While the eyes of the college football universe were fixed on the Florida Gators and Michigan Wolverines coaching searches, the Nebraska Cornhuskers quietly went out a landed a bombshell hire of their own.
Nebraska apparently felt no need to conduct any lengthy or patient coaching search. Just days after the program fired seven-year head coach Bo Pelini, they announced that they were bringing aboard Oregon State's Mike Riley, with a single tweet.
#Huskers, help us welcome Coach Mike Riley to the Big Red family! #GBR
— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) December 4, 2014
The Cornhuskers' job had been vacant for so little time, not even an initial round of speculation had even begun with regard to potential candidates.
Even so, the Riley pick comes across as a major stunner. Riley is a lifelong Oregon resident who had been with the Beavers for 14 years (save only a three-year sabbatical as head coach of the San Diego Chargers). He totaled a 93-80 record and 9 bowl appearances in his time in Corvallis.
"It is truly an honor to join the University of Nebraska family," Riley said in a statement obtained by USA Today. "Though we love Corvallis and Oregon State, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to coach at one of the nation's most storied football programs, and I can't wait to get started."
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