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OTHER VIEWS Other Views: Riley leaves strong legacy at OSU Comment By The Oregonian MailTribune.com By The Oregonian Posted Dec. 13, 2014 at 12:01 AM By The Oregonian Posted Dec. 13, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News In an era of 24-hour digital news and social media, there are few truly surprising announcements any more — and especially not in the hyper-competitive world of sports. But the news Thursday morning that Oregon State Coach Mike Riley will leave Corvallis to become the football coach at the University of Nebraska caught almost everyone by surprise — including assistant coaches. Perhaps it's appropriate that the understated coach who was criticized by some for being boring and too nice would slip out the back door while no one was looking. As happens with coaching changes in major college sports, speculation immediately turned to whether Riley could succeed at a school that has won five national championships and expects to win more, and to who would replace him at Oregon State. Time will answer those questions, but his legacy at Oregon State should be clear despite the grumbling of some fans who became frustrated with recent losing records and the widening gap between Oregon State and rival Oregon. Riley, for those who weren't around from 1971 to 1998 or who have purged those 28 consecutive losing seasons from their memories, was one of the key figures in transforming Oregon State from the worst football program in the nation to one that is widely respected even when losses outnumber wins. And while he might not have brought a conference championship to Corvallis, Riley certainly proved that nice guys don't always finish last. Some of Riley's best moments came off the field. Former Oregonian sports writer Lindsay Schnell provided a lens into the coach's character with a story about a time in 2011 when Riley's father was dying and he learned that his unmarried daughter was pregnant. Riley's daughter was worried what her father might say and do. But, Schnell wrote, "Instead, her dad started telling Kate stories about the players he had coached over the years, young men who were smart and accomplished and kind — and about the powerhouse single moms who raised them. No matter what happened between her and (the father), Riley assured his daughter, she could do this." More recently, Riley responded to new revelations, reported by The Oregonian's John Canzano, about a sexual assault early in his first tenure at Oregon State by saying he regretted some aspects of how he handled the situation at the time, offering to assist the victim in any way he could and inviting her to speak to the current team. In fact, Riley might never have been Oregon State's head coach if he weren't the type of person who places a high value on family, friendship and surroundings. He came to Oregon State in 1997 from the University of Southern California, where he had been the top assistant. Previously, had been a head coach in the Canadian Football League and World League of American Football. In college, he played for the famed Paul "Bear" Bryant at the University of Alabama. He had a strong enough resume to snag a better job than Oregon State. But Riley's father, Bud, had been an assistant coach at OSU. Young Mike was the quarterback on Corvallis High School's 1970 state championship team. That also happened to be Oregon State's last winning season before the long losing streak started. So Mike Riley came home and in his second year coached the team to a 5-6 record, a source of great hope by the standards of the time. Then he left to coach the San Diego Chargers in the NFL, and OSU hired Dennis Erickson. In Erickson's first season, the Beavers broke through with a winning record. After three more years, Erickson left and Riley, who lasted only three seasons in San Diego, returned home again. He leaves this time with a 93-80 record and the most wins of any Oregon State football coach. And he departs with his reputation as a nice guy intact. Testimonials flew in by the dozens via Twitter Thursday. "LOVE that hire for Nebraska. Handful of coaches I'd want my kid to play for/learn from ... Mike Riley's top 5 for sure," wrote ESPN college football sideline reporter Samantha Ponder. "Mike Riley is the nicest coach I've ever been around," tweeted Pac-12 Network host Michael Yam. "Calling him a real class act is an understatement." Star quarterback Sean Mannion added his support: "Sad to see Coach Riley leave Oregon St., but wish him nothing but the best! He has meant so much to me as both a football coach and person!" Who knows how many games Oregon State and Nebraska will win next year? But this much is clear: The state of Oregon has lost a powerful role model. By The Oregonian MailTribune.com By The Oregonian Posted Dec. 13, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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