Nebraska Hires Mike Riley as Head Football Coach
Published at
Banana Stock/Getty Images(LINCOLN, Neb.) — The University of Nebraska wasted little time in finding the successor to former head football coach Bo Pelini. The school has hired former Oregon State head coach Mike Riley to take over the program.
Riley had been with Oregon State since 2003.
Despite going 9-3 in 2014, the school fired Pelini after seven seasons.
“It is truly an honor to join the University of Nebraska family,” Riley said in a statement released by Nebraska. “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.”
While Pelini won 71% of his games at Nebraska and won three bowl games, the school is confident Riley can take them back to national prominence.
“Mike Riley has a proven record of success, a sound approach to football and teaching, an understanding of the educational mission of our university and the integrity and values that we cherish at Nebraska,” Nebraska athletic director Shawn Eichorst said.
Riley had a .523 winning percentage with Oregon State and won two bowl games during that span.