Nebraska Football: It's Not About If Mike Riley Wins, It's About How

Bo Pelini never lost more than four games in one season as Nebraska's head football coach.

As the Associated Press reported back in November (via USA Today), Pelini was 66-27 during his tenure with the Huskers. It was the "highest win total for a Nebraska coach through his first seven seasons and one more than Hall of Famer Tom Osborne had."

His firing prompted questions, like the one Berry Tramel of NewsOK.com asked in December. "Why is Bo Pelini out of a job and Kirk Ferentz isn't?" That was only one question of many.

For a lot of folks, Pelini's dismissal was perplexing. How could you fire a coach who wins at least nine games every season?

The answer is simple. Pelini being fired actually had very little to do with how many wins and losses he had and everything to do with how he won and lost. That's what most fans think, at least. It also appears to be how the University of Nebraska was thinking, too, as displayed in a statement made after leaked audio of Pelini speaking with his former players surfaced, per CBSSports.com:

"

His habitual use of inappropriate language, and his personal and professional attacks on administrators, are antithetical to the values of our university. His behavior is consistent with a pattern of unprofessional, disrespectful behavior directed by Mr. Pelini toward the passionate fans of Nebraska, employees of the university and, most concerning, our student-athletes. This behavior is not tolerated at the University of Nebraska and, among many other concerns, played a role in his dismissal.

"

Nebraska's new head coach, Mike Riley, seems to be the opposite of Pelini. In fact, the national media made it clear how beloved he is when the news broke that he would be coaching the Huskers.

Riley fit athletic director Shawn Eichorst's wish list, too. After Pelini was fired, Eichorst made it clear what mattered most in the next coach.

"I want us to compete for Big Ten championships and national championships," Eichorst said, per ESPN.com. "But those pursuits are meaningless unless we do it the right way: with class, sportsmanship and integrity."

That's what Riley brings to the table. Of course he'll want to win. What coach wouldn't? The difference that Eichorst and Nebraska fans are betting on is that Riley will handle the losses differently than Pelini did.

As ESPN.com's Mitch Sherman noted, Pelini was consistent, but that wasn't all he was. "Consistent yet volatile," Sherman wrote. "It's a bad mix anywhere, especially in conservative Nebraska. "

As for Riley? He's anything but volatile. Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports called him likable, approachable, smart and competent. Steve Gress of the Corvallis Gazette-Times told NET News that Riley is a "genuinely good person." Most fans feel the same.

“I think it will be good for the program,” Nebraska fan Mike Johnson told Chris Peters of the Omaha World-Herald. “We need somebody with good leadership, somebody that can recruit really good and bring some talent here.”

Nebraska also needs a coach who won't lose the big games in explosive fashion. Even if things don't go the Huskers' way, it seems unlikely Nebraska fans will find Riley on the sideline swinging his hat at a referee. That's what matters.

Ask a Nebraska fan what is most important and winning will likely be high on the list. However, doing it with class won't be far behind. For Riley, that's what it's all about.

Fans shouldn't expect a perfect season out of the new head coach, especially not right away. What fans can, and should, expect is someone to live by the words engraved on the outer walls of Memorial Stadium.

"Not the victory but the action."