S.D. Gives Riley 5-Year Deal

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 6, 1999 / 7:46 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

Oregon State's Mike Riley has agreed to terms of a five-year contract to coach the San Diego Chargers, The Associated Press learned Thursday.

Final details were being worked out, club sources said, and a news conference was scheduled for 5 p.m. ET at the Chargers' headquarters.

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Riley becomes the fourth coach in as many seasons for the Chargers, who were 5-11 in the recently completed season.

Riley spent most of Wednesday meeting with Chargers' assistant coaches, many of whom he will inherit. The club flew his wife and two children from Corvallis, Ore., and the family went to dinner with Chargers officials.

Riley didn't seem frustrated with the pace of the process. After all, he has to be comfortable with the coaches who would make up his staff.

General manager Bobby Beathard was insisting Riley retain defensive coordinator Joe Pascale and his staff, as well as offensive line coach Joe Bugel and running backs coach Ollie Wilson.

San Diego's defense was one of the few bright spots last season, ranking first in fewest yards allowed overall and against the run.

"Honestly, it isn't that simple because this is a little different situation, just because of coming in and not bringing all your own guys," Beathard said Wednesday. "He wants to make sure it's right."

Riley inherits a team that has had three consecutive non-winning seasons and doesn't have a first-round draft pick until 2001.

The Chargers like Riley's offensive background -- he was coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the pass-happy CFL from 1987-90, and offensive coordinator at Southern Cal from 1993 until taking the Oregon State job in December 1996.

Plus, they think he can develop quarterback Ryan Leaf, who was a bust on the field and a problem off it.

Beathard fired Kevin Gilbride n Oct. 13 after a 2-4 start, and interim coach June Jones took the vacant job at Hawaii.

Riley was 8-14 in two seasons at Oregon State, including 5-6 this year, the Beavers' best record since 1971. Oregon State, which hasn't had a winning season since 1970, lost by one point to Washington and California, played even with UCLA and beat Oregon in double overtime.