Huskers hire QB guru Riley

Nebraska surprises pundits by choosing longtime Oregon State coach

lincoln, neb. » Oregon State football coach MikeRiley is leaving forNebraska in a surprise to perhaps everybody except the man who did the hiring.

Athletic director Shawn Eichorst ended his oneman search with the announcement Thursday that the 61-year-old Riley would replace Bo Pelini, Riley who was fired Sunday. Ri

ley will be introduced at a news conference in Lincoln on Friday.

Riley has spent 14 seasons over two ten- ures at Oregon State, leading the Beavers to a 93-80 record and wins in six of eight bowl games.

“It is truly an honor to join theUniversity of Nebraska family,” Riley said in a statement. “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.”

Riley’s name never appeared on the radar of pundits who speculated about Pelini’s successor. Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost, aNebraska nativewho quarterbacked the Cornhuskers’ 1997 national championship team, and Arkansas coach Bret Bielemawere among those believed to be under consideration.

“Definitely out of left field,” Fox Sports analystCharles Davis said. “I had no idea he would be interested in leaving Oregon State. He has one big run left in him as a head football coach, andNebraska is a great place to try to have that final run.”

Nebraska, with no natural recruiting base, always has had to look far and wide for its players, and Riley has strong ties in talent-rich California. He also built a reputation for doing more with less at Oregon State.

Riley employs a pro-style offense and is highly regarded for his development of quarterbacks. He has coached NFL QBs MattMoore and Derek Anderson.