Another insightful and poignant moment in time Mr. Canzano. You truly have a flair for humanity, the nuanced authenticity you bring to the table is second to none.
During my time working in Portland, I had the occasion to meet Dee Andros on many occasions, including when Dee spoke at the grand opening of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame Museum when it opened in the Standard Insurance Center. (I was the OSHFM's first executive director). Same with Johnny Eggers and other fine folk in Corvallis. Still am friends with Jack Riley, who cut his teeth as coach of the Lower Columbia Red Devils (community college team in Longview, Washington, my hometown). I even came close at one point in my career to joining the SID staff at Oregon State. Always have a soft spot in my heart for the Beavers and the athletic staff there. Mike Riley is in the same category. Good guy. Unassuming. Salt of the earth. I often heard his dad, Bud, speak at Oregon Sportswriters and Sportscasters luncheons at the Mac Club. So sorry to hear of his wife's challenges but really glad to see Mike's back in football. We need more like him.
I was fortunate enough to meet him a few weeks ago in McMinnville. He was with Ad Rutschman and they were leaving a restaurant as I was going in to the restaurant. What a gracious person. I am sorry to hear about his wife's illness. I sympathize with his situation as my mother had dementia. Best wishes to Coach Riley and his family.
I’ve watched Mike with wife Dee at Corvallis Knights baseball game 2 seasons ago. He was kind and compassionate to her during the whole game. The family was in attendance as well. Mike held her hand and helped her with her hotdog. What a good example of a man and a Marriage! God Bless them both. Mike Riley I’m glad you took this position you have to fill your bucket!
Thank you, John, for providing us with an update on Dee, Mike and the family. My goodness!! How interesting it is to read the part where he picks up his wife and they go for a drive. I used to drive my mom around the Laurelhurst neighborhood. She would comment on the beautiful architecture.
The family is so very blessed to have each other to lean on!!
Another great human interest feature story John. I've never met Mike Riley but I've been a fan for a long time. He seems like one of the classiest coaches ever in football. In fact, he just doesn't seem to fit the stereotype of a big-time football coach. And to me that's a good thing. I'm glad he's back in college football with the CFP and hope for the best for him and his family.
I had the fortune to meet Mike Riley once at yogurt shop in Corvallis. He was just as sweet and friendly in person as he comes across in the media. I got to witness him interact with his then-young grandson for a moment.
Riley was so tender with the little guy. I remember him pointing out the water dispenser as their choice of beverage. "Water is the best and healthiest thing you can drink!"
Always teaching, always patient, always kind. The markings of a good coach, a good grandparent, and a good person in general.
Well played John. I was very happy to learn of Mike Riley's appointment to the committee. Nothing but quality in my estimation. Gotta love Mike Riley, kept himself real while working his whole life in the snake pit. Just sayin', Charlie
Mike will do a great job. I have known him - not as a close, personal friend, but on a professional and then social level for 25 years - and he's a wonderful human being.
Mike Riley is a very good coach. And he does it the right way, with the welfare of his kids at top of mind. I have not always agreed with his on-field philosophy. He did not build tough enough defenses for my taste. I am a defense-first fan and so appreciated Erickson's approach and now Bray, an Erickson protege', as well. But Mike is first and foremost one of us. He is Corvallis through and through. I knew his name in high school where he was the QB on the football team. Albany Union (became WAHS) and Corvallis high (before Crescent Valley came to be) were arch rivals in the 1960s and 70s. Mike is a couple years older than me, but in Albany, we knew all the top players at CHS. My mom is a CHS grad, I was born in Corvallis and we have a lot of family friends there. So, yes, he is one of us and will always be special.
Mike is a great pick for that position. He has been and is good for college football and OSU. The outside voices caused him to leave OSU and Gary Anderson was a terrible coach! Mike leaving OSU put them back 7 or 8 years before Smith got it going again. Oregon had a similar circumstance when some Portland boosters forced Jerry Fei out in 71 and hired Dick Enright. That move put the program back 10 years until Brooks got it going. Granted Mike had more success than Jerry, but Jerry only had 4 or 5 years to build a program that was on life support financially and administratively.
Another insightful and poignant moment in time Mr. Canzano. You truly have a flair for humanity, the nuanced authenticity you bring to the table is second to none.
Thanks Michael. It means a lot. Riley was such a good coach (and character) to cover.
His Dad, Bud, was a great guy, too!
There is that saying about the apple tree.
This is a wonderful and worthwhile project for Mike Riley. He deserves the recognition, he and his family deserve the recognition. Well done, coach!
Good point Steve. Thought it interesting that he checked with his children and friends before taking the gig.
Right John. From what I’ve known about Mike is the family comes first.
During my time working in Portland, I had the occasion to meet Dee Andros on many occasions, including when Dee spoke at the grand opening of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame Museum when it opened in the Standard Insurance Center. (I was the OSHFM's first executive director). Same with Johnny Eggers and other fine folk in Corvallis. Still am friends with Jack Riley, who cut his teeth as coach of the Lower Columbia Red Devils (community college team in Longview, Washington, my hometown). I even came close at one point in my career to joining the SID staff at Oregon State. Always have a soft spot in my heart for the Beavers and the athletic staff there. Mike Riley is in the same category. Good guy. Unassuming. Salt of the earth. I often heard his dad, Bud, speak at Oregon Sportswriters and Sportscasters luncheons at the Mac Club. So sorry to hear of his wife's challenges but really glad to see Mike's back in football. We need more like him.
Good article. The word that has always struck me about Mike Riley is......class.
I was fortunate enough to meet him a few weeks ago in McMinnville. He was with Ad Rutschman and they were leaving a restaurant as I was going in to the restaurant. What a gracious person. I am sorry to hear about his wife's illness. I sympathize with his situation as my mother had dementia. Best wishes to Coach Riley and his family.
I’ve watched Mike with wife Dee at Corvallis Knights baseball game 2 seasons ago. He was kind and compassionate to her during the whole game. The family was in attendance as well. Mike held her hand and helped her with her hotdog. What a good example of a man and a Marriage! God Bless them both. Mike Riley I’m glad you took this position you have to fill your bucket!
Thank you, John, for providing us with an update on Dee, Mike and the family. My goodness!! How interesting it is to read the part where he picks up his wife and they go for a drive. I used to drive my mom around the Laurelhurst neighborhood. She would comment on the beautiful architecture.
The family is so very blessed to have each other to lean on!!
Another great human interest feature story John. I've never met Mike Riley but I've been a fan for a long time. He seems like one of the classiest coaches ever in football. In fact, he just doesn't seem to fit the stereotype of a big-time football coach. And to me that's a good thing. I'm glad he's back in college football with the CFP and hope for the best for him and his family.
One of the smartest and personable people in CFB. It's a bonus he's a Beaver (Bud's kid/iykyk). Great replacement for Chun.
I had the fortune to meet Mike Riley once at yogurt shop in Corvallis. He was just as sweet and friendly in person as he comes across in the media. I got to witness him interact with his then-young grandson for a moment.
Riley was so tender with the little guy. I remember him pointing out the water dispenser as their choice of beverage. "Water is the best and healthiest thing you can drink!"
Always teaching, always patient, always kind. The markings of a good coach, a good grandparent, and a good person in general.
Well played John. I was very happy to learn of Mike Riley's appointment to the committee. Nothing but quality in my estimation. Gotta love Mike Riley, kept himself real while working his whole life in the snake pit. Just sayin', Charlie
Well spoken as always Charles
Thanks for your kind thought. Charlie
Great addition to the CFP committee! Glad Mr Riley chose to serve. Always well wishes for him and his family.
Thanks for this story, Mike epitomizes the Beaver Nation culture.
Mike will do a great job. I have known him - not as a close, personal friend, but on a professional and then social level for 25 years - and he's a wonderful human being.
Mike Riley is a very good coach. And he does it the right way, with the welfare of his kids at top of mind. I have not always agreed with his on-field philosophy. He did not build tough enough defenses for my taste. I am a defense-first fan and so appreciated Erickson's approach and now Bray, an Erickson protege', as well. But Mike is first and foremost one of us. He is Corvallis through and through. I knew his name in high school where he was the QB on the football team. Albany Union (became WAHS) and Corvallis high (before Crescent Valley came to be) were arch rivals in the 1960s and 70s. Mike is a couple years older than me, but in Albany, we knew all the top players at CHS. My mom is a CHS grad, I was born in Corvallis and we have a lot of family friends there. So, yes, he is one of us and will always be special.
Mike is a great pick for that position. He has been and is good for college football and OSU. The outside voices caused him to leave OSU and Gary Anderson was a terrible coach! Mike leaving OSU put them back 7 or 8 years before Smith got it going again. Oregon had a similar circumstance when some Portland boosters forced Jerry Fei out in 71 and hired Dick Enright. That move put the program back 10 years until Brooks got it going. Granted Mike had more success than Jerry, but Jerry only had 4 or 5 years to build a program that was on life support financially and administratively.