Oregon State's longtime football coach Mike Riley has accepted the head coaching job at the University of Nebraska.
Riley is taking over for Coach Bo Pelini, who was fired over the weekend. Nebraska Athletic Director Shawn Eichorst announced Riley's hiring today. Steve Tannen is host of the daily sports radio show "Crunch Time" on 95.3 The Score in Eugene. He says Riley’s departure could affect recruiting.
Tannen: “Considering how surprising this is, there will be some young guys who were specifically going to Corvallis for a class act like Riley, who as we’re speaking, are probably having conversations with their coaches and their parents.”
Tannen says Riley brought a winning atmosphere to Beaver football in the early 2000's.
Tannen: “I think because he’s from Corvallis, the family is well known there, he’ll always be viewed favorably, no question about it.”
Riley takes over immediately but won't coach the Cornhuskers in their upcoming bowl game. He spent 14 seasons at OSU, leading the Beavers to 93 wins and 6 bowl game victories. Oregon State failed to become bowl eligible this season under Riley.
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