Things are not going well for the Nebraska Cornhuskers in year one of the Mike Riley era. Riley may be the nicest college football coach in the country, but his Huskers are on the brink of being ineligible for postseason play. After hitting a ceiling of nine wins under Bo Pelini, Nebraska has now come close to falling through the floor under Riley. With this most recent loss against Purdue, Nebraska Athletics Director Shawn Eichorst felt the time was now to put out a public statement showing support for Riley and his coaching staff. he did that today.
“While many are understandably disappointed in the current record of the football team and the heartbreakingly close loses we have suffered, I am confident the future is bright because I see it in the eyes of our players, coaches and staff and I am impressed by what I know is going on behind the scenes,” Eichorst said. “Coach Riley has a vision and a plan and is committed to providing the Husker faithful with a sustained winner which will compete annually for championships.”
It may be fair to point out Pelini coached Nebraska to multiple appearances in the Big 12 championship game and one more in the Big Ten championship game after switching conferences. Despite some level of success under Pelini, his temper and demeanor led to his dismissal as head coach and Nebraska went 180 degrees the opposite way with Riley. So far the results have not been there on the field, although Nebraska may be the best 3-6 team in college football. Nebraska has lost six games by a combined 23 points. The widest margin of defeat was 10, by Purdue over the weekend.