[cooper barrett]

FIRED AFTER WORST SEASON SINCE 1961

Spoiler!

After the Cornhuskers were blown out by Iowa 56-14.

Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos made the announcement in a statement Saturday.

The Huskers (4-8, 3-6) lost four in a row to end the season, finished with their fewest wins since 1961 and lost five home games for the first time since 1957.

Nebraska gave up 50 points in three consecutive games to end the season and four times in all — both firsts in the program’s 128-year history.

“Mike Riley has brought tremendous professionalism and energy to the Nebraska football program, but unfortunately, those attributes have not translated to on-field success,” Moos said in a statement. “After a thorough review of all aspects of our football program, I have chosen to move in a different direction.”


Twitter
@ByBerkowitz
Nebraska — which is still paying Bo Pelini about $1.5M per yr — now will owe combined total of up to $8.3M to fired FB coach Mike Riley, AD Shawn Eichorst.
11:33 AM - Nov 25, 2017
15 15 Replies 97 97 Retweets 97 97 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Riley, who will be owed just more than $6.6 million in his buyout, is 19-19 in three seasons, with last year’s loss at Iowa starting a 10-losses-in-14-games slide. The Huskers have dropped 12 of 18 since opening last season 7-0 and ranked No. 7.

Riley is 112-99 in 17 seasons overall as a college head coach.

Nebraska is expected to pursue former Cornhuskers QB Scott Frost, who has led Central Florida to an 11-0 record and a spot in the American Athletic Conference championship game.

There will be stiff competition for Frost, however, including Florida.

“I expect to find a leader for our football program that will put our student-athletes in a position to compete for championships and grow as young men. I am confident our next coach will meet that standard.” Moos said.

He was considered a surprise hire when former athletic director Shawn Eichorst brought him in from Oregon State. Known as the “nicest guy in college football,” Riley was the antithesis of the coach he replaced, the volatile Bo Pelini.