Sports Column

Riley wins by being himself

On Sports

By dwight jaynes

The Portland Tribune, Oct 31, 2006, Updated Oct 30, 2009

CORVALLIS —

It’s pretty obvious by now that Mike Riley’s biggest weakness also is his greatest strength. The man’s so darned nice you can’t help but like him. Even pull for him.

While whispering boosters, screaming fans and impatient sports columnists (me among them) were screaming for the Oregon State football coach to do something — anything — a few weeks ago to turn his season around, he slapped on his most charming smile and soldiered onward.

Riley doesn’t panic. He doesn’t stray from his plotted course. Most of all, he stands by his players, for better or worse.

It’s a difficult path to walk. The last time I had seen the Beavers, they chalked up just two field goals in an anemic offensive display that resulted in a loss to Washington State.

My goodness, switch quarterbacks. Throw the ball downfield. Establish a running game. Try a trick play. Do something!

Riley shrugged his shoulders and kept doing it his way, though. And it’s almost as if he’s turned a trip to the gallows into a vacation on Maui. Road wins at Washington and Arizona set up Saturday’s impressive upset of the Trojans, and suddenly OSU is on a roll.

1 | 2 Next Page >>

Facebook	Digg	Del.icio.us
Newsvine	Stumbleupon	Reddit