On Friday the College Football Playoff committee announced that former Oregon State and Nebraska head coach Mike Riley would be joining the selection committee. According to the release, Riley will replace Pat Chun who was recently named athletic director at the University of Washington.
Riley is mostly known for his time in Corvallis, where he played high school football. Riley went on to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide under the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant. Following Riley’s playing career, he went into the coaching circuit as a graduate assistant with California.
Riley would eventually work his way up to assistant head coach and offensive coordinator with the USC Trojans before getting his first head coaching gig in college. His first stint as a head coach came in the CFL from 1987 to 1990 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
With the Beavers of Oregon State from 1997 to 1998 and 2003 to 2014, Riley amassed a record of 93-80 with a bowl record of 6-2. His Nebraska Cornhuskers stint lasted just three years before he was replaced by Scott Frost in 2018 after posting a record of 19-19.
“We are pleased to have Mike join the committee,” Hancock said. “He has significant experience as a player and coach, and he loves college football. He will bring a unique perspective to the committee. Plus, he is a delightful human being.”
Mike Riley will be assisting the CFP committee with ranking the top 25 teams starting in November. The top 12 teams based on the selection rules will be rewarded with an opportunity to play for the College Football Playoffs national championship.