Before people get too worked up on the theoretical concept that we passed on Riley to hire Napier, remember there’s a big difference between showing interest and hiring a coach. Riley probably showed interest in LSU‘s job as well.
How would everybody feel had we entered a dance with Riley only to be left at the dance like LSU was when Riley went home with Southern Cal?
You have to applaud Stricklin, in my opinion, for not getting involved too deeply in this dance but settling on a very strong coach and going out and signing him and getting him while other schools got caught up in the feeding frenzy.
Most people would pass on Brian Kelly but what would’ve happened had we gone after Riley and been left at the altar for Southern Cal like LSU was and ended up having to settle on Kelly or worse
Just another way to look at it. I’m convinced we got the best up-and-coming hot young coach on the market by being smart.
How would everybody feel had we entered a dance with Riley only to be left at the dance like LSU was when Riley went home with Southern Cal?
You have to applaud Stricklin, in my opinion, for not getting involved too deeply in this dance but settling on a very strong coach and going out and signing him and getting him while other schools got caught up in the feeding frenzy.
Most people would pass on Brian Kelly but what would’ve happened had we gone after Riley and been left at the altar for Southern Cal like LSU was and ended up having to settle on Kelly or worse
Just another way to look at it. I’m convinced we got the best up-and-coming hot young coach on the market by being smart.
Last edited: