Dear Mike Riley, nice job

By: Nick Lilja

Posted: 8/8/07

Props to Mike Riley because today I am very proud of our football coach. And yes, I am serious. There is no sarcasm here. With the help of friends and family, I think I might finally be coming around. I'm becoming a Riley fan.

And this week, Riley took a big jump up in my book.

Sure, a 10-win season is great, a Sun Bowl win was awesome and his hip-hip-hoorays are way more fun than "hit on three… one-two-three, hit," but I am more impressed with his decision-making off the field.

Recently, Riley came to the decision that all coaches must face, eventually, to cut or not to cut. It's never a situation any coach wants to be involved with - at any level. Especially when the circumstances involve a confrontation with the law.

'Cause then a coach is fighting two fronts. The coach wants the player to make an impact on the field, but the player can't see past the edge of his. The coach's personal beliefs that every player he recruits and coaches has the ability to be a positive contributor to society and the fact that the law says otherwise.

It's a balancing act when coming to a decision. It's not always a cut and dry decision.

Riley, much like an emo kid, chose to cut this time. In doing so, he gained a lot of respect and laid down the law for the rest of the team that a "violation of team rules," regardless of the magnitude or conviction, will not be permitted. This could go a long way in keeping this team on point as they begin the 2007 - 2008 season.

The player he chose to cut is second-string cornerback and kick returner, Coye Francies. The senior was caught in June in Multnomah County on charges of possessing a loaded firearm. While the charges were dismissed on July 2, Riley still chose to cut him from the team.

Paul Buker of the Oregonian, quoted Riley as saying, "I will say the event surprised me," he said. "It was one we couldn't turn back from. There was only one solution to it."

It was the right decision. He showed that he is a true leader, commands the attention of his players and expects discipline out of his football team. He cut Francies, even though the charges were dropped. Riley wouldn't expand on why Francies was cut, but it's not rocket science.

Even Helen Keller could see that Francies is no longer with the team because there was a risk of distraction. The Beavers are starting this season and a coaching staff and team needs to trust that players aren't going to jeopardize the team or the team goals for their own personal benefit.

While wielding a loaded gun has no real benefits to someone living in Corvallis, Oregon, the fact remains that Francies showed that he was willing to breech that trust by being arrested in the first place.

Teams with players that put themselves in front of the team struggle to keep discipline down the stretch because players think there will be no consequences for their actions. This is what led to the bad-boys of the Erickson era. Thankfully, Riley has some cahones.

In recent years, athletes at every level have turned into celebrities. They feel an entitlement to a "free pass" for run-ins with the law. Most times they think they can scoot by and not follow the rules that the rest of the American citizens follow. Riley bucked that trend.

That is why Riley has won gobs of points in my book. So props to you Mike Riley. You took a stand where other coaches might not. You took a risk knowing the consequences of that risk. You understand that a player can be replaced quickly but the reputation of a team cannot. You deserve a high-five from every person wearing orange and black.

Riley cut Francies because it was the right thing to do. That "right thing" is something that is thoroughly lacking in sports these days. That is why today, I am a Riley fan.