Mike Riley is out. Saturday's announcement was not unexpected as the Huskers finished 4-8 this season. Riley spent three years at the helm in Lincoln, and finishes his tenure at Nebraska with a 19-19 record.
Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Moos issued this statement Saturday morning.
“Mike Riley has brought tremendous professionalism and energy to the Nebraska football program, but unfortunately, those attributes have not translated to on-field success. After a thorough review of all aspects of our football program, I have chosen to move in a different direction.”
Friday afternoon's devastating loss to Iowa was the final nail in the head coach's coffin, but after the game, he still hoped to keep his job. "I truly believe I'm exactly the right person to do this. The football parts, I've been doing it so long, we know how to fix, and we also are doing a good job recruiting."
With Riley's firing, the Huskers will look to hire their fifth coach since the legendary Tom Osborne retired in 1997. Rumors have been swirling around former NU standout Scott Frost, who is the current head coach at the University of Central Florida, but he is also being courted by other big schools such as Florida.
It is unclear at this point when a replacement will be appointed, but Moos says they will move quickly and deliberately. “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 has appointed Assistant Coach Trent Bray to serve as the interim head coach until a new coach can be hired.