Riley update
 

Wednesday, February 19

Hawkins withdraws, Beavers reportedly to hire Riley

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Associated Press


CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Boise State's Dan Hawkins withdrew his name from consideration for the head coaching vacancy at Oregon State Wednesday amid reports that New Orleans Saints assistant Mike Riley would rejoin the Beavers.


Oregon State officials would not confirm several broadcast reports Wednesday night that athletic director Bob De Carolis was finalizing a deal with Riley.


However, an announcement regarding Oregon State's new head coach was expected either Thursday or Friday.


Hawkins announced that he was staying at Boise State on the school's web site on Wednesday. The Broncos coach had been contacted twice by Oregon State officials looking to replace Dennis Erickson, who left last week to coach the NFL's San Francisco 49ers.


``Upon final analysis, I feel too positive about the direction of Boise State and our football program. The growth and progress made in every area since I have arrived here has been tremendous,'' Hawkins said.


This past season, Hawkins led the Broncos to a 12-1 record and the Western Athletic Conference title to finish No. 15 in the nation.


Hawkins was considered to be one of the front-runners for the job, as was Riley. Hawaii coach June Jones withdrew his name from consideration over the weekend.


Riley, defensive backs coach for the Saints, went 8-14 as head coach at Oregon State in 1997 and 1998 before leaving to become head coach of the San Diego Chargers.


De Carolis has not spoken publicly about the search, but told players on Tuesday he interviewed seven candidates and planned to talk to an eighth.

Riley update
 

this just in, riley has been announced the new head football coach at Oregan State,

Riley update
 

Updated:

Saints assistant named Oregon State coach
Posted on February 20, 2003
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) - Four years after leaving Oregon State for the NFL, Mike Riley has rejoined the Beavers as head coach, a university spokesman said Wednesday night.

Riley, who spent last year as an assistant with the New Orleans Saints, will be introduced at press conference Thursday, said Steve Fenk, an assistant sports information director.

Riley, head coach of the San Diego Chargers from 1999-2001, replaces Dennis Erickson, who left Oregon State to become head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

The school said Riley contacted athletic director Bob De Carolis the day it was announced that Erickson was leaving.

Riley was among several candidates DeCarolis interviewed, including Boise State coach Dan Hawkins and Oregon State assistants Tim Lappano, Dan Cozetto and Gregg Smith.

The 49-year-old Riley grew up in Corvallis and attended Corvallis High School. He was 8-14 during his tenure with the Beavers, although his recruits found success under Erickson.

Riley left for San Diego. He was fired after going 14-34 in three seasons with the Chargers, and signed with the Saints as assistant head coach in charge of defensive backs.