Mike Riley: OSU'S Man Behind the Curtain

When analyzing the success of a coach at the Division I level in college football, wins and losses are the most obvious measure of achievement.

However, what are often overlooked are the intangibles certain coaches possess.

Relating to the young men whose lives will be molded by their experience at their respective university, creating a balance between coach and friend and never abandoning either responsibility is key.

What I believe to be the toughest, remaining positive and building up players rather than tearing them down for mistakes made both on and off the field.

The sports world of today is filled with statistics, numbers, records, etc.

It seems as if the genuine sense of "togetherness" has been masked by the overwhelming need to win, win, win.

Some may say that that's why you play the game, to win and be remembered.

While I do agree, I say the game should be played for enjoyment and with incredible passion.

At what point is it OK to scream at, swear at, and physically intimidate a player by a grasp of the facemask?

Is a coach considered a "failure" if his team doesn't win the national championship, but he remains positive about a bowl win and a winning season?

Does he fall into the "nice guy" category rather than the "great coach" category?

Oregon State University, Head Coach, Mike Riley, in my eyes, fits into this discussion perfectly.

Mike Riley has been a winner at every level.

In High School he quarterbacked Corvallis High School to a State Championship in '69 and '70.

He played cornerback under the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant at Alabama and helped win four SEC titles and a national championship in 1973.

Beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant for then California Head Coach Mike White, he helped coach California to a Pac-8 co-championship.

He then accepted the defensive coordinator job under Linfield College's great Ad Rutschman.

Linfield was an astounding 52-7-1, captured five conference titles, and ran the table going undefeated in 1982, winning the NAIA title.

He went on to coach again for numerous teams, but most notably the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

In a somewhat brief, and two part stint with the team, he managed to lead them to '88 and '90 Grey Cup victories.

Riley must be doing something right when looking at his playing and coaching resume.

In 1997, Riley took over the Pac-10 doormat that was OSU— a team that was lucky to win two games a season and amass all of 10,000 fans per game.

Riley's record has blossomed to a very respectable 47-38— a far cry from the output of Beaver teams over the previous two decades.

From 1977 to Riley's take over in 1997, Oregon State had won only 42 games.

In seven years, Riley has managed to take one of the worst programs in the nation and turn it around into a nationally respected team.

However, not as respected as most fans would like.

Recruiting for Oregon State has been sub par when comparing it to other Pac-10 programs, but Riley seems to mold his players to fit his system.

When players are asked why they chose to come to Oregon State to further their education and play football, the same answer is brought up time after time.

Coach Riley and his staff make players feel at home and very comfortable, and for some, the small 54,000-person college town of Corvallis suits their style as well.

Riley balances being a friend, coach, and disciplinarian just as well as any coach in the nation. And this upcoming season is no different, or is it?

The pre-season usually consists of prognosticators picking OSU to finish in the middle to bottom of the league.

While Riley seems to thrive in the underdog role, it would seem after boasting the conferences second best record in the past two seasons and back-to-back third place finishes in conference, the Beavs would gain some respect.

This year proved to be no different with The Beavs picked to finish as low as seventh in the Pac-10. 

In past interviews during fall practices, Riley tended to provide fairly safe and cautious answers to questions about his squad.

This year Riley seems overly optimistic and very excited about the upcoming season.

He's been more outspoken than usual and for a good reason.

There are many questions to answer, however I think he has realized that starting quickly is key to this teams success

If not for a sluggish start the past two seasons, Riley's squad very well could have been in the hunt for a Pac-10 title and possible BCS birth.

He's changed his demeanor and attitude, and seems much more energetic.

Not only does he know how to coach he's a great motivator and can see when his team needs a little added confidence going into the season— a great adaptation by a coach that is under appreciated year after year.

You have to love leadership and positively starting at the top and filtering down throughout the entire team.

Coach Riley personifies the term "player coach." 

But at what point do you become unsatisfied with eight and nine win seasons and bowl victories?

Riley is 7-0 in bowl games in his coaching career.

While some are screaming for the next step to be taken in order to get OSU over the proverbial hump and into BCS games, Riley is, and will prove to be, the man for the job.

Three cheers for a coach getting it done the right way— Hip-hip hooray!