That's a fascinating move on many levels.
First of all, Riley.
He supposedly turned down several jobs one would think would be better than Nebraska in order to stay in Corvallis - notably U.-S.-C.. Now he decides he wants to go to a program in an area of the country he doesn't know and that just fired their coach whose worst year was 9 wins (three years with 9 wins, three years with 10 wins, 9 wins this year and the team (at least) has one game remaining).
So, what is going on?
My guess is that he has become quite annoyed with the carping in Corvallis - that Riley has lost it or cannot get them to "the next level". Possibly he is also worried about prospects at OSU and in the Pac 12. If the other programs have their act together, OSU is probably the second hardest place to recruit to in the Pac 12 and he may not feel good about the younger talent on hand. Nebraska is not quite a recruiting power house, but its better positioned versus its rivals.
For Nebraska, they are getting a 61 year old coach with a middling won-loss record from a far away part of the country. Given the circumstances at OSU, I think he has been very successful, but the circumstances will now be different. By personality, he does seem to be the anti-Pellini. He's very understated, rather proper with his language, and seems to be acknowledged as a nice guy. Nebraska doesn't seem to believe they need ground-up rebuilding - or I would think they would have gone with a younger, more fire-breathing type of guy.
For Oregon State, interesting to see how much they opt for high-profile for the next guy. Of course there is only so far high-profile they will be able to go, but they may have some resources due to new Pac 12 monies. Riley was reportedly making about $1.5 million a year ago. Somehow my instinct is that the less of a national name they hire, the better they guy will be in the long run.
First of all, Riley.
He supposedly turned down several jobs one would think would be better than Nebraska in order to stay in Corvallis - notably U.-S.-C.. Now he decides he wants to go to a program in an area of the country he doesn't know and that just fired their coach whose worst year was 9 wins (three years with 9 wins, three years with 10 wins, 9 wins this year and the team (at least) has one game remaining).
So, what is going on?
My guess is that he has become quite annoyed with the carping in Corvallis - that Riley has lost it or cannot get them to "the next level". Possibly he is also worried about prospects at OSU and in the Pac 12. If the other programs have their act together, OSU is probably the second hardest place to recruit to in the Pac 12 and he may not feel good about the younger talent on hand. Nebraska is not quite a recruiting power house, but its better positioned versus its rivals.
For Nebraska, they are getting a 61 year old coach with a middling won-loss record from a far away part of the country. Given the circumstances at OSU, I think he has been very successful, but the circumstances will now be different. By personality, he does seem to be the anti-Pellini. He's very understated, rather proper with his language, and seems to be acknowledged as a nice guy. Nebraska doesn't seem to believe they need ground-up rebuilding - or I would think they would have gone with a younger, more fire-breathing type of guy.
For Oregon State, interesting to see how much they opt for high-profile for the next guy. Of course there is only so far high-profile they will be able to go, but they may have some resources due to new Pac 12 monies. Riley was reportedly making about $1.5 million a year ago. Somehow my instinct is that the less of a national name they hire, the better they guy will be in the long run.