Oregon State head coach Mike Riley willset foot onto the turf in Tiger Stadium Saturday for the first timein 31 years.
    The last time, Riley was a cornerbackfor legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant’s 1973 Alabama squad.
    ”It was a tremendous thrill,” Rileysaid. “We had a real good team and so did they. The stadium waselectric with the tiger and the fans. [They were] throwing orangesdown at us because we were vying for the Orange Bowl thatyear.”
    Since that first visit to Tiger Stadium,Riley has had a colorful coaching career, including head coachingjobs in three different professional leagues.
    A long-time assistant at LinfieldCollege, Riley got his first head coaching job in the CanadianFootball League. The youngest coach in CFL history, Riley led theWinnipeg Blue Bombers to Grey Cup titles in 1988 and 1990.
    Following the 1990 Grey Cup, Riley spenttwo seasons as the head coach of the San Antonio Riders in theWorld League.
    After the league ended its NorthAmerican operations following the 1992 season, Riley spent fouryears as the offensive coordinator at USC before being joiningOregon State in 1997.
    Riley went 3-8 his first season with theBeavers, but posted a 5-6 mark in 1998, the best record for OregonState in 27 years. The NFL noticed of the success and the San DiegoChargers made Riley their coach in 1999.
    Riley went 8-8 his first season with theChargers, but then fell on hard times posting a 6-26 record in hisfinal two seasons. After serving as the assistant head coach forthe New Orleans Saints in 2002, Riley returned to Oregon State fora second stint as head coach of the Beavers.
    ”He’s perfect for here,” said seniorquarterback Derek Anderson. “He knows how the community works andit’s a perfect fit for him. Coach is just an average guy coachingfootball. He’s just here and loves what he’s doing.”
    The Oregon State players said they feelhis range of coaching experience is an asset to the team.
    ”Any time you have a coach who has beenaround the game as long as Coach has, you have to feel confident inhis ability,” said junior wide receiver Mike Hass.
    Riley went 8-5 in 2003 in his firstseason back in the college ranks. The Beavers also earned a victoryin the Las Vegas Bowl with a 45-14 win over New Mexico.
    Senior cornerback Aric Williams saidafter one season Riley has earned the players’ respect.
    ”He knows what he’s talking about,”Williams said. “I listen to him and take into account everything hesays. It’s all about respect. He respects us and we respecthim.”
    For his part, Riley is excited to openthe season against LSU.
    ”I think the hype has been outstanding,”Riley said. “I think it’s time for the program to step intosomething like this.”
    Riley did acknowledge there is some riskin facing the defending national champion in the opener.
    ”I suppose there is, but what exactly isit?” Riley said. “If we’re going to be a good football team and goto a bowl we have to grow.”