Silly Season 2014/2015 (Coaching Changes)

[T Town Tommy]

Nebraska hires Mike Riley from Oregon State.

Color me confused/surprised.

What?

Did they gain anything by firing Bo and hiring Riley?

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

What?

Did they gain anything by firing Bo and hiring Riley?

In the personality department, yes. Otherwise...

 

[irishff1014]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Another name that could get in the mix for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSU?src=hash">#CSU</a> job is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> RB coach Tony Alford, an old ColoradoState RB & Colo. native.</p>— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/status/540537834168254464">December 4, 2014</a></blockquote>
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This would be bad for us.

 

[Emcee77]

Nebraska hires Mike Riley from Oregon State.

Color me confused/surprised.

What?

Did they gain anything by firing Bo and hiring Riley?

Yeah, this is my reaction too. Mike Riley is an excellent coach, but what has he done to make the Husker administration think he can do better than Bo? He never did better than 10-4 at Oregon State. Don't get it.

 

[irishfan]

What?

Did they gain anything by firing Bo and hiring Riley?

I think its a good hire. Oregon State is close to the bottom of the barrel in the PAC-12 in terms of tradition/location/facilities. Riley did well there (the Oregon Nike movement I think has been a killer for OSU), and I bet he does very well at a school with real tradition and facilities. He's got loads more respect around the country as a coach than Bo.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Yeah, this is my reaction too. Mike Riley is an excellent coach, but what has he done to make the Husker administration think he can do better than Bo? He never did better than 10-4 at Oregon State. Don't get it.

I wish Riley well as I like him as a coach. Hope he can get the Huskers back up contention.

 

[Emcee77]

I think its a good hire. Oregon State is close to the bottom of the barrel in the PAC-12 in terms of tradition/location/facilities. Riley did well there (the Oregon Nike movement I think has been a killer for OSU), and I bet he does very well at a school with real tradition and facilities. He's got loads more respect around the country as a coach than Bo.

Yeah, I guess this is the Huskers' thinking. He is known as a savvy recruiter who makes great use of social media. Maybe they figure that when you add the advantage of the tradition of Nebraska, he can reach the upper echelon.

Not sure I buy it, but it's not totally illogical either.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I'm surprised Riley left. Thought he would retire at OSU


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[Luckylucci]

Yeah, I guess this is the Huskers' thinking. He is known as a savvy recruiter who makes great use of social media. Maybe they figure that when you add the advantage of the tradition of Nebraska, he can reach the upper echelon.

Not sure I buy it, but it's not totally illogical either.

I work with a lot of Oregon state grads and super fans. Most are happy with this move. They wanted him out but his buyout was pretty large for what they could afford. Riley is a stellar guy and one that you cheer for but he's a tired guy that doesn't change with the times (scheme wise). In fact I'd say the last 2 years have been terrible coaching jobs on his part. With that said he'll get more talent at Nebraska than he did at Oregon State hopefully he can do something with it.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

This would be bad for us.

Alford will be moving onto bigger things soon one way or another. HC at CSU is about the best he can hope for, so I'd like to see him get that job. The success of Kelly's coaching tree is good for ND.

 

[ulukinatme]

Yeah, Alford has to be up there for the CSU job, it's a good fit given his family and history.

 

[Emcee77]

Alford will be moving onto bigger things soon one way or another. HC at CSU is about the best he can hope for, so I'd like to see him get that job. The success of Kelly's coaching tree is good for ND.

Agreed. Alford deserves that opportunity, imo. I would be delighted if he got it.

 

[Irishbounty28]

If he ever has a quarterback at Nebraska that throws as many passes as Sean Mannion has he will not be in Nebraska very long. I work in Nebraska and know all too well what the fans there want. Part of the reason Callahan didn't work there is because he wasn't a run first coach, and that pissed people off from the beginning, then he lost more games than he won.

I understand what they are thinking. Riley has been known to spoil a few good seasons with upsets of bigger opponents, and that is precisely what Pelini didn't do and got him canned. I think they feel Riley can win the easy games, and pull off some games against big time opponents as well. I am not sure I agree, but we will see.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I'm not sure how he can be considered for head coach if he has never been coordinate.


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[IrishLax]

Mike Reilly to Nebraska... wtf are you doing Cornhuskers?

 

[Luckylucci]

Mike Reilly to Nebraska... wtf are you doing Cornhuskers?

Haha, this is a win for Oregon State (they get the buyout money), its a win for Mike Riley (better talent), and its a HUGE loss for Nebraska.

 

[IrishLax]

Haha, this is a win for Oregon State (they get the buyout money), its a win for Mike Riley (better talent), and its a HUGE loss for Nebraska.

This would be like firing Brian Kelly to hire Jerry Kill. I don't care how you spin it, Nebraska just paid millions of dollars to downgrade (or at best sidegrade) coaches.

Serious question, what choice does everyone think Reilly was? I'm guessing he was no higher than 8th on their pecking order.

 

[Emcee77]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>PS - Oregon State staff had no idea this was coming. “I’m floored” one said to me. <a href="http://t.co/RRMYvyL1Ri">http://t.co/RRMYvyL1Ri</a></p>— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) <a href="https://twitter.com/FootballScoop/status/540567685101150208">December 4, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[phork]

I think its a good hire. Oregon State is close to the bottom of the barrel in the PAC-12 in terms of tradition/location/facilities. Riley did well there (the Oregon Nike movement I think has been a killer for OSU), and I bet he does very well at a school with real tradition and facilities. He's got loads more respect around the country as a coach than Bo.

He did well? He was 2-12 in the last 14 games, and averaged 6.5 wins a year...

 

[MNIrishman]

Come on Oregon State! Hire Bo Pelini! Please please please!

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sources told me Kansas Athletics have offered Ohio State OC Ed Warinner the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kufball?src=hash">#kufball</a> HC position.</p>— Blair Sheade (@RealBlairSheady) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealBlairSheady/status/540580103038959616">December 4, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[irishfan]

He did well? He was 2-12 in the last 14 games, and averaged 6.5 wins a year...

2-12 can't be possible. Cause he went 21-17 the last three years.

Of the 12 programs in the PAC-12, OSU is probably the 10th or 11th toughest one to win at. Washington State and Stanford being the only comparable ones. OSU is the bottom of the barrel in the conference when it comes to tradition, facilities, and money for the staff. There is a reason why USC and Bama both tried to hire Mike Riley in the past.

 

[phork]

2-12 can't be possible. Cause he went 21-17 the last three years.

Of the 12 programs in the PAC-12, OSU is probably the 10th or 11th toughest one to win at. Washington State and Stanford being the only comparable ones. OSU is the bottom of the barrel in the conference when it comes to tradition, facilities, and money for the staff. There is a reason why USC and Bama both tried to hire Mike Riley in the past.

Sorry, in conference play.

 

[irishff1014]

Alford will be moving onto bigger things soon one way or another. HC at CSU is about the best he can hope for, so I'd like to see him get that job. The success of Kelly's coaching tree is good for ND.

I understand that but he is our good recruiter it will cost us recruits no one on the staff is that caliber.

 

[IrishLax]

From a recruiting standpoint, Alford literally runs everything and works harder than anyone. Our staff is not a bunch of grinders, besides Alford. And with Alford the best part is that he was never a sleazy grinder.

The staff will be completely lost without him if he moves on... and/or Kelly will have to get much more hands on.

 

[mtnd15]

This would be like firing Brian Kelly to hire Jerry Kill. I don't care how you spin it, Nebraska just paid millions of dollars to downgrade (or at best sidegrade) coaches.

Serious question, what choice does everyone think Reilly was? I'm guessing he was no higher than 8th on their pecking order.

I would respectfully disagree. Firstly I don't think Pelini is in Kelly's league. Secondly, I think you are vastly underestimating Riley. He coaches in a state with no talent to begin with and a behemoth of a program in state on top of that. Further, his skill set is uniquely crafted to succeed an Nebraska. He already knows how to snipe out of state talent and develop it and should be able to do so to a greater degree at Nebraska. In addition he is the anti-Pelini from a personality standpoint and will be a quick fan favorite. I think you gave a lot of credit to Franklin for winning at Vandy with his handicaps last year but are not applying the same thought process to Riley. JMO

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I understand that but he is our good recruiter it will cost us recruits no one on the staff is that caliber.

True. Anyone who implies that we'll be better off without Alford should be ridiculed. I was simply pointing out that his imminent departure is all but guaranteed, so this particular development-- CSU's head coaching vacancy--doesn't really change anything.

 

[Luckylucci]

I would respectfully disagree. Firstly I don't think Pelini is in Kelly's league. Secondly, I think you are vastly underestimating Riley. He coaches in a state with no talent to begin with and a behemoth of a program in state on top of that. Further, his skill set is uniquely crafted to succeed an Nebraska. He already knows how to snipe out of state talent and develop it and should be able to do so to a greater degree at Nebraska. In addition he is the anti-Pelini from a personality standpoint and will be a quick fan favorite. I think you gave a lot of credit to Franklin for winning at Vandy with his handicaps last year but are not applying the same thought process to Riley. JMO

I've watched every game for the last two seasons and his coaching has not been good. He's a tired and worn out coach. Could that change? Of course, but OSU fans are glad that they won't have to buy him out. Great guy and love what he stands for but bad coach recently.

 

[IrishLax]

I would respectfully disagree. Firstly I don't think Pelini is in Kelly's league. Secondly, I think you are vastly underestimating Riley. He coaches in a state with no talent to begin with and a behemoth of a program in state on top of that. Further, his skill set is uniquely crafted to succeed an Nebraska. He already knows how to snipe out of state talent and develop it and should be able to do so to a greater degree at Nebraska. In addition he is the anti-Pelini from a personality standpoint and will be a quick fan favorite. I think you gave a lot of credit to Franklin for winning at Vandy with his handicaps last year but are not applying the same thought process to Riley. JMO

Well, a couple things.

1. I never gave Franklin "credit" for anything except for being a mediocre coach who only beat bad teams, but is an energetic/tenacious recruiter. I've never had a high opinion of him as a person or coach. Not sure where you got that from.
2. I'm not comparing Kelly to Pelini, I was trying to offer the ND equivocal to firing a coach for a sidegrade/downgrade where the rallying cry is "well, the new guy was in a crappy situation and did pretty good, yay?" Jerry Kill was the closest I could come up with to a Mike Reilly. Do you have someone better.

3. I might be vastly underestimating Riley but I doubt it. He's old with a long track record, and has never shown himself to be a great recruiter (although he HAS developed talent very well), nor is he incredibly innovative. They fired a guy who won 9 games a year for a guy who has lost a MINIMUM of 4 games a year every single year he has been a HC. Riley's ceiling is basically Pelini's floor. Even if you factor in improvement from an easier league and better job there's no logical case to be made that Riley can win championships... and their whole logic in firing Pelini was to do just that.

So maybe I have him pegged all wrong. You might know a lot more than me about Riley. But from a distance, I don't get the move.

 

[Nick Setta]

Mike Reilly went from me thinking he should be fired this year to getting the Nebraska job. He's past his prime and is nowhere near Pelini if I was a Nebraska fan I'd be outraged.