By Tommy Rezac
Mike Riley had a lower winning percentage than Bill Callahan. In his last four games as head coach, Nebraska got outscored 197-103.
“Nobody wants to go 4-8,” Bill Moos said. “I want to get this program to where we’re disappointed if we go 8-4.”
For any program, 4-8 is disappointing. At Nebraska? Practically the kiss of death. The worst winning percentage since 1961 made Riley’s exit unavoidable.
Riley was classy, friendly, honest, genuine and transparent right from the moment he was hired on Dec. 5, 2014. So, the way he handled himself in his final press conference with the Nebraska media shouldn’t have surprised anyone.
Yet, everyone was astounded at how well Riley received and answered questions just hours after he learned of his termination.
“Can’t ask me any questions about the (Iowa) game,” Riley said. “I came in to watch the film and got interrupted.”
He surely had an idea of what could be coming. Why else would 20 plus media members (myself included) circle him like vultures over a carcass as he arrived at Memorial Stadium early Saturday morning?
“How are you guys?” he said with a smile. “I don’t have any news.”
That was shortly before 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Moos informed Riley of his decision about a half hour later.
“We talked for about 15-20 minutes,” Moos said. “It was no surprise to me that he took that very, very well. Incredibly wonderful human being and a very, very good football coach.”
No surprise to Moos, and no surprise to the media or fans. Yet, we were all left astounded at Riley’s class and manner shown in what was undoubtedly a tough situation for all involved.
“A lot of feelings and emotions for sure,” Riley said. “A lot of disappointment I suppose, but at the same time, I’m going to remain and believe in remaining thankful. This is an awesome place, Dee and I have enjoyed it a ton. I really, really am thankful for the people I work with. I’m thankful for the many people I’ve met in this state, in the travels through this state, lots of people now I would consider friends.”
To him, those friends included the people who covered him. The same media group that asked him questions about his thoughts on Scott Frost and the feeling of being unemployed.
He still wanted to shake their hands and thank them all at the end.
Mike Riley stayed and shook everyone’s hand after the news conference. First class. You’ll be missed coach. pic.twitter.com/9sKspITVlF
— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) November 25, 2017
He didn’t have to speak to the media after being terminated. Very few choose to do so. Why did he?
“I think probably because I wanted the message to be that we, as a group, me personally, appreciated this opportunity,” Riley said. “I wanted to represent (our team) one more time and basically give my message to them that I love them and appreciate all the support and work through the time that we’ve been here.”
Nobody will deny that Riley’s character and grace is exceedingly rare. It’s the kind of grace and attitude that make fans wish the game was about more than just wins and losses.
“Mike Riley has brought tremendous professionalism and energy to the Nebraska Football program, but unfortunately, those attributes have not translated to on the field success,” Moos said in the press release.
A caller on Big Red Replay told me this past Sunday that Riley’s final press conference was a “teaching tool” for his kids on how to handle tough situations.
“I would want my kids, or I would want myself, to use that as an example.”
Riley set many examples in his three years at Nebraska. How to deal with the tragic loss of a loved one after the passing of Sam Foltz. How to treat those who love and support you. How to treat those who despise you. How to keep your head up even in the darkest of times. How to represent yourself and those around you in a way that makes everyone proud.
“I’m certainly disappointed the football wasn’t better,” Riley said.
Riley knows 19-19 wasn’t enough. He gave it his all in an opportunity that was presented to him as his last, great adventure. It didn’t have the fairy tale ending everyone hoped for, but he was able to reunite a fan base left divided and confused after Bo Pelini’s profanity-laced tirade against the University in his final team meeting.
He repaired what many believed to have been a toxic “us against the world” culture left over from the Pelini era. He made Husker fans proud to be Husker fans again. That is, until the losses started stacking up.
“I remain confident that the pieces are in place, for the program to continue to grow,” Riley said. “What we didn’t show enough of in these changing times, this last year, was enough football to continue, and I understand that part of it.”
Pelini’s exit was met with little to no closure. Bill Callahan couldn’t have left any faster in 2007. With Riley, there are no loose ends. No confusion. No anger.
Rather, messages of good luck, best wishes, thank yous, and optimism for a bright future. There’s perhaps no one other than Mike Riley that can ignite such feelings of love, appreciation, and respect after coaching a program through its worst season in 56 years.
He left the way he came in; a wonderfully nice man who hovered around a .500 record in his head coaching career.
The manner in which he left, however, was quite different than that of his predecessor. Riley ended his time in Lincoln on Saturday by giving a final message of advice, and a great example of integrity and class, to whomever his successor might be.
“It’s a great place and people are behind you to try to help get it done,” Riley said. “I found a lot of support in that way. There’s just a lot, a lot of positives as you look at Nebraska and the opportunity to grow it back. I believe we’re on the right track in both the building of a program, the team and the recruitment, which are the necessary parts of getting Nebraska back.”
You can contact Tommy at 402-840-5226, or you can follow him on Twitter @Tommy_KLIN.
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