Life of Riley
I don't know if Beaver fans are back on the Mike Riley bandwagon or not after the big win at Washington. All I know is that Oregon State fans need to be realistic about who and what they are. This isn't a program that has the money or the reputation to bring in a big name coach. Butch Davis isn't calling Bob DeCarolis if Riley is ever let go.
Riley has 3 years and 2.7 million dollars left on his contract. Do you honestly think OSU has the money to buy Riley out and then pay a million bucks for a coach, because that is what it would take to bring in someone of stature.
Are 28 point losses acceptable against Boise State and Cal in the first month of the season ?
Absolutely not.
But you can't judge a movie during the first half hour. Let's see what happens the rest of the season.
If the Beavers win at Arizona and then stun the Trojans. What then ? Do Beaver fans eat crow for Thanksgiving Dinner ?
I know the stats with Riley. I've seen some realy ugly losses (see Cal this year and 2 years ago and also Louisville last year).
But remember when Ducks fans were calling for Bellotti's head after Oregon lost to Wake Forest in the Seattle Bowl ?
Do you really think they want anyone else roaming their sidelines now ?
Look what has happened to Dan Hawkins. C'mon Beaver fans you remember him. Alot of you wanted Hawkins instead of Riley. I've been told that Hawkins demanded the world when OSU contacted him.
He is now 1-6 at Colorado.
Let's see how this season plays out before we judge Riley. Our society is so into "instant gratification and instant results" we forget that good things come to those who wait. So let's wait before we rush to judgement.
Your comments are always welcome.
Ron
RPivo@kgw.com
Comments
Ron,
First of all, I'm a Riley supporter. I've been frustrated at times but I can recall embarrassing beatings taken by all Pac 10 teams at one time or another.
Where I take issue with you is the negative slant you and others often associate with OSU Football. During your newscast you essentially tell the viewer that, "no offense but, but you couldn't do any better," in regards to a possible new coach. Anyone with half a brain knows that Pete Carroll isn't coming to Corvallis, but to insinuate that a very good coach couldn't be hired is bunk. Do you really know that Beaver boosters/donors wouldn't help with a buyout or do you just assume that?
Perhaps you should ask yourself whether or not you've ever made a commentary on OSU footbal without some sort of derogatory caveat. You know the type; "They do play in Corvallis," or "It's so hard to recruit there" or "They simply don't have the money." Seriously, can you ever just compliment the team or the effort without some sort of qualifying statement?
On a slightly different note, you are spot on in calling out the folks who are freaking out about Riley. I think UofA, UW, ASU and Stanford all have bigger head coaching question marks and there is a lot of football to be played.
No matter how the season plays out I believe Bob DeCarolis will make the right move for the program and the athletic department.
Thanks,
Martin McKnight, Beaverton
PS- If you didn't run the best sports dept. in the PDX market I wouldn't have heard you in the first place.
Posted by: Martin McKnight | October 16, 2006 7:35 PM
I don't think beaver fans are judging Riley based on the first 6 games of the season. We do remember last year's 5&6 record, and the year before that 7&5. 15 & 14 over the last 2 and 1/2 years. It's mediocrity.
Posted by: Beaver Fan | October 17, 2006 10:49 AM