Is Mike Riley on the hotseat?
CBSSports.com put out its hot seat list for college football coaches for the coming season. For a look at the Pac-12, click here.
Oregon State coach Mike Riley is rated as having pressure.
He does have pressure to win, but barring a total collapse — and it’s possible — the cost to fire him is just too much.
AD Bob De Carolis said he didn’t want to use the new TV money to fire him and hire a new coach. He would prefer to pay down the debut.
However, he can’t lose the football fan base, which funds the overall program.
While I don’t think OSU will win the conference, I don’t think it will go 3-9 again. There’s enough talent, development and the rest of the conference rebuilding for the Beavers to win six games.
However, if they only win five, what would be the backlash? That’s the worst scenario of all. If OSU wins three or less, then De Carolis is justified in making a change.
Six wins, and Riley can continue to build for a breakout year in 2013 or 2014. That four- or five-win season makes things complicated.
49 comments
BeaverDon says:
Jun 25, 2012
In order for Riley to be on the hot seat he would have to go 0-12 or maybe 1-11. Going with a four or five win season would be an “improvement” over 2011, so based on what I see on this and other boards and hear from other fans at games, he would be safe. If he gets 6 wins and a berth in the New Mexico Bowl he would be good for the next several years.
beaverpride says:
Jun 26, 2012
I have a hard time coming up with more than 3 wins this year. However, I feel that Riley should be fired unless he has a winning season. Unfortunately, he is probably safe regardless of record. Not because of fan support but because of $ and BDC’s perception of the program. He doesn’t think it is possible for the football team to do much better than it has under Riley.
Ben says:
Jun 25, 2012
Riley has a lot to prove this season. He has to show an ability to turn things back in the other direction immediately. I think a total collapse is possible. Doubtful recruiting this last year will contribute significantly enough to counter glaring problems from last season. Also, the reviews of Mannion’s spring performance were not stellar. A 3-win season is still very possible.
AndyPanda says:
Jun 25, 2012
Had it not been for quarterback injuries at both of the Washington schools, last year was a total collapse.
Of course Bob De Carolis would prefer to not need to buy out Riley or any other coach, and pay down his debts. Here’s hoping he doesn’t have to. But 8-18, and worse, being non-competitive a half dozen times, is a non-performance level that just can’t be allowed to continue.
Tagup says:
Jun 26, 2012
So you consider injuries to the other teams but not OSU?….in case you hadn’t noticed OSU had major injury issues on both sides of the ball all year long.
RICK says:
Jun 26, 2012
Tagup is right. Injuries decimated the Beavers in 2011. Riley was smart enough to go with a lot of young players knowing it would be a tough year, I can’t believe how many fair weather Beaver fans are out there. A lot of it is frustration from Oregon becoming a NCAA powerhouse. Well, we don’t have the funds tha Oregon has. I would like to see how many of these fair weather Beaver fans have donated monies to help out. Riley is a great coach, the cycle is changing back and the next 3-5 years should be great years for the Beaver Football Program.
fahlgren says:
Jun 26, 2012
I think Andy’s point was that we would have been much less likely to win the UW and WSU games with their starters at 100%. So yeah, winning only one game last year would have been a total collapse, injuries or not. He’s not saying their injuries count and ours don’t.
Tagup says:
Jun 26, 2012
Of course he is……The same argument can be made from the other side..had OSU been healthy and had their starters 100% all year long OSU would have won more games…
Tagup says:
Jun 26, 2012
Just a thought…(off the top of my head)
Offense: Agnew,Bishop,Burke,Unger,Halahuni,Grant Johnson,Michael Phillip, Remmers, James Rodgers.
Defense: Collins,Frahm,Hardin,Tony Wilson,Glover,Taylor Henry,Masaniai,Mitchell Unga.
All of these players missed games (Hardin, Glover and Phillip didn’t play at all) and/or played with nagging injuries.
Do you think any team with 17 of there top players out or injured for most of the year would have been able to feel no impact to their season?
WFO says:
Jun 26, 2012
Having only one “serviceable” (and I use that term loosely in some cases) player at key positions shows a lack of depth from poor recruiting by the coaching staff.
When said injured “serviceable” player is also a walk on I’d say it’s complete recruiting fail.
Tagup says:
Jun 26, 2012
While I won’t argue the merits of the recruiting because I somewhat agree, but looking at the OL, almost every players was dinged at some time or another during the season and our most highly recruited lineman (Phillip) didn’t play at all. Like I said, not many teams have the depth to replace 17 key players….throw in a freshman QB to start and poof the coaches are mutts!
pfbeaver says:
Jun 25, 2012
Random thought off the top of my head…
I’m expecting a five win year this year. I do not think that’s enough to get the program turned. I think Riley is the right guy to get the program turned around again, and I’m glad there’s pressure on him. Coaches without pressure get too comfortable. I think we should keep him. He’ll get us to bowls more often than not. He might even take us to the Rose Bowl. Maybe. Eventually.. Perhaps… I think the staff just let up on recruiting when they started doing well, and I hope that they’ve learned from that mistake. We need to recruit harder after a winning season, to capitalize on the success we have. Otherwise we end up where we are now. 3/12
BeaverDon says:
Jun 25, 2012
What pressure is there on Riley? BDC does not want to buy him out. Don’t you think Riley knows that? He is not making any changes in his staff. So where do you see any indication that he feels any pressure?
Beavs Believe says:
Jun 25, 2012
He has made a change in his staff 2 years in a row now. IMO opinion, improved it in both cases.
fahlgren says:
Jun 26, 2012
A coach left this year, he changed due to necessity, not quite the same thing.
Pos0x45 says:
Jun 26, 2012
He has replaced a longtime friend and linebackers coach as well as a trainer. These changes were made to address a serious decline in linebacker play and the unusually high number of injuries. Losing KH was tough, but he has found someone who should be an excellent coach. Hope he can recruit. So yes, in the last two years he has made changes to his staff other than replacing someone who left.
fahlgren says:
Jun 26, 2012
Pos, I know, but my point is only regarding last year. Thanks
Jack says:
Jun 26, 2012
On the seat hot riley is not. Lose every game for the next four years, he can, and still be the best coach we could ever hope to get, he will.
bone says:
Jun 26, 2012
A whole lot of pressure on Riley this season, on the surface there might not appear to that way, but I sure the coaches and players are feeling it. Can’t have another season like the last one, I would hope that the coordinators go first.
Chucky says:
Jun 26, 2012
I think the issues lie with his staff. Loyalty is to be admired, but when it’s loyalty to the detriment of the team, that’s a problem. I think he should’ve sent Langsdorf off this year. They just burned through two of the most electric athletes OSU Football has ever had, in the Rodgers brothers, with little to show for it. QB’s get shots in the NFL and seem to be serviceable (Derek Anderson, Mike Moore, even Sean Canfield), but do not look very good in Beaver orange for some reason. I think the offense is a major concern.
There was talent there, it wasn’t utilized. Assuming the offense improves (surely it can’t get worse with Langsdorf gone) then you start looking at Banker. If Riley refuses to cut Langsdorf or Banker loose despite major issues on both sides of the ball, then as the team “manager” and head coach, his poor evaluation of talent and what’s best for the team should mean he is looking for work elsewhere. It’s the business of things. He’s a great guy, but he needs to be a great coach too. It’s been awhile since he looked like a great coach.
trubes88 says:
Aug 10, 2012
I agree with Loyalty to the detriment of the team is right. My problem or thought is by looking at Oregon. Belloti saw the team stalling and instead of keeping on everyone, he looked for new coordinators, with new ideas and eventually got chip Kelly. Who knows if Riley would do that maybe we could uncover some guy from a d3 school capable of doing great things. Riley wants to keep everything the same, and how I see it, unless you are at ‘Bama or somewhere that can recruit pretty much pro ready players, you need to keep evolving.
rejectmediocrity says:
Jun 26, 2012
Well, one can see clearly why we have the lowest number of recruits by far to date in the Pac 12 (one 2-star). What good young player wants to come here knowing that the coach that recruited him is on the “hot seat”, has a program that is fast going into the toilet, and conceivably won’t be here after this year. And as far as Rick is concerned, Rick, you are a misguided fan if you blindly support Riley and his gang at all costs, even if it means badly damaging the fan base. You are one of the diminishing few fans, thank goodness, that are willing to settle for mediocrity, or even worse.
Tagup says:
Jun 26, 2012
Or maybe the recruits see a very young team and that playing time might have to wait for a couple years…?
Pos0x45 says:
Jun 26, 2012
Yeah, OSU is stacked with young players so they are recruiting with the disadvantage of having to tell kids that they likely won’t see any playing time for at least a couple years. Not saying it’s the only reason, but it definitely has an impact.
Jerry2005 says:
Jun 27, 2012
If the only thing the coaches have to sell is “playing time” then we are in real trouble.
Every school has returning starters, a small percentage of kids right out of high school are ready to step right in and contribute anyhow. Every other school in the country has to recruit around current players.
That’s a poor excuse for poor recruiting. I’m glad that’s just on the boards and not coming from our coaches…
Tagup says:
Jun 27, 2012
Shouldn’t you wait until the letters come in to call out coaches for “poor” recruiting?….Getting them signed is the goal, it’s not the first verbal wins….
Rick says:
Jun 26, 2012
I think we can safely assume that Riley is on the hot seat this year after two subpar seasons. However, I think that ANY improvement this year will delay his exit for at least one more year. That being said, I think this will be a .500 season for the Beavs, if not a little better. And the following year should be better yet. Barring injuries or naked linemen taking out Corvallis police, the immediate future looks bright.
John says:
Jun 26, 2012
The 07 & 08 recuiting classes were a disaster. The results of that didn’t show up for a few years and we suffered with lack of quality veterans the past two years. Then injuries magnified the problem. But recruiting changes were made and the 09-11 classes were much improved. Things like adding a full time recruiting coordinator. The first of these improved classes are now Jr’s & Sr’s. MR has a history of better than expected results. A far bigger number of Jr Sr contributors will lead us to 7+ wins 2012.
Jarred says:
Jun 26, 2012
I think that a majority of the people posting comments here have memories like goldfish. We have recapped in previous articles what happened with the recruiting a few years ago. We had a lot of guys that didn’t pan out due to injuries, off the field issues, etc. It impacts the team for up to 5 years given that some of the players would have red shirted and then played 4 years in some capacity. We are now approaching the tail end of the impact of the recruiting in 07-09.
Riley as a coach is pretty solid. I am actually a fan of the staff changes that were made over the last two years. I can understand people’s frustration. You can call me crazy, but I think that OSU can win up to 7 this year if Mannion or Vaz play solid and assuming that we can actually get the run game reinstated. The only critique I have of Riley and staff is that they need to increase the tempo of practice to ensure that they start fast this year. The last couple of years it seems that the team is extremely winded and can’t keep up in the first few games.
fahlgren says:
Jun 26, 2012
You are right about the slow starts, but instead of the last two years it has been every year Riley has coached the team. It’s a problem that is magnified by playing some of the toughest non-conference schedules. This year looks to be more of the same, but I guess you have to break the streak at some point.
TimmyTrojan says:
Jun 26, 2012
Uhh… Remember when Riley was being mentioned to replace Pete Carroll at USC after his departure? speaks volumes for the quality of coach he is. Riley does a hell of a job with the talent he is given at OSU.
So.Or.Aaron says:
Jun 26, 2012
The talent “he is given”? Hmmm…..
dunerats says:
Jun 26, 2012
First of all Riley and staff deserve criticism for the last couple of years. They are the only ones responsible and they have earned it. This excuse about all these young players keeping Recruits away is Hogwash. Its not like these young players are 4 or 5 star athletes. Cause who knows how most of these will pan out. Remember Riley saying how good the 07,08,and 09 classes were. At this point they might as well spend there efforts trying for some higher caliber recruits.It may cost them a few certain recruits like it did Bellotti in 02 and 03 but boy did it ever payoff later.
Tagup says:
Jun 27, 2012
How is it hogwash?….you don’t believe recruits are looking for situations where they could play early?….The stale schemes or rating site class rankings argument doesn’t hold water for me. I will agree that a tradition of winning is an important factor for name recognition but I also think each kid has his own triggers for making his decision and early playing time is one of them.
OSUSupporter says:
Jun 27, 2012
The fact that an objective viewer says Riley SHOULD be on the hot seat but in reality is not because of his contract (thanks to an incompetent BDC) says a lot about our program. It says we are out of touch with reality and we are stuck in a bad position we created on our own. We always hear Riley is the best we can get and gee whiz, isn’t he a nice guy and aren’t we lucky he wants to be in Corvallis. Loser talk. See what WSU did when they got a savvy AD in Bill Moos and hired a splasy HC in Leach. We could have had him here but instead we get a fan base that will accept 4 straight years of declining wins and a program that gets no respect from any recruit or team.
If you think that program in Eugene is just about money then you are naive and stupid. They embraced Nike and took chances with marketing and it worked better than anyone would have imagined. Our AD wants to market our “game day experience” with players running through a comical inflatable structure. We can either always be “little brother” or make bold changes to catch up. Unfortunately BDC and Riley are old time relics and unless they act bold and step down we are doomed to continue our mediocracy.
So.Or.Aaron says:
Jun 27, 2012
Lots of truth there my brother…. Indeed.
Pos0x45 says:
Jun 27, 2012
OSUSupporter, let me fix one of your comment lines:
“If you think that program in Eugene is not mostly about money then you are naive and stupid.”
There, fixed.
Tagup says:
Jun 27, 2012
Well, before you anoint Leach as the second coming of Vince Lombardi you might let him get a season under his belt……I think the jury is still out on him.
As far as Nike U goes, it IS about the money pure and simple. They market well I grant you, but they buy facilities, they buy players and throw dollars at everything. If you think they are playing by the same ground rules as everyone else then it is you that is naive….Exibit A at Uof O…baseball. Buy a coach, buy a stadium, maybe invest a few dollars in the selection committee…..bingo a yellow brick road to Omaha..and even then they couldn’t get it done. Oregon athletics (other than track), have bought success not earned it.
fahlgren says:
Jun 27, 2012
Money helps you get somewhere faster, but it’s not all there is. Just ask Notre Dame.
Tagup says:
Jun 27, 2012
What a joke…Notre Dame gets to be involved in the Championship discussion and they don’t even play in a BCS conference…The make up their own schedule then expect consideration…..I would exclude them…If they want to play in a BCS playoff they should join a conference like everyone else. and yes money helps.
fahlgren says:
Jun 27, 2012
Agreed
OSUSupporter says:
Jun 27, 2012
Ok maybe money does help because if we had more we would get rid of Riley and get some new blood in here who would shake things up and create excitement for our program. I doubt WSU has big donors but they do have big dreams and went out and hired a coach who has brought optimism and a fun brand of football that I understand has their faithful frothing with anticipation. I long for that type of hype and spirit for a season here in Beaver Nation.
Tagup says:
Jun 28, 2012
Be careful what you wish for….ask an Arizona fan!
Pos0x45 says:
Jun 28, 2012
Get rid of Riley and go back to 28 straight years of losing seasons? Ummm…. no. Bad idea. Riley is a great coach, too bad you can’t see that. Maybe you will after this upcoming season.
Chucky says:
Jun 28, 2012
There was a guy named Erickson that did alright after Riley left, if memory serves me right.
Tagup says:
Jun 28, 2012
Right, so his ASU experience is what you want in Corvallis? Erickson left just in time…..
Pos0x45 says:
Jun 28, 2012
And DE’s Fiesta bowl victory was with mostly MR recruits.
Pos0x45 says:
Jun 28, 2012
(my prediction, laugh all you want)
Beavers will win 8 games this season:
Nicholls State (there will be no repeat of the Sac State debacle)
UCLA (new coach, new system)
Arizona (new coach and system – Rich Rod also noted that the players took the winter off after Stoops was fired. They are behind every other team in the Pac in strength and conditioning.)
Arizona State (new coach, new system, lack of talent)
Washington State (new coach, new system, no defense)
Cal (Cal plays poorly against OSU and they are in Corvallis this year. Besides, Tedford is the master of underachievement)
At least one upset of (Wisconsin, Utah, Washington, Stanford, BYU) (just a guess, OSU will be much improved this year)
And… The civil war (Duck fans will be talking about how it all comes down to luck).
This team has more overall talent this year than the team that almost beat UO at Autzen three years ago and this year they play at Reser. (they won’t have Paea and the Rodgers brothers, but they are improved in all other areas (except maybe punter – this remains to be seen).
Offense – this will be Mannion’s second year and he did better his first year than guys like Canfield, Moore, Anderson, Smith… Did this with a lousy O-line and no running game. And this year’s group of receivers is second to only USC.
If the O-line does not improve, then these predictions will not come true. But I think they will be much better (won’t be difficult to be much better than last year)
Also, the running game will need to improve, but again, I think this is mostly a function of the O-line as The Beavers have a good stable of talent at RB.
On defense, the line play will be huge. DE’s are outstanding and they are young. The big question is can the tackles plug up the interior against the run. Mike Riley believes he is set at DT and he knows more about it than I do (and anyone else trying to post advise here) We shall see but I am optimistic.
Linebackers are faster than they have been in a several years and will be better prepared to close the gaps on offensives of the type UO runs.
And, the secondary is great. This is a better secondary than the Beavers have had in several years.
Beavers will win at least eight games this year including the Civil War.
71Beav says:
Jun 30, 2012
Unless we have a Good Samaritan multi-millionaire come to the rescue to buy out Riley’s contract, he will coach through 2019. The guy that really needs to go is DeCarolis – dumb decisions right and left re: contract extensions (Riley’s), hires (LaVonda Wagner – and her forced resignation and contract buy-out vs a don’t let the door hit you in the behind firing) etc. His lack of creative vision with respect to marketing is also glaring – nothing to speak of done with the Rogers brothers – and when Pat Casey won two nat’l titles – just one celebration and a turn down of the then Portland Beavers for a dual “Beaver” celebration at PGE Park. I Hope that Casey becomes his replacement – a proven fundraiser and aggressive, competitive guy who wouldn’t settle for 3rd tier bowl games now and then interspersed with losing seasons from the football program. Dr. Ray needs to step up and right the ship.