s top 13 single-season yardage outputs came under Langsdorf’s coaching.</p>
<p>Langsdorf also worked with Riley at Oregon State in 1997 and 1998, before stints in the professional ranks with the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos and the New Orleans Saints.</p>
<a href="http://www.cornnation.com/2015/1/2/7482529/reggie-davis-nebraska-huskers-football-running-back-coach-report" target="_blank">Reggie Davis</a> will coach the Husker running backs and also joins the Nebraska program from the NFL. Davis has spent the previous four seasons on the San Francisco 49ers staff under Coach Jim Harbaugh. In Davis’ time in San Francisco, the 49ers reached the NFC Championship Game three consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2013, and played in Super Bowl XLVII following the 2012 season.
<p>Davis spent the 2014 season as San Francisco’s offensive line coach, following three seasons working as the tight ends coach. Davis coached 49ers tight end <span>Vernon Davis</span> to a Pro Bowl appearance and All-Pro honors in 2013, when Vernon Davis had a career-high 13 touchdown receptions.</p>
<p>Reggie Davis worked for Riley as Oregon State’s running backs coach from 2008 to 2010. While with the Beavers, Davis helped tutor <span>Jacquizz Rodgers</span> who set numbers OSU rushing records in his time in Corvallis. Davis also had assistant coaching stops at UNLV and the University of San Diego, following a two-year NFL playing career.</p>
<a href="http://www.cornnation.com/2015/1/3/7486097/hank-hughes-nebraska-huskers-defensive-line-coach-mike-riley" target="_blank">Hank Hughes</a> comes to Nebraska after spending the 2014 season as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Cincinnati under Head Coach Tommy Tuberville. A 36-year veteran of the coaching profession, Hughes has served as a defensive line coach for 27 of those seasons.
<p>Hughes’ one season at Cincinnati followed a 13-year tenure on the defensive coaching staff at the University of Connecticut. With the Huskies, Hughes served as the defensive line coach for all 13 seasons and was the defensive coordinator for four years, while he also served as assistant head coach from 2005 to 2010.</p>
<p>With Hughes on staff, the Connecticut program made five bowl appearances including a trip to the Fiesta Bowl following the 2010 season. Connecticut won a share of two conference championships with Hughes on staff. The Huskie defenses regularly ranked among the nation’s top rush defenses, in large part due to the play of Hughes’ defensive line, and UConn ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense in 2006, 2008 and 2012.</p>
<p>Other stops in Hughes’ coaching career include assistant coaching positions at Memphis and Harvard.</p>
<a href="http://www.cornnation.com/2014/12/15/7399207/charlton-warren-nebraska-huskers-mike-riley-retained" target="_blank">Charlton Warren</a> will be in his second season at Nebraska as the secondary coach in 2015. His 2014 secondary helped the Huskers rank among the nation’s top defense against the pass. Nebraska ranked fifth nationally in pass efficiency defense, and held nine of 13 opponents to less than 50 percent passing and ranked second nationally in opponent pass completion percentage.
<p>Sophomore safety Nate Gerry was among the Big Ten leaders in interceptions with five and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in his first season as a starter.</p>
<p>Warren joined the Nebraska program after nine seasons on the defensive staff at the Air Force Academy. Warren worked directly with the Falcon defensive backs each of his nine seasons in Colorado Springs, and was the associate head coach and defensive coordinator in 2012 and 2013. Warren was also regarded as Air Force’s top recruiter and coordinated recruiting efforts from 2006 to 2011.</p>
<p>Riley has also added several members of the Nebraska football support staff.</p>
<a href="http://www.cornnation.com/2014/12/20/7427587/mark-philipp-nebraska-huskers-strength-conditioning-james-dobson" target="_blank">Mark Phillipp</a> will be the Huskers’ Football Head Strength Coach. Phillipp spent the past two seasons on the strength and conditioning staff at the University of Southern California, and also has prior experience on the strength staff at Oregon State.
<p>Dan Van de Riet is Nebraska’s new Associate Athletic Director for Football Operations. Van de Riet has spent the past 12 seasons in a similar role with Riley at Oregon State, and was on the OSU staff for 14 years overall. Van de Riet will be in charge of the program’s day-to-day operations, including budget and team travel.</p>
<p>Other members of University of Nebraska football staff include….</p>
<p>Hilary O’Bryan, Assistant Director of Football Operations</p>
<p>Ryan Gunderson, Director of Player Personnel</p>
<p>Andy Vaughn, Director of Football & Recruiting Operations</p>
<p>Todd McShane, Assistant Director of Player Personnel</p>
<p>Kenny Wilhite, Assistant Director of Player Personnel</p>
<p>Greg Vaughn, Video Director</p>
<p>Tate Guillotte, Video Assistant Coordinator</p>
<p>Tim Rabas, Football Associate Strength Coach</p>
<p>Willie Jones, Football Assistant Strength Coach</p>
<p>Joni Duff, Football Staff Secretary – Defense/Special Teams</p>
<p>Teri Riggins, Football Staff Secretary – Offense/Recruiting</p>
<p>Max Onyegbule, Graduate Assistant Coach – Assistant Defensive Line Coach</p>
<p><span>Tavita Thompson</span>, Graduate Assistant Coach – Tight Ends Coach</p>
<p>Nick Hallberg, Graduate Manager – Offensive Quality Control</p>
<p>Beau Walker, Graduate Manager – Offensive Assistant</p>
<p><span>Hardie Buck</span>, Graduate Manager – Special Teams Quality Control</p>
<p><span>Keaton Kristick</span>, Graduate Manager – Defensive Quality Control</p>
<p>Brooks Armstrong, Graduate Manager – Operations</p>
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<p>Couple points of note:</p>
<p>- Mark Banker is listed as the Defensive Coordinator. I was led to believe at one time that Hughes and Banker would be splitting the DC duties. There are three former DC's on the Defensive side of the ball.</p>
<p>- Mark Phillip is ready to dive in when school starts, gents.</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Huskers?src=hash">#Huskers</a> FB Strength & Conditioning Coach Mark Philipp can't wait for the fellas to get back to campus. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GBR?src=hash">#GBR</a> <a href="http://t.co/p0IjnN3wBk">pic.twitter.com/p0IjnN3wBk</a></p>
— Dan Van De Riet (@dvdizzle) <a href="https://twitter.com/dvdizzle/status/552677464216854528">January 7, 2015</a>
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<p>- There will be a meet & greet with Nebraska's new AC's and the media tomorrow. If anything comes about from that, we'll obviously have it for you.</p>
https://www.cornnation.com/2015/1/7/7509561/nebraska-huskers-assistants-announcement-mike-rileyBrian Towle2014-12-15T12:44:54-06:002014-12-15T12:44:54-06:00Riley to Retain 1 or 2 Pelini Asst's. But Who?
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<p>Mike Riley was interviewed this morning on the Tim Brando and Jim Rome shows, and briefly discussed the coaching staff he's assembling:</p>
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<p>Riley: "I’ve got some guys already hired that have already been on the previous staff and have made a move to keep a guy on this staff."</p>
— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sean_Callahan/status/544545108943581184">December 15, 2014</a>
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<p>Mike Riley on his staff: "There will be some from Oregon State, maybe multiple or one or two from (Nebraska)..(also some from the outside)."</p>
— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sean_Callahan/status/544544767183302656">December 15, 2014</a>
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<p><b>Update: </b>HuskerOnline is reporting that secondary coach <a href="http://www.cornnation.com/2014/12/15/7399207/charlton-warren-nebraska-huskers-mike-riley-retained">Charleton Warren will be retained</a>.</p>
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<p>We know that Riley has already has f<a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.cornnation.com/2014/12/11/7378835/nebraska-mike-riley-coaching-staff-assistants-hired-only-five-more-spots-hire-tom-osborne-please">our former Oregon State assistants</a> working in Lincoln now:</p>
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<li><span>Mark Banker - defense</span></li>
<li><span>Trent Bray - linebackers</span></li>
<li><span>Mike Cavanaugh - offensive line</span></li>
<li><span>Bruce Read - special teams</span></li>
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<p>The assumption is that Banker will be the defensive coordinator, but since Riley has explicitly said that no coordinator assignments have been made, we'll have to wait and see. If he's not the defensive coordinator, he could theoretically step down to secondary coach.</p>
<p>So who would Riley retain from the current staff? Many point to Charleton Warren, who was the <a href="http://www.theindependent.com/sports/warren-visiting-husker-recruits-but-questions-linger/article_c5040a38-7b79-11e4-bb49-f395f3c2ea09.html">only assistant allowed to continue recruiting</a> after Pelini was dismissed. I'd be skeptical of that, because that would indicate that the decision to retain Warren was made prior to Riley's hiring. Having the administration dictate an assistant that Riley had to retain would not seem to be a good way to start Riley's staff.</p>
<p>Early on, rumors were that Oregon State receivers coach Brent Brennan was coming to Lincoln, but the latest word out of Corvallis suggests that he's l<a href="http://lebanon-express.com/corvallis/sports/beavers-sports/football/osu-football-commentary-andersen-has-good-candidates-to-choose-from/article_513f4764-f746-5986-8018-fd040b5b4acd.html">ooking to stay with Oregon State</a>. Brennan's work with Biletnikoff Award winner <span>Brandin Cooks</span> should have made him a desirable member of Riley's staff to come along. Does this open a spot for Rich Fisher, who's done outstanding work developing Nebraska's receivers.</p>
<p>What about <span>Ron Brown</span>, who represents much of the moral foundation of Nebraska football? Let's also mention Rick Kaczenski, who's developed an impressive group of defensive linemen.</p>
<p>Who would you like to see stay on from the current staff?</p>
https://www.cornnation.com/2014/12/15/7395659/mike-riley-intends-to-retain-at-least-one-pelini-assistant-coach-barney-cottonHusker Mike2014-12-10T08:03:46-06:002014-12-10T08:03:46-06:00Mike Riley And Oregon State Resources
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<figcaption>The man has a chain saw. | Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>I wanted to know more about this Mike Riley character, as we all do, so I decided to ask another source - a source would possibly have a different perspective such as that of a rival. I contacted David Piper of our Oregon site <a href="http://www.addictedtoquack.com/" target="_blank">AddictedToQuack.com</a>.</p>
<p>I thought about asking Piper a number of questions, but given Oregon is in the College Football Playoffs, I wanted to respect his time. Consider this short, sweet, but to the point.</p>
<p><b>- The narrative at Nebraska has become centered around the idea that Mike Riley won at Oregon State despite having little with regards to resources and having to compete for recruits with Oregon. Is that really the case? How much did the Ducks' program overshadow the Beavers?</b></p>
<p>It is absolutely the case. Oregon State, for all intents and purposes, is Iowa State. They play in a podunk Oregon town that you can't recruit to, in a state the produces fewer than ten D-1 recruits a year, with a glorified high school stadium, in a state where they are second fiddle to a big national program flush with Nike cash.</p>
<p>Comparing Oregon State to Oregon in football just isn't fair.</p>
<p>Before Riley got to Oregon State, they had 27 losing seasons in a row. He has done a great job of getting overlooked talent and coaching them up. OSU is a developmental program-if you can make a bowl game most years and go on a run at a top two or three conference finish every 4-5 years when you get a really special class, you've done a great job. Riley has done that. Now everyone finds out if he can take the reins at a big time program. He can coach, for sure. The question will be if he can recruit on that level.</p>
<p><b>- Are Oregon fans happy/sad that Riley is gone, or is more "meh, who cares who coaches there, we're going to kill them anyway"?</b></p>
<p>I think we're really curious. On our end, this really isn't a hate filled rivalry. We see them as little brother. We want them to do well when they're not playing us. Riley has been at OSU so long, we're not really sure what they can do or become without him, nor what Riley can be without OSU. It's a totally fascinating unknown.</p>
<p>[Jon: As a little brother.... ouch.]</p>
https://www.cornnation.com/2014/12/10/7368187/mike-riley-nebraska-oregon-state-resourcesJon Johnston2014-12-08T22:20:33-06:002014-12-08T22:20:33-06:00Report: Mark Banker hired as Nebraska's DC
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<figcaption>Mark Banker | Jeff Golden/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Sounds like the Beaver Defensive leader will be doing the same thing on the Husker staff. </p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://nebraska.247sports.com/Bolt/Defensive-coordinator-in-place-33701147">Mike Schaefer of Nebraska's 247 site</a> is reporting among others that the <a href="https://www.cornnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nebraska Cornhuskers</a> have hired their Defensive Coordinator in <a target="_blank" href="http://247sports.com/Coach/Mark-Banker-677">Mark Banker</a>, who had the same spot with the <a href="https://www.buildingthedam.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oregon State Beavers</a> in Mike Riley's staff there. The discovery was by two current Husker verbals who said they talked to Banker about his role on the staff.</p>
<p>Banker, who has been the DC for Oregon State since 2003, was recommended by Riley to become the Head Coach to replace Riley last week. He made $490,000 last season, according to 247 sports.</p>
<p>How did Banker's Defenses do the last seven seasons with the Beavers? I looked at it and shared the wealth on twitter:</p>
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<p>Mark Banker's PPG allowed rankings for Oregon State last 7 seasons: 97th, 91st, 22nd, 89th, 64th, 57th, 47th. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SampleSize?src=hash">#SampleSize</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Huskers?src=hash">#Huskers</a></p>
— Brian Towle (@btbowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/btbowling/status/542162509739073536">December 9, 2014</a>
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<p>Banker's rushing D rankings last 7 years: 57th, 89th, 28th, 101st, 88th, 25th, 40th.</p>
— Brian Towle (@btbowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/btbowling/status/542164032032346113">December 9, 2014</a>
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<p>Passing D last 7 years: 94th, 87th, 50th, 46th, 79th, 84th, 22nd.</p>
— Brian Towle (@btbowling) <a href="https://twitter.com/btbowling/status/542165933473935360">December 9, 2014</a>
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<p>Each ranking goes back from 2014 to 2008.</p>
<p>Here's a snippet on what Banker is like, courtesy of Oregon State Athletics:</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lJwgqe975rw?rel=0" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
https://www.cornnation.com/2014/12/8/7358375/mark-banker-nebraska-cornhuskers-football-mike-riley-defensive-coordinatorBrian Towle2014-12-06T14:15:24-06:002014-12-06T14:15:24-06:00Report: Mike Riley hires his first assistant
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<figcaption>Trent Bray when he played at Oregon State | Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Huskers have their first AC ready to go. </p> <p>Mike Riley has made his first hire for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cornnation.com/">Nebraska Cornhuskers</a> football coaching staff.</p>
<p><a href="http://nebraska.247sports.com/Article/Trent-Bray-is-headed-to-Nebraska-to-join-Mike-Rileys-staff-33608184" target="_blank">Per this report</a> from Mike Schaefer of Nebraska's 24/7 site, Trent Bray has been hired by Riley and the university and has started recruiting for the Huskers with the visit of <a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Kahlil-Haughton-34167" target="_blank">Kahlil Haughton</a>, a safety target from Waco, Texas, who visited for the Miami game back in September.</p>
<p>Bray, who is 32 years old, just completed his first full season as linebackers coach for the Beavers, and was in his second season coaching at Oregon State after a grad assistant year. He had spent two seasons at Arizona State under Dennis Erickson. At ASU, he coached up <span>Vontaze Burfict</span>, who was one of the more talented yet interesting players in Erickson's time in Tempe.</p>
<p>Bray was a two-time all-Pac-10 Linebacker at Oregon State from 2002-2005, starting 34 games and finishing his collegiate career with 334 career tackles and 10.5 sacks. He started 33 games in a row for the Beavers.</p>
<p>After leaving college, he spent time in both the NFL and NFL Europe before getting into coaching.</p>
<p>With Oregon State, he was responsible for the North and Central Texas as well as parts of California.</p>
https://www.cornnation.com/2014/12/6/7345403/nebraska-huskers-football-trent-bray-hired-recruitingBrian Towle2014-12-06T09:15:01-06:002014-12-06T09:15:01-06:00Staff Roundtable: Mike Riley at Nebraska
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<p>What does the CN staff think of Mike Riley becoming Nebraska HC? Here are our thoughts... </p> <p><span><b><i>What’s your initial reaction to the hiring of Mike Riley as Nebraska’s Head Coach? </i></b></span></p>
<p><span><b>Joe Canale: </b> ugh. followed by eh. followed a day later by hmmm?</span></p>
<p><span><b>Ty:</b> I’m whelmed. I can’t say one way or the other.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Cheeseandcorn: </b>My initial reaction (after shock) was pretty disgusted. But the more I think about him, the more I’m warming up to him.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Ranchbabe</b>: Very surprised to say the least. As fast as it happened, this was SE’s guy all along. I don’t believe any of the rumors that said _[insert name here]___ was offered the job first. </span></p>
<p><span><b>Andy:</b> Is Mike Riley still at Oregon St.? Still coaching for that matter?</span></p>
<p><span><b>Salt Creek:</b> It was so amazing inoffensive that I had to take time to contemplate a world in which we have a head coach who isn’t a sideshow.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Jon J:</b> Isn’t he dead? </span></p>
<p><span><b>David:</b> I was surprised, that’s for sure. It’s been said, but we heard so many names, some seriously, some in jest, but never once did I hear or see Riley’s name brought up. Impressive stealth work by Eichorst.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Mike: </b>I was all over the board. First I was, damn, because I was thinking it was going to be a big name. Then I took a step back and said he’s still a good coach. Then I checked his record as of late, and started to get alarmed.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Brian: </b>Well, to be honest, I was somewhat (really) caught off guard with this one. I mean, who really, REALLY knew about this until the tweet came across the bow close to lunch time on Thursday? </span></p>
<p><span><b><i>What did you think of Riley and Oregon State before the hiring news broke?</i></b> </span></p>
<p><span><b>Joe Canale:</b> I didn’t. I knew who he was but that’s about it.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Ty:</b> I knew a little about him because I lived in the Mountain Time Zone before moving to Omaha (now Lincoln) and I got to watch a LOT of PAC-12. I always enjoyed watching his teams. They seemed to be well-coached. Less run-dependent than we’re used to, but played well most of the time.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Cheeseandcorn:</b> I had read a Stewart Mandel piece from earlier this fall where Mandel was ripping on Oregon State fans who wanted Riley fired, saying they had forgotten just how much he had done for the program and that it was unlikely that they’d find somebody who could match his results with their meager resources. So I had put him in the category of "solid coach who’s starting to wear out his welcome" - sort of a Mark Richt lite in that respect, if you will.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Ranchbabe:</b> I’m with Joe. I can’t remember reading anything about him at all.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Andy:</b> Thought he’d moved on to 1-AA or retired since OSU had turned so shitty the last 5 years.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Salt Creek:</b> I’d vaguely remembered Oregon State had a bad season.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Jon:</b> Once I looked up that he was not, in fact, dead, I remembered watching Oregon State football years ago. They were bloody awful. It wasn’t just 20-some years of losing, it was 1-10 or 2-9 stuff with no hope in sight. Then Riley came along. </span></p>
<p><span><b>David:</b> I didn’t know much and honestly, if you’d asked me who Oregon State’s coach was, I’m not sure I would have guessed it. I remember watching Jacquizz Rogers tear up the Pac-10 but only knew them as a middle of the pack squad and had a Kansas State-esque history.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Mike:</b> I guess when Oregon State fell off, I stopped paying any attention, so I didn’t realize that they were struggling as of late.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Brian:</b> A team with some playmakers that always seemed to be close but never good enough. Also, a afterthought compared to the folks in Eugene year after year. </span></p>
<p><span><b><i>What’s the one thing that Mike Riley has to do (outside of winning) almost immediately in Lincoln? </i></b></span></p>
<p><span><b>Joe Canale: </b>Buy a house. (Maybe he should rent first?) Also recruit. </span></p>
<p><span><b>Ty:</b> Hire great co-ordinators. I think it will extinguish the flames a bit.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Andy:</b> Be nice. But apparently that was high on the hiring criteria, so no worries. After that, hold down the current recruiting class and show his ability to bring Texas & Cali 3-stars to Lincoln. Because Bo’s staff never did that. Oh wait.</span></p>
<p><span>And also hire Ed Orgeron. Even though he probably won’t find the same "resources" here that were available to him at USC and the SEC.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Cheeseandcorn:</b> At least one of his coordinators has to be a name that will impress most Nebraska fans. He can’t just bring his whole staff over from Corvallis - they’re not going to cut it.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Ranchbabe: </b>He already won introductory press conference much like Tim Miles. That is a solid start. Then, he has to salvage a recruiting class and hire some highly qualified assistants.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Salt Creek: </b>His staff has to be amazing.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Jon:</b> Get rid of his Prius and buy something that actually uses gas, because the first time he tries to go out to the Sandhills and recruit, he’s going to get pulled over and have his car searched for dope. That will make the news, and it will happen repeatedly, to the point that people will start to question this Riley guy and you know what happens after that….. </span></p>
<p><span><b>David:</b> Go on a tour of the local breweries and the State Capitol. Also, don’t listen to Jon, keep rocking the Prius (might have to switch to whatever the equivalent is from Ford, one of the new Focus Electrics, I hear those things get more than 100 mpg).</span></p>
<p><span><b>Mike:</b> Award the Blackshirts at the end of August so nobody soils their undies in a tantrum that this was not how Kevin Cosgrove did it.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Brian:</b> Get guys that, in his own words, "are better than he is" as AC’s. He has his paycheck (5 years starting at $2.7 million a year) and he has MULTITUDES of resources that he didn’t have in Corvallis. Planes to go anywhere recruiting. A house that is sold out every day. The things that he thought he could use when he was losing out to guys because Corvallis wasn’t appealing to folks. He now has that and will tell himself and his staff to USE IT. </span></p>
<p><span><b><i>What’s is the biggest thing that Riley brings to Nebraska that they didn’t have in Bo Pelini? </i></b></span></p>
<p><span><b>Joe Canale: </b>Someone who can teach a QB to throw a pass </span></p>
<p><span><b>Ty:</b> A better ambassador to fans and the media. It took Bo awhile. He also seems to be able to develop quarterbacks.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Cheeseandcorn:</b> A few things come to mind: He’ll be a welcome departure from the "us against the world" mentality that, I think, led to a pretty emotionally volatile team - something you could see on the field. A lot more emotional stability will be a big plus not just with the fans/media side of the job, but more with keeping the players steady and focused. Also, player development. Pelini was clearly learning on the job how to evaluate talent that could fit his system and that he could draw to Lincoln, and how to develop that talent to its fullest. By contrast, as USA Today’s Paul Myerberg said on Twitter today, Riley has a PhD in doing more with less. He’s been doing the ‘Bill Snyder lite’ thing in Corvallis for 14 years.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Ranchbabe:</b> He seems like a guy who embraces the idea of being the face of the program. Some said his practices were all open to the press. He is sooooo going to have those guys eating out of his hand. Husker beat writers will think they died and went to hack heaven. One thing that seems to be drawing near universal praise is his ability to teach. That was a trait that was sorely lacking in Pelini’s staff IMO. It remains to be seen if Riley will bring assistants with the same ability, but it certainly seems like a good bet. </span></p>
<p><span><b>Andy:</b> The media loves him. And thank christ for that because if Barf and Dirk don’t feel stroked it’s over before it starts (sarcastic eye roll). Also, I’m pretty sure after one look at Armstrong, he’ll sign five 2-star QB’s knowing one of them has to pan out better </span></p>
<p><span><b>Salt Creek:</b> Experience. 40-plus years of coaching. He knows things, people, and processes. He knows what works and what doesn’t.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Jon:</b> Cheese took my exact thoughts, so I’m going to go with… </span></p>
<p><span><b>David:</b> Yeah, I like the emotional stability and experience he brings. He sounds like he has a plan. I like that. HE also talked about how he wants to establish an identity. I literally yelled "YES!" when I heard that. Figure out what you want to be and get really good at that.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Mike: </b> Honestly? He’s a guy who’s going to be able to deal with the Omaha World-Herald.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Brian:</b> And he’ll be a guy who doesn’t need the Lincoln Journal-Star to make him sound rested, prepared, and ready to go every year! </span></p>
<p><span>Besides that, I’m looking forward to something that he talked about in his presser, and that’s the ability to fit the system to the players. Lets face it.. we’re used to kids (especially on D) not "executing" the gameplan and such for a while. What if, pray tell, the gameplan centered on things that the players could do well? That would be a novel concept! </span></p>
<p><span><b><i>Your thoughts on Shawn Eichorst and the way he stayed very close to the vest in both the firing of Bo Pelini and the hiring of Mike Riley in a matter of 4 days. </i></b></span></p>
<p><span><b>Joe Canale:</b> I’m fine with keeping it quiet. It seems a bit strange to me that this would be his first choice. He clearly must like the guy, because there is no sizzle to this hire. I just hope there is steak. Some of it will depend on the coordinators, asst coaches. </span></p>
<p><span><b>Ty:</b> It’s been his way, hasn’t it? He’s not a big media presence, so I’m not surprised. I have no problem with the way he did it. However his demeanor in pressers might need some adjustment!</span></p>
<p><span><b>Cheeseandcorn:</b> I liked it a lot - very smooth and professional. Eichorst moved very, very quickly to a solid, sensible pick. Very well handled and resourceful.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Ranchbabe:</b> This was a welcome change from the bungled process that brought Callahan here. </span></p>
<p><span><b>Andy:</b> The "Bo’s fired" presser about how resources weren’t an issue followed by a bottom half Pac 12 hiring were best summed up by the following quote:"I feel like a kid at Christmas who just opened bag of underwear."</span></p>
<p><span><b>Salt Creek:</b> He’s clearly a very, very savvy operator. This can only be in Nebraska’s benefit. We better hope like hell we don’t lose him to Wisconsin.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Jon:</b> Cheese took my exact answer again. Jerk. </span></p>
<p><span><b>David:</b> I was pretty impressed with how quiet the search was. That’s really, really hard to do anymore. I tip my hat there. I also think it took some stones to fire him after going 9-3 again. Now, there was a lot of discussion about some milestones that Bo needed to hit and those didn’t get met, so if that’s the case, then it may have been easier that it seems on the surface.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Mike:</b> In terms of not letting word sneak out about what he was doing, he gets an A+. I didn’t believe it when he said that he hadn’t thought about who he’d hire at the dismissal press conference, and sure enough, he wasn’t telling us the truth on that one. Nobody knew what was coming. (And if he leaked the Bert rumor just to throw us off, more props to him…)</span></p>
<p><span><b>Brian: </b>4 is less than 41 and phone calls to Al Saunders during a bowl game and such. Shawn knew what he was doing from the time he called Bo into the office Sunday to when he announced Riley on Friday. Silent Shawn had a plan, kept to it, and stayed with it till he got the desired results. </span></p>
<p><span><b><i>Yes or No: This will help Nebraska Football take the next step from Bo Pelini and the constant 9 wins but no conference titles narrative they’ve had for over a decade. </i></b></span></p>
<p><span><b>Joe Canale:</b> Maybe? I have not-so-fond memories of the last underwhelming, out of nowhere choice that came with a west coast/pro style offense. I personally think Frost would have been a swing for the fences. This looks like bunting, not sure if it’s as a sacrifice or a base hit, but the fences were nowhere to be found. If this is what they are happy with, I might have preferred to keep Bo, if only for the continuity and keeping what I thought was a decent recruiting class. It makes me think the relationship between Bo and the higher ups was non existent and the firing had less to do with football then we were led to believe. That said, I know nothing about hiring a coach to improve a team. I just know that this isn’t very inspiring. But all of these are immediate impressions. If he can keep most of this class, it will be a good start. </span></p>
<p><span><b>Ty: </b>Yes, but I think we need to give it time. The problem is we’re looking for splash and to be better next year. Are we okay with just making a bowl next year? Probably not, but frankly, we should be. </span></p>
<p><span>In all likelihood, Riley will install a whole new offense. We may not see Tommy at QB next year. We might. I’d expect a step back, being that he’ll have Bo’s kids with a few of his own mixed in. When we fired Bo, I put the over/under for wins next year at 5.5. I’m sticking with that, but taking the over, as I think we’ll get bowl eligible (though the game @ Miami looms LARGE). We do still have Illinois, NW, Rutgers, and Purdue on the schedule, though those will be far from gimmes. Add to that S. Alabama and Southern Miss and… Shoot. Okay, I’m still taking the over.</span></p>
<p><span>I’d look to the national media right now. What do they think? They’re big fans of this hire. Riley was considered, by his peers, hugely underrated. I’m not going to talk about the shadow of Eugene or any of those things, but it’s hard to get great kids to Corvallis. You have to make them good. We get good-great kids here. I bet he makes them better.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Cheeseandcorn:</b> Probably not. Some national writer said on Twitter this is the lowest-ceiling hire Eichorst could have made, and I wouldn’t go that far, but there’s not a ton of upside here. Riley’s been around a long, long time, and you pretty much know what you’re getting with him. Guys don’t typically break through and finally start winning conference championships and competing for national titles in their 60s (even Dr. Tom was in his mid-50s when he broke through to the national championship level), and I don’t really expect Riley to be the exception. On the other hand, he’s just about the highest-floor hire Eichorst could have realistically made (other than Bielema, probably). I see very little possibility that the program takes a dive under him. I think he’s going to make the program a bit better than it’s been - not as good as a lot of Husker fans might like, but a bit better. </span></p>
<p><span><b>Ranchbabe:</b> The words "pro-style" gave me shudders at first, but I’ve seen quite a few comments that he is pretty good at adapting to his personnel. I hope this is true and imagine his assistant hires will be pretty critical here. Oregon State has nearly as many players in the NFL (19) as Nebraska currently does (21) and he recruits Texas and California well. He has a track record in finding the overlooked gems and developing them, and we will soon find out if he is also good at getting/keeping high-star talent. The more I read, the more I am warming up to the hire. Summary: I guess you could put me in the ‘cautiously optimistic’ category that he can help the program take the next step. </span></p>
<p><span><b>Andy:</b> No. If this was a home run hire, time to admit we play on the little league field. I feel like Andrew McCarthy in Weekend At Bernie’s when they were hanging by the inflatable pool on the roof pretending like summer was awesome and he just yells, "This sucks! I’m so depressed!" We aren’t at the country club. We’re getting red in the face blowing up the wading pool.</span></p>
<p><span>In a way, he’s the perfect hire. As Husker fans, we make excuses better than anyone. I’m very guilty of that. Well, bingo, we’ve hired a guy who’s had 4 losing conference records in the last 5 years. But! He coaches in Corvallis! It’s the college football equivalent of Oklahoma in The Grapes of Wrath! Sweet Jesus, there’s only funds to put helmets on the defense!! </span></p>
<p><span>All that crap being said, he’s a good guy, a solid coach and I hope it works. I really, really do. Just don’t come up to me and pretend that "Mike Riley" was on your lips when some survey monkey calls you up and sez, "Son? Who wuz yer dream hire?"</span></p>
<p><span><b>Salt Creek:</b> Hard to say. His staff will have to help his case. But from everything I’ve read about him, Mike Riley’s extensive experience, contacts, and teaching ability may be the very thing this roster needs to take this program to the next level.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Jon:</b> Yes. National titles. Multiple. You can either be all pissy about this, or be optimistic, maybe even delusional. And why not? The answer is just as valid were we to have hired a 40-something coach with a $5M salary, a $12M buyout, and little head coaching experience in the hopes that he’s the next Tom Osborne and stays for 20 years. Let’s see what the guy can do. If he doesn’t do well, he’s gone in three years; we find another guy and it doesn’t cost us a bankroll. </span></p>
<p><span><b>David:</b> Yes. Pick a side, people, he said yes or no, pick a side.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Mike: </b>No. But he’s our coach, and seems like a quality guy. We have no choice but to get behind the guy and hope for the best. I can whine all I can about how Eichorst didn’t even try to bring in a championship coach rather than an Energy Bus driver, but it doesn’t matter now. Riley’s our man now.</span></p>
<p><span><b>Brian:</b> It’s a start. Riley is a step in the right direction, but there’s no reason to think that a guy who is "at his dream job" and has everything he’s never had before won’t turn over every rock available to him to get the job done. He’s got a week to do some recruiting before the bowl game dead period. But, between hiring his staff and watching, evaluating and cheering on this team in the bowl game, he’ll have a pretty good idea what will work for this team in 2015. I want it to work as bad as anyone and everyone else does. It’ll be fun, no matter what. </span></p>
https://www.cornnation.com/2014/12/6/7343803/nebraska-huskers-football-mike-riley-hire-staff-roundtableBrian Towle2014-12-05T12:59:19-06:002014-12-05T12:59:19-06:00Welcome, Coach Mike!
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<p>Introducing the new Cornhusker head coach, Mike Riley.</p> <p>Nebraska introduced their new football coach today at a press conference at One Memorial. Let's take a look at what's being said.</p>
<p>From the Athletic Department:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The University of Nebraska Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst announced the hiring of Mike Riley as the Huskers new Head Football Coach on Thursday, December 4. On Friday, Coach Riley was formally introduced at a news conference held in Memorial Stadium.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Coach Riley comes to Nebraska after 14 seasons as the head coach at Oregon State University, spanning two different tenures in Corvallis (1997-98 and 2003-14). Riley led OSU to 93 wins and a 6-2 record in postseason bowl games.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In addition to his time at Oregon State, Riley served as the head coach of the San Diego Chargers (1999-2001) the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (1987-90), with whom he won two Grey Cup Championships, and the San Antonio Riders in the World League of American Football (1991-92). With 40 years of coaching experience, Riley also served as an assistant coach at California, USC, Linfield College, Whitworth and Northern Colorado as well as with the New Orleans Saints and in the Canadian Football League.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>"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."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>"We have high expectations of the men and women who teach and coach our students and Mike Riley is an outstanding addition to our family," added UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman. "I want to welcome Mike and his family to Nebraska and thank Shawn Eichorst for his great efforts in bringing Mike to Lincoln."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>"It is truly an honor to join the University of Nebraska family," Coach Riley said. "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. My sincere thanks to Chancellor Perlman and Shawn Eichorst for their confidence in me and I look forward to becoming a part of the Nebraska family and building upon the great history and tradition."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Riley is a native of Idaho and a graduate of the University of Alabama, where he played for Paul "Bear" Bryant and won three SEC titles and one National Championship. He earned his bachelor's degree in Social Science and his master's degree in Physical Education from Whitworth. Mike and his wife, Dee, have two children, Matthew and Kate, and one grandchild, Eli.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Coach Riley will assume his duties immediately, but will not coach the Huskers in the upcoming bowl game as Interim Head Coach Barney Cotton will coach the team through the bowl. Effective today, Riley's contract specifies an annual salary of $2.7 million with automatic $100,000 increases in each of the five years of the contract (through February 28, 2020).</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Some quick hits from the presser:</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>When asked about his offense, Coach Riley indicated that while he's frequently associated with a pro-style offense, he prefers to fit his offense to the personnel.</span></li>
<li><span>His focus is on being sure the offense has an identity.</span></li>
<li><span>The QB is a very critical position and he'll have a hand in that.</span></li>
<li><span>I didn't catch any discussion of the defense so no idea about the Blackshirts. I suspect if former coaches or players let him know, Riley will implement it, as God intended.</span></li>
<li>Intends to reach out to former coaches (Solich, Osborne, and Callahan, maybe Pelini) for advice and insights about the Nebraska job.</li>
<li>His knowledge of Nebraska extends for their national reputation, particularly their run under Devaney and Osborne.</li>
<li>Calls himself a football junkie, which means, of course, we now have a football dork to go along with our basketball dork. (Who invited Riley to visit him since he probably "doesn't have a lot to do".)</li>
<li>Mentioned that he respects the work Pelini and his staff did while understanding the business.</li>
<li>Recruiting will be different from his time at Oregon State but will continue to have a national focus.</li>
<li>Number one item on the list is getting the assistants hired and to start recruiting.</li>
<li>Will not coach in bowl game but intends to watch "as a fan"</li>
<li>Coach Riley was very much at ease in front of those assembled.</li>
<li>He wore a red tie.</li>
<li>No mention of cats.</li>
</ul>
<div>More from Twitter:</div>
<div>The walk-on program?</div>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Riley said he fully intends to utilize Nebraska’s walk-on program. He said you "absolutely need" walk-ons in your program.</p>
— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobinWashut/status/540892541353095169">December 5, 2014</a>
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<p>Concerning assistants?</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Riley said his staff will include former assistants and new additions from outside.</p>
— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobinWashut/status/540886188375015424">December 5, 2014</a>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Riley declined to comment on which staff he would carry over to NU. "Some of them don’t even know it yet."</p>
— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobinWashut/status/540887699725361153">December 5, 2014</a>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Sounds like Nebraska ties won’t hold a lot of weight as Riley fills out his staff. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Huskers?src=hash">#Huskers</a></p>
— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobinWashut/status/540891704308424704">December 5, 2014</a>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Riley said they need to hit the recruiting road hard over the next week and then go forward from there.</p>
— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobinWashut/status/540892281956364288">December 5, 2014</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Mike Riley says re: assistants, "It’s my job to put experts and good people" around the players.</p>
— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) <a href="https://twitter.com/FootballScoop/status/540886256020762626">December 5, 2014</a>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Perlman told me that Mike Riley wanted to make sure he would have enough money for his assistants before he took the Nebraska job.</p>
— Lanny Holstein (@937Lanny) <a href="https://twitter.com/937Lanny/status/540916239137136640">December 5, 2014</a>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>So we know Riley will bring some of his current staff to Nebraska. We also know he wants to "leave the door open" to outside hires.</p>
— Lanny Holstein (@937Lanny) <a href="https://twitter.com/937Lanny/status/540928018663751681">December 5, 2014</a>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>And we also know he will talk with the current staff, although my interpretation was that he's not too keen on keeping many of them around.</p>
— Lanny Holstein (@937Lanny) <a href="https://twitter.com/937Lanny/status/540928186314268673">December 5, 2014</a>
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<p>PREPARE TO FREAK OUT:</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Great comment from Mike Riley on his coaching staff. He said he keeps a full time special teams coach on staff that doesn't coach O or D.</p>
— Lanny Holstein (@937Lanny) <a href="https://twitter.com/937Lanny/status/540915616526237697">December 5, 2014</a>
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<p>OMG. WE ARE SO B1G NOW.</p>
<p>Oh yes and...</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Mike Riley is very fond of Tom Osborne and owns one of his books. That's always a good way to get on the right side of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Huskers?src=hash">#Huskers</a> fans.</p>
— Jake Sorensen (@937JakeSorensen) <a href="https://twitter.com/937JakeSorensen/status/540887242492084224">December 5, 2014</a>
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<p>On Ed Orgeron, SUPERMAN RECRUITER?</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Good to hear. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Huskers?src=hash">#Huskers</a> RT <a href="https://twitter.com/937Lanny">@937Lanny</a> Mike Riley just said of hiring Ed Orgeron: "I'd like to open the door to others. That's a good idea."</p>
— Jake Sorensen (@937JakeSorensen) <a href="https://twitter.com/937JakeSorensen/status/540905047027367937">December 5, 2014</a>
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<p>The search itself?</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Perlman and Eichorst both said they first contacted Riley Monday morning (a day after they fired Bo Pelini). They got him hired Wed night.</p>
— Lanny Holstein (@937Lanny) <a href="https://twitter.com/937Lanny/status/540908428369993728">December 5, 2014</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Harvey Perlman made it very clear that Mike Riley was Nebraska's first choice for HC. He said Brett Bielema did not get contacted.</p>
— Lanny Holstein (@937Lanny) <a href="https://twitter.com/937Lanny/status/540908093589049344">December 5, 2014</a>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Eichorst: "I recruited my tail off like never before" to get Reilly. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Huskers?src=hash">#Huskers</a></p>
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HuskerExtraBC/status/540894484565725185">December 5, 2014</a>
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<p>Interesting bit of trivia:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Didn't know that Eichorst was involved heavily in the Steve Spurrier hire at South Carolina. Impressive.</p>
— Lanny Holstein (@937Lanny) <a href="https://twitter.com/937Lanny/status/540916862297468929">December 5, 2014</a>
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<p>Oh, and Harvey Perlman appeared REALLY annoyed about the Brett Bielema reports.</p>
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<p>Harvey Perlman says Nebraska never talked to Bielema and wouldn’t have because Bielema just left Wisconsin for Arkansas.</p>
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) <a href="https://twitter.com/swmckewonOWH/status/540903743039221760">December 5, 2014</a>
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<p>Perlman on Bielema: "If he came here do you think we’d have much confidence he would stay?"</p>
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) <a href="https://twitter.com/swmckewonOWH/status/540903982999547904">December 5, 2014</a>
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<p>I think we can stop worrying about the players.</p>
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<p>Several players are in attendance for Mike Riley’s press conference this morning: M. Rose, Davie, M. Newby, Price among them. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Huskers?src=hash">#Huskers</a></p>
— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobinWashut/status/540881422072827906">December 5, 2014</a>
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<p>De'Mornay Pierson-El on new coach: "There's a bond to be built. We're just looking to build it."</p>
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HuskerExtraBC/status/540901047670022144">December 5, 2014</a>
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<p>Finally, Josh Mitchell has some words for us.</p>
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<p>Sometimes I let my emotions get the best of me but this is how I really feel. <a href="http://t.co/TUZeBB5D5Q">pic.twitter.com/TUZeBB5D5Q</a></p>
— Josh Mitchell (@J_Mitch05) <a href="https://twitter.com/J_Mitch05/status/540894644008009729">December 5, 2014</a>
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<p>We'll add a video when available.</p>
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<p>For more information, here's the<a target="_blank" href="http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=209794832"> central hub for Huskers.com </a>about the hire.</p>
<p><b>Riley Profile</b><br>Date of Birth: July 6, 1953</p>
<p>Family: Wife, Dee; Son, Matthew; Daughter, Kate; Grandchild, Elijah Jo</p>
<p>Education: Alabama, Bachelor's of Social Science, 1975; Whitworth College, Master's Physical Education, 1977<br>Playing Experience: 1971-74, Alabama, Cornerback</p>
<p>Coaching Experience<br>1975 California, Graduate Assistant (Defense)<br>1976 Whitworth College, Graduate Assistant<br>1977-82 Linfield College, Defensive Coordinator/Secondary<br>1983-85 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL), Secondary Coach<br>1986 Northern Colorado, Defensive Coordinator<br>1987-90 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL), Head Coach<br>1991-92 San Antonio Riders (WLAF), Head Coach<br>1993-96 USC, Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks<br>1997-98 Oregon State, Head Coach<br>1999-2001 San Diego Chargers, Head Coach<br>2002 New Orleans Saints, Assistant Head Coach/Secondary<br>2003-14 Oregon State, Head Coach</p>
<p>Head Coaching Record<br>Oregon State career record: 93-80 (14 seasons)<br> 1997-98: 8-14 (2 seasons)<br> 2003-14: 85-66 (12 seasons); 8 bowl appearances (6-2)<br>San Diego Chargers<br> 1999-2001: 14-34 (3 seasons)<br>San Antonio Riders<br> 1991-92: 11-9 (2 seasons)<br>Winnipeg Blue Bombers<br> 1987-90: 40-32 (4 seasons); 2 Grey Cup Championships</p>
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<h3>Welcome, Coach!</h3>
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<p>Go Big Red! <a href="http://t.co/Fcx9o629kT">pic.twitter.com/Fcx9o629kT</a></p>
— Mike Riley (@Coach_Riley) <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Riley/status/540898577770217473">December 5, 2014</a>
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https://www.cornnation.com/2014/12/5/7340791/nebraska-football-head-coach-mike-riley-say-hello-and-when-are-you-handing-out-blackshirtsSalt Creek and Stadium2014-12-05T12:52:25-06:002014-12-05T12:52:25-06:00Mike Riley Introductory Press Conference
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<p>Shawn Eichorst admitted that he was thinking about new Nebraska football coach Mike Riley prior to Sunday's press conference where he announced that Bo Pelini had been dismissed. In fact, he's been following Riley for ten years. Monday morning, he started the active pursuit of Riley and by Tuesday, was meeting with Riley and chancellor Harvey Perlman, as both Riley and Perlman happened to be in San Francisco that day. It didn't take long for Eichorst and Perlman to confirm that Riley was their choice, so the conversations quickly turned towards making the deal. Everything was wrapped up by Wednesday evening.</p>
<p>This timeline, as well as the thought process behind the selection of Riley, make it clear that Nebraska never really considered Arkansas' coach Bret Bielema. Perlman noted that Bielema had just left Wisconsin two years ago, making the observation that if Bielema left Arkansas after two seasons, how long could he be expected to remain in Lincoln.</p>
<p>Riley won the press conference with a folksy, relaxed "aw shucks" manner that reminded folks of Husker basketball coach Tim Miles. His first objective is to assemble a staff and make some headway on recruiting before the holiday dead period begins in a week. He plans to bring "some" of his assistants along with him from Oregon State, though he hasn't told any of them that yet. He will talk to the current staff, though that's probably more of a courtesy and to get an assessment on where Nebraska is at on recruiting.</p>
<p>Nebraska ties won't be much, if any, factor on who's on his staff. What he's looking for is (1) are they an "expert" at their position and (2) do they treat people right. That would seem to indicate that any coach will have significant experience. Another interesting revelation is that Riley plans to have a full-time special teams coordinator that doesn't have offensive or defensive responsibilities. That means one less assistant coach on offense or defense.</p>
<p>Many people call Riley's offensive style "pro-style", but he prefers to call it a "smorgasbord." It starts with the quarterback, according to Riley, and his background was as a quarterback coach / offensive coordinator at Southern Cal prior to getting head coaching jobs. That doesn't mean that he'll abandon the run, though. He's had talented running backs at Oregon State (former St. Louis running back <span>Steven Jackson</span> comes to mind), four of which combined to rush for over 16,000 yards in Corvallis. His thought is to "adapt that system as best you can to the team."</p>
<p>He touched on his recent struggles at Oregon State, and how he's got to keep working at it to get better. He plans to reach out to former coaches (including Bill Callahan), and praised the work that Bo Pelini did. He talked about recognizing how difficult this change is on the players, and how he needs to start building a relationship with them. Fortunately, most of them seem ready to give him a chance.</p>
<p>Barney Cotton will still coach the team at the bowl game, while Riley will take in the game as a "fan". Probably more accurately, it will be as a scout as it will be the first time he's had a chance to watch his new players in a game.</p>
<p>The inevitable walk-on question came up, and that's something Riley says he believes in as well, bringing up Mike Hass, a walk-on at Oregon State who won the 2005 Biletnikoff Award as the best wide receiver in college football. <span>Alexis Serna</span>, another walk-on, won the 2005 Lou Groza Award for the best kicker in college as well.</p>
<p>Afterwards, Riley was asked about Ed Orgeron, the former Ole Miss head coach and Southern Cal recruiting wizard who has expressed interest in working for Riley at Nebraska. "I'm glad to know that, I suppose. That's neat." (I get the impression that Riley wasn't really thinking about Orgeron on his staff, but you have to suspect that he might be at least considering it now.)</p>
https://www.cornnation.com/2014/12/5/7340715/mike-riley-introductory-press-conference-recapHusker Mike