Transcript from Eichorst announcing Riley as head coach

 POSTED BY:  KLKN Newsroom
8@klkntv.com

Opening Statement
“Thank you all for coming out today as we usher in a new era of Nebraska football. As I stated just five days ago, I have high standards and expectations for all of our athletic programs. I want us to compete for Big Ten Championships and National Championships. But those pursuits are meaningless unless we do it the right way: with class, sportsmanship and integrity.

We will win with young men and women who want to earn their degrees and who will represent us the Nebraska way. Nebraska is a special place. Our passionate students, administrators, facility, our successful alumni, our fans, our generous supporters, and our fellow Nebraskans deserve the best. Our student-athletes are at the core of everything we do, and we are blessed to have some of the nation’s finest coaches teaching our student-athletes.

Today, we add another outstanding coach and teacher to this great university. Mike Riley is a tremendous football coach, a man of high character and virtue, a wonderful husband and father, and the son of a football coach. Mike played for coach Bear Bryant at Alabama. During his time they won three Southeastern Conference titles and a national championship, before embarking upon a coaching career that has spanned almost four decades. As an assistant coach and as a head coach, both at the collegiate and professional level, his teams played sound physical football, and Mike has a track record of evaluating and developing talent.

Speaking to knowledgeable football people around the country, Mike is held in high regard for his football intelligence on both sides of the ball, for his approach in teaching the game, for his ability to get the most out of his student-athletes. He is a great recruiter, a great motivator, and I am confident his staff will only complement his exceptional abilities.

Simply, we will win with Mike, but more importantly our student-athletes will have an amazing experience under his leadership. Mike has had many opportunities to leave Corvallis for other destinations, but chose to stay in his adopted hometown and build a solid and respected winner. It would take a special place and a perfect fit for him to move, and we are fortunate that he found that in Nebraska.

We welcome Mike, and his wife Dee. His daughter Kate and grandson Eli, who are tired and sleeping at the Eichorst house. His wonderful son, Matt, and daughter-in-law, Lydia, are in Austin, Texas. Matt works at the University of Texas. We have to get him turned around. There will be many opportunities for Nebraskans to meet Mike in the coming months, and I hope you will all take the time to get to know him. This is a special man. It is my great pleasure to introduce to you, Nebraska football coach Mike Riley.”

After Coach Riley spoke and answered questions, Eichorst returned to the podium to answer questions.

On how hire unfolded
“Hopefully it was a surprise hire because it was a pretty quiet and fast search. One of the things I have said since I’ve been here is to look, listen and learn. That not only applies to Nebraska, but that applies to every place I’ve been. My job on a day-to-day basis is to put this University in a good position to be successful on all levels. Mike’s been on my radar for probably 10 years. When I was down in (South) Carolina, when we had a coaching change, Mike came on the radar mainly because he’s a great football coach. He’s an elite coach. He’s a teacher. He has unique skills and abilities relative to the fact that he’s coordinated on both sides of the ball and you’ve heard what he thinks about special teams. The process went pretty quickly for me. I talked with him Monday night. After meeting with the team, I took a deep breath and I don’t think I have slept since then. This is Mike’s characteristics and things I want in a coach. I wasn’t looking for people, I was just looking for qualities in people. It’s a tough business to move top elite coaches from power five conferences. By Monday morning, I was fixed on Mike. I reached out with him to see if he’d be interested in the job. He was. At that point, I recruited my tail off like I’ve never done before. I was focused. I was locked in. I knew what I wanted. It just so happened that Harvey (Perlman) was in San Francisco. I asked Mike where he was, he said he was recruiting in San Francisco. So I said this might be meant to be. I got ahold of Harvey and asked if he’d spend some time with Mike and he said yes. We had a great visit on Tuesday. Mike left the room and I looked at Harvey and said ‘I think this is our guy.’ He said yes. I called Mike back and we talked about whether he’d be a good fit. By Wednesday night we had a ball coach.”

On concern about Riley’s record
“I have zero concern about that. It’s not always about the outcome, it’s about people. We have an elite football coach who now has an incredible history behind him, incredible resources, a passionate fan base. I know there is uncertainty in our fan base, but we have a good football coach, and I think folks should be ready and excited to unite and take this program to where it should be. I’m looking for a person who I want to work with our young people. We’re going to have success. I know that and you can hear it in Mike’s voice. He is a football coach. He’s not defined by that, but that’s who he is. He’s a teacher and he puts himself and others around him in a position to be successful. I think you have to look at some of those big games he’s had where he’s been and some of the things he’s been able to do and it’s been quite remarkable.”

On impact of seeing a coach with big wins
“This certainly was a factor in what I was looking for. Beating the No. 6 Arizona State team this year. I thought that was an incredible achievement with his ball club. It’s not all about how many losses and how many wins, it’s not about the attractive record. I’ve got a good person and an exceptional football coach.”

On importance of hiring a coach with head coaching experience
“I was looking at the big picture, not really thinking too much about that although I think at a place like Nebraska, with all this great history and tradition, experience matters.”

On knowing he was ready for the challenge
“He’s going to be coaching for a long time. This is what he does. He’s not looking to retire. He’s going to be coaching for as long as he can. When we were talking, I could sense in his voice what a great opportunity for me to come to a great place like Nebraska and work with the quality of young people. I could just sense excitement and inspiration. Mike and I go about our business somewhat similar. Don’t for a second think that we’re not competitive. This guy right here is as competitive as any guy I’ve talked to and nobody wants to win more than we do but there’s a way you go about doing that.”