We’ve had this debate nearly a decade. Whether the coach or the town was holding the program from taking the next step.
Now we get the opportunity to find out. Of course, part of that relies on BDC hiring a coach we think is equal to, or greater than, Riley. If he hires a dud the comparison falls apart.
But let’s say he hires someone we like.
a. How long does the new coach get to beat Riley’s achievements? To me next year’s roster looks rough. If the new coach wins a few games, do the Pollys say “told you so” and Riley suddenly looks good?
b. What if Riley fails in Nebraska? Does this prove he’s bad? And failure for Nebraska is 9 or fewer wins.
c. What if the new coach lands 4-star recruits, but the Beavs level of success stays the same? Do we then conclude Riley was in fact coaching up the 3-stars? Maybe rating services are just very wrong (most agree they are flawed, if not outright inaccurate).
Very complex stuff, but we’re going to have to think how to fairly analyze this to know where the true problems lie. No matter what happens, I think taking the risk in this case is worth whatever outcome.
I don’t even think a dud objectively proves anything. Not does Riley’s success. There 120 teams jockeying for position and mathematically that doesn’t compute except for the clear winners of the arms race. I think that now all the pressure on the world is on Bobby D and this is his last chance to get it right. If he dies then it gives us a few more of the college football raffle tickets to win the bigger prize. At least we have football to talk about for another couple of months.
I agree with your first few sentences, but I’m talking more in terms of perception. If Riley wins 12 games next year, is the perception (and perception = reality, as they say) we lost a great coach? If he wins 5 games, do the Cassandras get to boast we were right? And how much rope does the new coach get? Say he wins 3 games next year.
I mean, is Riley REALLY gonna win 12 games? Is that ever gonna happen? Him and his vanilla offense, and defense that doesn’t teach how to wrap up when they tackle, and STILL doesn’t know how to deal with a spread offense/mobile qb?
I’m kinda just happy that whoever comes next will get several years to prove whether they’re good or not. Most programs give a new guy just 1 or 2 years, and then drop the dude for someone else. I don’t really think that’s enough time to build anything. I think we can count on a few down years at least. At least we’ll be losing in new and innovative ways, maybe.
There’s a reason some refer to him as RiLLLLey. He is not gonna win 12 games in Lincoln. Ever. He’ll be gone within 5 years. They don’t put up with mediocrity there. Better facilities and recruits aren’t gonna make up for his shortcomings (clock management, teams that tackle poorly). He will also have Banker. LMFAO. I can’t decide what I’m happier about. Riley being gone or Banker being gone.
I think they’re going to fail, too. They’ll win 8 games (variant +/-1) or so just because they get more talent. He won’t handle the media and criticism there very well. Nebraska made a lateral move. I love that they took him and saved us from that contract.
even in his best years, he always lost at least 4 games. Enjoy Husker fans. He’s yours now. No buyers remorse!
riley will win 12 games. All the angry posters will say its because of his assts and all the media because he’s an awesome coach.
I don’t really care. Just don’t fuck up our hire BDC
I’m just happy we can move on to the next era whatever that turns out to be. Sometimes you gotta take a chance and OSU never did, we waited until the chance has been given to us. Regardless, the ball’s in our court whether BDC wanted it or not. We’ll see what happens next.
That’s exactly what I just wrote on twitter a few minutes ago.
“Scared of nothing. If we fail we fail, but we tried. We know what Riley is, and at least now we’re liberated to try for more.”
And it’s not like Riley was going to be at OSU forever, he’s 61 years old. That’s what I don’t get about the ad naseum media defense of MR…..this is on the downside no matter what. I guess the media thought that after MR retired the program gets shut down?
Fuck Justin Wilcox. 1st person BDC should call? So I guess there’s not any better defensive coaches out there? What a fucking horrible article and the author should be dragged from Corvallis to Eugene and his corpse left there. Wilcox should not even be a candidate
http://www.gazettetimes.com/sports/beavers-sports/football/commentary-riley-s-move-creates-an-opportunity-for-oregon-state/article_2c1eff46-6388-58bf-ae82-8674525f2f19.html
I’m not high on Justin Wilcox, but I know some want him.
Just as a personal thing, I would not hire anyone who is a UO grad for coach.
Biases against anyone who even touched UO aside, I wouldn’t mind having Wilcox as head coach or DC.
Honestly, I just don’t want OSU to try and copy UO’s identity. I would much rather have a tough, defensive-minded team that throws a wrench in the offenses of the UOs, Arizonas, and Big-12 teams of college football.
why? he has zero head coaching experience. we can do better than that
So what? Chip Kelly was never a head coach before Oregon.
I think this is a great opportunity to take a chance, especially if we can find a defensively minded guy. No offense to any of the other options, but I’m seeing way more former or current offensive coordinators being offered up as head coach possibilities than defensive minded guys. We shouldn’t be trying to copy the other 11 teams in the league. Instead, we should blaze a new trail.
Chip Kelly is leaps and bounds better than Wilcox
holy shit balls! Fucking hilarious! To the guy that started the Faux Riley on Twitter, you guys gotta team up. Would make for some interesting banter lol
http://collegespun.com/big-ten/nebraska-big-ten/fauxpelini-goes-on-hilarious-final-rant-gives-mike-riley-advice
Riley is in for a shock with the Lincoln Media/fans. He’s had it easy in Corvallis, SD, and Canada…the media is insinuating he’s leaving partially because he isn’t appreciated. Who knows, but I do know that media and fanbase will be aggressive and very unpleasant.
Talking heads on some national radio program are panning the Riley hire:
“So you fire someone with 9 wins to hire someone with 5.”
“All those knuckleheads who were saying no one wants to come to Nebraska… Maybe they were RIGHT!”
(they of course say he’s the nicest guy though, of course)
The nastiest fly in the soup is that BDC is making the hire. Looking back, Riley II was the laziest option, (probably cheapest too), for BDC to make.
Now? Unless he’s willing to pay competitive salaries not only for the head, but the assistants too, not to mention a better recruiting budget, you’re really going to have a BDC crapshoot off of the cheap list.
lolol
In the bike rack?!?
When I read an article headline written “Riley Hired By Nebraska” I had to check and see if this was April Fool’s Day…LOL! Hip-hip-hooray is how I felt when I found out that MR in effect fired himself.
Riley gets less than the required 10 wins in Lincoln. Color him gone faster than anyone we hire to replace him.
Will we get 4-star recruits from the next guy? Not many but we can tackle like 4-stars, manage the clock like 4-stars and not get upended by Sac State with what we have…I hope!
Captain/XO. The captain plays the nice guy while the XO does the hardass act. It’s the naval equivalent of good cop/bad cop. I wonder if the next hire will know this dynamic. We don’t want 100% Mr. Nice Guy and we don’t want 100% Screamin’ Stoops but we do need to have both a carrot and a stick to have the best chance to motivate our players to perform every single Saturday or whenever the game is scheduiled these days.
Rumor has it Banker will not be joining Riley in Lincoln. If BDC knows what’s good for Beaver Nation, he won’t be joining us either.
https://twitter.com/johncanzanobft/status/540628360552919040
No current assistant will be head coach. Thank goodness for that.
How does this work…regarding Banker’s contract if Riley doesn’t take him to Nebraska?
The new coach will likely want his own DC. So OSU would have to pay Banker? What is his contract status? Hopefully BDC doesn’t hire a young coach who he can influence to keep Banker…
assistants contracts are only guaranteed for that year. So essentially Banker is paid until end of the school year sometime in June or so. After that, he is owed nothing
The athletic department said we would be conducting a national search and that no current OSU assistants would be candidates.
Riley not taking banker? So much for loyalty.
http://www.si.com/college-football/2014/12/04/mike-riley-nebraska-cornhuskers-coach-hire
This article…wow. Schnell has moved beyond defending Riley to openly trashing OSU/Corvallis. As her articles now have national reach, this sort of trash could affect recruiting (coaches or players).
“Riley’s teams regularly churn out NFL talent and played for Rose Bowl bids in 2008 and ’09, a nearly impossible feat at Oregon State. Travel around the country and chat with college coaches, and you’ll repeatedly hear the same thing: How on earth does Mike Riley win in Corvallis?”
“Over the past decade I’ve had numerous conversations with Oregon State assistants and support staff about the team’s success. Inevitably, conversations came down to one question, which usually involved people spreading their arms and asking incredulously, “Do people understand how little we have to work with?”
So….being a game away from (but NOT securing!) a Rose Bowl berth in two major down years for the conference is a “nearly impossible feat” in Corvallis. Mind boggling. You’d think we were recruiting to a Soviet gulag.
Do people understand who was in charge of recruiting that “little to work with”??? I’d very much like to know who was throwing up their hands and complaining about their lack of talent.
Brooks did it pre-nike. Price did it at pullman. Fuck off Lindsey, you’re too lazy to think.
There are Mike Riley fans, and there are Oregon State fans. They are not always the same people.
That fatty needs to go back to her Nutter Butters and STFU. Christmas early is the only way I see this. Man, I need to send a thank you to Warren Buffet and any other Husker that made this a reality. Think Opie lasts 3-4 years max.
She got banned from the all you can eat buffet and really holds a grudge.
I thought it was called “training table” now
Fuck that fat ass sow right in the pussy!
How do you win in Corvallis? Shit, I dunno. Ask Pat Casey. Or Scott Rueck. She’s so fucking delusional it’s beyond pathetic. Stick to something you know. Like food or shoes you stupid twunt
Is that you, Shameis?
Geez, I don’t like what Schnell says either, but what’s with all the over-the-top personal attacks? Sheesh!
Yeah, I don’t like the personal attacks (or get them) either.
I wasn’t a big fan when she was on the OSU beat, but I never cared that much. She was just another Oregon journalist spouting the party line. Now, she is not only more extreme than her peers but she has a much broader circulation. She is literally damaging the program with all the over-the-top negativity and low expectations. That makes me mad.
I’m not attacking her for her looks or being crude, I’m just tired of the lazy journalism.
There were many examples of poor coaching decisions and game management to pin on Riley and staff.
But let’s take the foundation of the “argument” that you can’t recruit to Corvallis or win there. We all list Casey, Rueck, Robinson (recruiter, not winner) and, optimistically Tinkle (recruiter so far). Go back farther to Miller, who established a winning program and brought talent to Corvallis. Throw in Erickson’s Fiesta Bowl. Argument shot down.
But even if you take the position “Corvallis is hard to recruit to,” does Riley’s program, schemes, and strategy make sense and respond to that argument? If you are consistently challenged to recruit both talent and depth, is your best bet then to implement complex schemes that take your QB about 3 years to be effective? Do you eschew QB mobility, when you need every advantage you can get? Do you have complex terminology and play calling, so its difficult for your players to learn, and difficult (apparently) for you to signal into the huddle and get the play off on time? Do you overly complicate your defensive strategy so your players overthink and can’t plat fast (Banker admitted to doing this after the ’08 CW and after the loss to EWU). Do you prioritize project players over competent, efficient players who affect field position (Hekker v. Allen)? Compound all of this with unpredictable injuries.
If the argument is true, Riley’s approach looks mostly wrong. You instead simplify, including terminology and communication, emphasize fundamentals over complexity so you can play fast and tackle and block soundly. You have a mobile QB because it gives you a better chance of winning. I know I list a lot of leading questions, but there’s plenty of relevant examples.
And good God, if you’ve got uncommon contract security, why not evolve your approach? Take some calculated risks? Bring along a mobile qb…bring in some progressive assistants.
Schnell, Goe, et al spout that argument all the time without thinking about it. It’s lazy.
Arguing that some coaches can successfully recruit basketball and baseball players to Corvallis says nothing about attracting 85 decently talented scholarship football players to Corvallis. Those are totally different mountains to climb.
take it back to educk. no one here gives a flying fuck about your opinion
Lindsey’s Riley talk is such hype. Look at the repeated mistakes he has made often week after week in being too pass happy and too easily abandoning a producing running game. Too many head scratching moments to gush this much or think others can’t be plenty successful if they can sell their vision and manage games with skill.
Wells, Harsin or Frost.
Some coordinators that might be ready for the big time:
Pat Narduzzi, Michigan State DC
Justin Wilcox, USC DC
Mike Norvell, ASU OC
Tom Herman, tOSU OC
Kirby Smart, Alabama DC
I’m sure some of those guys are pipe dreams, but who knows…
I know Kirby Smart makes almost as much as Riley did. How many SEC coaches leave the SEC? Just doesn’t seem likely. Would probably be a good hire though.
Here’s your recruiting letter slim,
Dear potential recruit,
Come to beautiful Corvallis to play football at Oregon State University. Weed is now legal here. We have some wonderful programs of study for you to pursue a bachelor’s degree in, including one of the best engineering schools on the west coast. Weed is now legal here. The student body in Corvallis is culturally diverse and students come from all countries and walks of life to attend. weed is legal now. Corvallis is a beautiful setting just 10 minutes off of Interstate 5 and the pacific ocean is an hour to the west and cascade mountain range with abundant outdoor recreation opportunities an hour to the east. Weed is NOW LEGAL here. Our athletic facilities are top notch and we continue to build better or more facilities. In conclusion, we think you would be making a great choice at the opportunity being presented to you to play football at Oregon State in the Pacific-12 conference. The conference of champions. Weed is now legal here.
Yours truly,
New Oregon State head football coach XXX
There’s also plenty of beaver
I’m a bit too lazy today to write up Opie’s intro presser in Lincoln. Anyone want to take a stab at it?
Best day in Beaver athletics for a long, long time. Hip, hip on his departure.
I’m going to throw out my theory of what happened here. Riley had the perfect gig, a lifetime contract in a town where he went to high school at a school that he loved. Why do you leave that? My theory is that this was a way to pay Oregon State back for all they had done. He was going to be forced to make changes in his staff, which means having some very difficult conversations with people that are like family. I believe he also knew that he no longer had the fire to be the coach that he was when he turned the program around. If he coasted out the rest of his contract at OSU he would destroy his legacy that he had built. But, nobody just says, sure I have a contract for six years but I’m going to leave without you paying because I know you can’t afford it.
Enter Nebraska. Here is an opportunity to leave OSU with a decent core of kids, an ok reputation, and no financial burden. It also gives him an opportunity to cash in at an institution that he really has no loyalty to. He likely only has 4 or 5 years of coaching left anywhere. Bo Pelini left with a $3M contract, twice Riley’s current contract. I’m not saying that Riley is going with plans to get fired,but the reality is that I’ve never met a more delusional bunch of fans than the rabid Husker fans.
In summary, Riley gets to leave a school that he loves better than when he was hired (legacy), makes a bit more money for 3-5 years than he would make at OSU, and he isn’t forced to make difficult changes to a staff of personal friends. I would say this in essence what many on here have been asking for from Riley for years.
I respect Mike Riley as a person and a coach. I think it was time for him to go as I believe he had lost the fire that a competitor needs. And I think in the way he is leaving he is showing as much class as he has his whole career. Hip Hip Hooray for him! Go Beavs! Don’t screw up BDC.
Possibly, but that’s a lot of speculation.
Simpler explanation: The pressure was mounting here, and Nebraska offered an escape, including more money.
We’ll see who ends up on his staff.
I’m just stunned that it was Nebraska that threw him the life raft. It’s almost like they wanted the antithesis of Bo Pelini’s personality and coaching skills were slightly secondary.
I also heard on PDX radio that a couple of big donors (whoever they are) reached out to BDC about wanting changes to Riley’s staff for next season and also to let BDC know that Riley had one more year, which was probably not going to happen with the current talent.
I agree with part of what you’re saying, but I still think he has that internal fire, and what we were witnessing was his disappointment that this season and/or last season didn’t have a BCS bowl and getting kicked in the nads repeatedly by the Ducks. The question of “Mike, are your sure you still want to do this?” was proposed, and the Nebraska offer then came along. I think he sees this as an opportunity to win a high level bowl or two and go out on a high note.
He had a chance to “win at a high level”….it was called the San Diego Chargers!
Makes no sense since he’s not taking Banker (or possibly other assistants) with him.
It’s more like this: Riley heard the dissent growing louder. In the past he realized he had some talent in the cupboard and could get by. This time he realized he didn’t, would have to break in a new QB, and didn’t think he could muster out 6 wins with a new QB. You could tell he wasn’t into things anymore. This is why my “bold prediction” was that he’d retire after the Civil War. I can read faces (he was crushed after the 2009 CW; this year he was toast). Well, this move to a new program is the next closest thing to that. I think he has some notion of redefining himself, too, which is why he’s going hard after Frost and not taking his assistants. He probably wants to seem modern, relevant, and win important games before retiring.
Nebraska comes along at the right place (he has a ranch in Texas) and time (he wants to retire sooner than later, and 3.5mil per year will get him there).
When the going got tough, Riley got going. I think he felt under-appreciated. He’s a bit of a dandy.
The big loser here is Nebraska. BDC is very lucky to get out of that Riley contract. Fans get to have legitimate hope to “take the next step”. Riley gets to retire sooner and see what he can do at a real program. Everyone but Nebraska wins. Luck o’ the Beavs turned on its head. This is truly an amazing situation, and a great day to be a Beav.
Not taking a coach with him is a very different conversation than “you are fired”. Looks very different on a coach’s resume also. I’m not saying my theory has any credibility. However, I do feel my theory is more aligned with Riley’s past actions. Running doesn’t fit Riley’s history and wouldn’t make sense in the context here. The OSU “hot seat” is nothing and will be nothing compared to the microscope that is Nebraska football. 9 wins here he is celebrated 9 wins there he will be crucified. And to go along with that Nebraska will never again be what they once were. The fans are delusional and think that they are relevant in the national scene. Riley is not taking an easy path here.
Maybe he’s sucking one up for OSU because he truly does love the school. Knows he can’t win and knows the contract saddled options? That would be kind of awesome.
And if he comes out equal, all the better. I do think Nebraska has got to be using him as a way to suck up to Midwest Nice donors that Pelini must have really pissed off because I can’t imagine they think Riley is going to be their savior.
and then this fuckstain goes and writes this pos garbage. It’s like the media is portraying Oregon State and Corvallis as a shitty job/place. Maybe if you’d stop fucking saying it, people wouldn’t believe it without coming here and seeing it for themselves. Instead they’re just reinforcing it
http://www.oregonlive.com/recruiting/index.ssf/2014/12/advice_for_oregon_state_beaver.html#incart_river
He isn’t saying OSU or Corvallis is shitty. He is saying the new coaches don’t have to honor the scholarship offers so the recruits might want to have a backup plan in case the new coaches don’t want them.
Yeah, that article is fair. Schnell’s is the one that makes me angry.
I get that part of it. But why even write it? Think these recruits don’t already know that? Or I’m overreacting. But I’m getting sick of this can’t do better than Riley, can’t recruit to Corvallis bullshit. Maybe it would be best if NONE of the committed 2-3 star recruits came and the new guy starts over with “his guys”
Portland radio is hauling out the likes of Tim Euhus and Slade Norris to sing Riley’s praises which its not surprising, but now they are saying that they were not playing with a level field because of facilities and that Riley was a miracle worker. I would have liked to hear Norris say that back when he was playing as the reason why they lost to the Ducks.
Lots of tweets when searching “Matt Wells Oregon State” on twitter. None found with same using Harsin. He seems pretty happy in Boise. Seems like the ideal time to hire Matt Wells while he is affordable for OSU and fresh. His stock may rise a tad more but a place like Oregon State is really perfect for him when considering the next 7 years of his career. Oregon State can either pay his buyout or delay his official start date to July 1st when it expires and still can pay him a salary that is 2.5 times what he makes at Utah St. If he gets this thing going and has some 8+ win seasons then he gets to have say in Reser Phase 3 in about 4 years from now when it gets serious and very soon he will have brand new offices, weight rooms etc with the Valley Center upgrade which he will be able to benefit from shortly after taking over the program. Love that combo of Wells and Tinkle when thinking we could have those two for the next 7 years as the leaders and faces of our major programs. Puts OSU in a much healthier position and attractive to recruits.
3.5 million dollar buyout. Think BDC will pony up for that? Doubtful. I’d take Wells in a heartbeat though
How could you possibly wait until July 1st for that hire though? You’d have a disastrous recruiting class, no spring practice, and grossly inadequate prep time to get ready for 2015.
I think you’d be money ahead with the buyout, if those were the only two options…
I’m trying to figure out what Nebraska sees in Mike Riley and then I realize they hired Bill Callahan too.
On the thread question, dont be silly. Corvallis hard to recruit to is just a crutch used by the weak. There are LOTS of crummier college towns out there that do just fine in recruiting. Riley himself proved he was the problem, by not even maintaining the level of success we had earlier in his career.
The only mystery is why in hell Nebraska, or anyone else, would want an old, obviously dissapated Mike Riley….
I agree the right coach can recruit there. But I can envision a situation where BDC hires a lame coach to fit the Corvallis culture, and then they land crap recruits, and the Pollys all say, “see, told you?”…can’t you?
I fear BDC will hire to the town/media culture rather than the best coach.
Colleges make stupid hiring decisions all the time. It’s very much a good ol’ boys club. In this case, Riley’s hire was very much reactionary. They’ve been living with a coach who embarrassed the program by being a jerk, so they go out and hire the nicest guy they can find.
Pretty much. Guys do this…date a nice girl, get bored, date a slut, get bored, date a nice girl, etc etc etc. This is human nature. The next OSU coach, by this logic, should be aggressive/young. As I said above, though, I fear BDC will hire to the OSU culture…maybe not get the best guy but instead get someone who will fit in with Mike Parker and all those media dorks. i.e. a boring coach. This is my fear right now. We’ll see when the final list of candidates comes out.
Uou know you should thank your arch enemy for hanging 7 in a row on Riley the last beat down was the last straw. You know Mike called Nebraska’s hot line and said he wouldn’t mind the job if they were interested.
Anyone know if Florida got a little knocked off the McElwain buyout? I think that is fairly common. Cash in hand worth more than attorney fees. Schools changing conferences usually settle for considerably less. Florida may have got a million or so shaved off. Oregon State could offer Utah State 2.5 million up front and see if it gets the job done.
Not as much flame to Harsin talk but he is a fine coach and at the top of my list. Frost could be interesting. Beau Baldwin not in my Top 3 but he probably would do okay. He knows who he is. Wells has a better defense. If Harsin doesn’t have enough interest in a Pac-12 promotion because he loves Boise then offer Wells first and consider Frost and Baldwin. No to Mendenhall. Not enough of the fresh start OSU needs.
they paid a record 5 million per ESPN. McElwain paid the other 2 mil so CSU got the full amount of the buyout
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11979092/florida-gators-pay-record-5-million-buyout-colorado-state-jim-mcelwain
Most people say Harsin really only wants the BSU job. Born in Boise and went to school/played at BSU.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt to give it a shot but I think we’d have more luck elsewhere.
Most people said Riley only wanted the Oregon State job
It pisses me off that Riley wouldn’t get rid of Banker when we were pleading for someone/anyone who would bring new ideas for stopping the spread and now it looks like he’s not taking that SOB to Nebraska with him. I don’t want to hear the word loyalty and Riley in the same sentence! I wanted to read Cornhuskers message boards after they lose to Northwestern with Banker running the D!
I was going to post that exact thought myself, but you said it perfectly:
“It pisses me off that Riley wouldn’t get rid of Banker when we were pleading for someone/anyone who would bring new ideas for stopping the spread and now it looks like he’s not taking that SOB to Nebraska with him. I don’t want to hear the word loyalty and Riley in the same sentence!”
What about the loyalties? Think about the loyaltiiiiiesssss :(
Banker was the perfect DC for OSU, but apparently not good enough for Nebraska……that tricky Mike Riley!
Meep meep!
This line is why I am glad Riley is gone.
“Over the past decade I’ve had numerous conversations with Oregon State assistants and support staff about the team’s success. Inevitably, conversations came down to one question, which usually involved people spreading their arms and asking incredulously, “Do people understand how little we have to work with?””
The coaching staff seems to have bought into the idea that they can’t make a competitive football team on a 65 million dollar budget. Lindsay makes it sound like they often embraced the idea that they couldn’t compete. Maybe Riley will do better at Nebraska with a better attitude but OSU needs a coaching staff that doesn’t believe they have little to work with. Hope we can keep Bray and Brennan and lose the rest of the staff.
Slade Norris said on the radio today that playing Oregon was like coming to a fight with knife when the opponent has a pistol. They have all bought into this crap.
Funny, I’d think the coaching would be your “weapon” in such a fight.
Mike Riley, grooming professional losers.
He really has showed himself to be a master manipulator.
Nice to make that statement 5 or 6 years later….how about raising the concern about facilities while you were playing? Or during Civil War Week how about saying….”we are going to lose to the Ducks because we can’t compete with their facilities.” In some ways I think Riley is running from Oregon, only God knows why Nebraska wants to bail him out?
My buddy who has gotten tickets with me since 2001 sent this email to Ed Ray earlier this week and here was his response. I didn’t get tickets for myself this year but I did for our group. I have “x’d” out his identifying material:
From: Ray, Ed [mailto:Ed.Ray@oregonstate.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, December 2, 2014 12:14 PM
To: XXXXXX
Cc: Athletic Director (external account)
Subject: RE: Current direction of Beaver Football.
XXXX,
Thanks for taking the time to write and for your advice. I expect to see changes in the months ahead.
Ed
From: XXXXX
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 9:27 AM
To: Ray, Ed
Cc: Athletic Director (external account)
Subject: Current direction of Beaver Football.
Mr. Ray and Mr. De Carolis,
I wanted to drop you a quick note on just how concerned I am with the current direction and leadership of our Football program. As a graduate of OSU in 1993 I knew all too well the pain of losing and losing often. In my 4 + years at OSU I believe we won around 10 or 11 games. The stadium was at times less than 1/3rd full or less and to be honest the student body generally did not care. The late 90’s and early 2000’s brought new optimism and a winner. The fan base and student body became energized and we built and or upgraded our facilities by leaps and bounds. Mike Riley became a the savior and was beloved by Beaver Nation. I truly appreciate all that he has done to re energize the students and fan base. Some of my greatest memories are at Reser late night’s in the cold screaming and cheering for our beloved Beavs. Regrettably we have fallen on some hard times and I believe the leadership of the Football program is not what it should be. We are in an arms race in the PAC 12 and we are falling behind quickly. It is obvious that the product on the field is in trouble and falling behind by the minute. What bothers me the most is that I don’t see the leader of the program acknowledging or taking steps to rectify this problem. Mr Riley has been given 14 years to build a program that can sustain a product on the field that we can all be proud of and he is in my opinion failing. I do not see him making the necessary changes in staff or scheme and most concerning I see a coach who is comfortable and won’t make change because either he doesn’t believe in it or doesn’t know how. Either way this is a lack of leadership that in my opinion is unacceptable. Just look at other Universities such as Nebraska who let their coach go after 7 years of 9 wins or better. We at OSU deserve better and I expect that the leadership at OSU recognize this and force change. Let Mr. Riley know that the status quo is not acceptable and if he refuses I urge you to make a change. Please don’t let apathy set in don’t let OSU Football back in to the feeling we had back in the 28 year losing streak. I am not a large donor but have been a season ticket holder for 10 + years. We make the trek from Hood River. Just two years back we had a group of 16 that is down to 8 this year and we have already discussed not renewing next season. Look at the stands, look at the records, look at the film. I fear the fanbase is losing faith and I urge you to take the steps necessary to keep that from happening.
XXXXXX
OSU School of Business 1993
Yeah, I was surprised you buddy got a response but it seems like Ray was aware of Opie bailing earlier in the week. I’m beyond happy. Huskers won’t be after next season.
Opie quote from 2015 presser.
“In hindsight I wished we would have run the ball more but it’s not like we have Rimington/Outland Trophy linemen in the program… Uh, is that Dave back there….??? It’s always great to have former Huskers come back to Lincoln. What was the question?”
I’m predicting it will be worse than San Diego and that he’ll be retired by 2018,
I like the first part of this article from the Corvallis paper which actually calls out Riley’s coaching deficiencies (which the national media is ignoring or doesn’t care)….love the phrase “bewildering clock management”. Not sure about Justin Wilcox though.
http://www.gazettetimes.com/sports/beavers-sports/football/commentary-riley-s-move-creates-an-opportunity-for-oregon-state/article_2c1eff46-6388-58bf-ae82-8674525f2f19.html
Anyone have a blitz account? I’d like to know what is going on there.
Whaddy want to know Angry? Overall, folks are relieved that Opie is gone and that we’re not on the hook with the effed up contract through ’21. There aren’t too many that are saying “Be careful what you wish for.” HC candidate names are similar to what we’re seeing here. A number have said that they’ve donated to the program as soon as they heard the news, myself included. DeCareless sent out a brief template-like communique with little substance. The AD office could have gone on the offensive and said they were committed to winning the PAC, etc. but it’s DeCareless so he’s already lost that opportunity. What an idiot.
What is Mamma Machado’s stance? Is she happy to see him go, or is she protecting him?
You’re saying the majority are glad he’s gone? That is surprising from a forum that banned me 3 times from 2006-2007 for saying this guy would get us nowhere fast. They have always been very steadfast that Riley is great.
Were any bitter that he bailed on the program again? How about sharing your account with me, buddy. ;) I can’t get on there. They ban me every time.
Has anyone else considered that we might be going back to the 1980’s here soon? Powerhouse hoops program….joke of a football program. I hope not on the football piece, but the thought has occured to me.
Best list I can come up with
1. Matt Wells – Utah St (3.5 million buyout. good luck)
2. Jack Del Rio – Denver Broncos D coordinator, former feared NFL D lineman and Jacksonville HC, Did ok at Jacksonville with record of 68-71 including 12-4 in 2005 and 11-5 in 2007. Son Luke is a QB at OSU
3. Ed Orgeron – excellent recruiter who could probably get talent to Corvallis. Question is can he coach it? 10-25 record in 3 years at Ole Miss several years ago concerning but did go 6-2 replacing fired Lame Kiffen at USC last year. Had he beaten UCLA he’d probably be HC at SC instead of Sark.
4. Bronco Mendenhall – BYU HC. Has ties to OSU but seems to have worn out his welcome in Provo. Sound familiar? 90-39 record in 9 years at BYU
5. IDK. Baldwin? Have to give it some thought.
I think getting involved with the Del Rio’s is a classic value trap. Avoid.
Jim Mora Jr didn’t do so well in the NFL but has done well at UCLA. So there is THAT. I’m not saying Del Rio would get it done but he certainly knows how to coach if he’s been in the NFL for this long. His son won’t be around long.
Do you feel that way about Wayne and Tres Tinkle? Who’s to say Del Rio is not a good QB with a better coach? You were never high on Mannion. Is Mannion a better QB now had he gone elsewhere instead of coming to OSU?
BYU plays Nebraska in the first game of the season next year.
I’m hearing Brady Hoke’s name a lot too. Beaver ties, wants another shot in the Power 5 conference.
Brady Hoke would be an awful hire. He’s essentially Mike Riley and just got done ruining Michigan.
Failed at a school with all the built in advantages. Yeah, that’s a great idea.
So did Rich Rod. Gotta give the guy more than 3 years. I don’t want Hoke either
Totally different situation. Dick Rod was hung out to dry and was not supported by the boosters. Hoke was their “Michigan Man.”
I’d avoid Del Rio and Orgeron. They’d have their moments, but they don’t strike me as the answer; Orgeron would need a very strong offensive coordinator to whom he’d listen (same as Riley). I doubt Del Rio would care about the program as much having a unique opportunity to coach his son. Could be wrong there.
Mike Riley has to go down as the nicest coach to the media in college football history.
I think the Oregon media is actually in mourning right now. They are not going to find anyone this easy and accessible in the coaching ranks.
who is going to bring the popsicles to spring camp?
But what value the accessibility? He doesn’t say anything!
…and the UO coaches are in shock……Oh, god, they might get someone who might actually beat us once in a while!!
If we only had gotten the Tartan end zones, all of this could have been avoided.
Actually next season is now a much better time for upgraded endzones. That was always going to have a lot more impact as “new and exciting” if Riley wasn’t the coach. With Valley getting the renovations soon Massari already stated endzone changes will be on the table and vetted this offseason. So I think we can expect changes there and the timing is perfect for it to generate maximum effect.
I know Pat Narduzzi(Dc for Michigan st.)has been mentioned, any thoughts on him? I didn’t research his cultural background to know where he is from or where he may have played.
I believe he is from Connecticut. I think U Conn tried to hire him last year and he turned down his home state.
How did he did his defense perform against the Oregon spread in Eugene this year? 46 points, 491 yards, 173 yards rushing, 4.3 yards per rush.
Oregon State (Banker) this year against the Oregon spread, 49 points, 565 yards, 198 yards rushing, 4.9 yards per rush.
No commentary, just info for discussion.
I think what’s going to be very interesting to see is how is the talent on the roster going to respond. What does a new staff do with the likes of Justin Strong? Nall? Haskins? There’s going to be some fast RFR OLBs. McMarryion? Does Woods stick around?
And how does the team as a whole respond, some knowing that they might have a new shot at starting? There’s going to be a new sense of competition. How do they ramp up off-season prep? What if the new staff prioritizes ability over seniority?
It’s going to be interesting to watch. Some of the decisions will be limited by a thin roster, but I think some players are going to reach new heights in on-the-field performance.
Who are the players that will stand up and out?
I’ve been out of the loop the past few hours. Maybe it’s already been asked, but does anybody know if Riley had a buyout or if he was basically a free agent? Just thinking if there was any buyout money coming in, that would make paying out a buyout for an incoming coach (Matt Wells) more palatable.
Think I heard it might have been 500K. Check the Canzano article about Riley’s contract moving towards tough to fire. First comment on there about how BDC over committed on that deal with Riley guaranteed for years but free to walk away with a cheap buyout if he ever wanted to.
500K is the buyout Nebraska owes OSU
Let’s just think of it as $12,500,000. It’s all in the perspective.
Near-lifetime $1.6 million/year contract with only a $500,000 penalty for leaving. Must be nice!
Here’s an article OLive put out there:
http://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/index.ssf/2014/12/how_mike_rileys_contract_with.html#incart_maj-story-1
Huskers only have to pay OSU $500,000 for Mike Riley’s buyout thanks to the 2006 cop out clause Riley put into his contract…so no 12.5 million buyout…so we don’t get much!
Well, not as big as I had hoped, but still a great situation to not owe money AND get money in return. Maybe the Al Reser stashed away an emergency donation fund for a situation like this.
Hell, I wonder if Phil Knight would even privately contribute just to help keep the in state rivalry strong? He did it to keep Pat Casey at OSU, so I wouldnt say its out of the question.
Phil sure gets a lot of credit for the $200k contribution. That was simply loose change he found in his recliner chair at home.
Uncle Phil wouldn’t go that far IMO.
Funny pic I saw of Opie meeting Nebraska players holding his Bike Helmet Beaver Nike Bag while the players are clad in Husker Red Adidas. You’d think he’d at least get a three stripe before the meeting.
If we had a dynamic AD to go along with a great new hire you’d think Campaign for OSU Athletics would generate at least $50-75M in donations. We surpassed $1B for the entire school recently.
All the lack of $$ rhetoric seems puzzling everyone I know from my days at OSU most are now earning 6 figures .. Many just need to be pushed to start donating. Especially the group down here in so cal since it’s so expensive to live.
I remember after I graduated and I was still in touch with a chick who was at OsU she worked at the fundraising call center.. They would literally just call Alums and ask for money for sports programs .. Does anyone know if that still goes on?
It should be a wild week or so to see who we get in here.. So many possibilities.. One I haven’t heard is Trent Bray. Maybe a few years pre mature and I know Canzano said sources say no one from current staff is an option but that would be the one guy from current staff I’d be ok with. He seems already to be the best recruiter and he is clearly our best coach. Although I’m sure Riley wants him in Braska.
I’m one (humble-brag, commence the downvotes) but I’ve never gotten a call. Then again, I’m not even sure they have my number.
Oh wait, you mean $xxxxxx, not $xxxx.xx don’t you :(
I think DeCareless stopped the calls in favor of letters or something. Cost a little too much even though the net gain in dollars and alum/fan equity was higher. If true it’s another in a long list of nimrod moves.
Given everyone’s purported surprise – staff, players – I wonder when DeCarolis learned about this from Riley?
The focus is on Riley right now in the mainstream media. The focus needs to shift to BDC quick. He’a a manager, how does he manage this change in staffing? With Robinson it was clumsy, late, but seemed to work out so far. Rueck was a big improvement over a previous mistake (not sure that mistake was BDC’s, but I have the perception he handled it poorly).
I hope to god he doesn’t go with someone like Hoke, thinking he’s landed a “big name.”
We should consult this dude on the hire.. Turkish billionaire OSU under grad
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hüsnü_Özye?in
What do people think of Schiano?
Would be a neat deal if OSU could schedule a home-and-home with Nebraska in the next 5 years. Riley will be gone in 5 or less.
Dunno if there’s any openings on the schedule.
Just remembered that Nebraska has a home and home with the Ducks in ’16 and ’17.
This will be great! Gets to extend his losing streak.
Trouble is BDC is still part of the equation. An AD is needed who doesn’t just buy into the “Corvallis is a dump” rhetoric. So are at least probably half the other P5 college towns and areas. Lincoln, State College, Norman, Manhattan- all suck with few in-state recruits (with the exception of PSU). OSU needs an AD who sees the glass as half full. With the TV contracts, bowl restructuring, conference divisions, and multimedia for visibility and recruiting, there has never been a better time for OSU football to succeed.
Man I hope he at least hires an energetic young coach who wants to make lemonade out of lemons. Who cares if they move on. The Fiesta Bowl year was way more exciting than the sum of all the years since.
Eggers with his take on why Riley left
http://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/242809-110178-examining-the-move-that-caught-beaver-nation-by-surprise