By Fred Delkin

     Writing under our sports column sobriquet Pigskin Pete, we condemned the lack of control by head coach Mike Riley over his minions, who have created much negative press of late with off field shenanigans...and this was just before the latest Beaver squad member pecadillo...a starter being cited for drunk driving while stealing a sheep from the campus farm site.

We stand by our published opinions that stirred up attacks aimed at us by Beaver fans.  Riley and his Athletic Director and boss, Bob DeCarolis, have yet, as we write this, exercised the proper quick public relations response to show their intolerance for the rash of public stupidity and criminal actions generated by OSU gridders in recent weeks.

Assaulting a serviceman just back from Iraq and his wife was inexcusable and still awaits a court appearance by the offender.  However, team reinstatement has been given to other gridders who violated team rules and state alcohol consumption rules. 

The continuing Beaver gridder violations are a result of "nice guy" Mike Riley's failure to establish respect amongst his charges...and. apparently, among his assistant coaches, four of whom have recently bailed out in favor of other climes. 

UPDATE  The eighth episode since November of serious football squad member criminal indiscretions seems to have finally caught the attention of the Oregon State University administration.  Athletic Director Bob DeCarolis has announced "a review of the athletic department's policies regarding athletes' behavior."  Grid coach Mike Riley is on a family vacation after drafting a statement that "team discipline is something I take very seriously..."  Yeah, sure, Mike, you have yet to exert true discipline over your squad, but your boss (DeCarolis) has now responded to the complaints of alumni donors who've just enabled an $80 million upgrade of football facilities.  Hey, DeCarolis, you don't need a "review" to elicit who is responsible for your football team's laissez faire attitude. 

That would be the disrespected Mr. Riley.

© 2005 Oregon Magazine