877-845-6272. Caravans of pick-ups and SUVs would filter out of town for road games, packing visiting bleachers across the plains. Some folks waited afterward to get his autograph. "It's quite an accolade to say I was able to be a part of his life," Wood said. Mike Riley, Lincoln's father and a lifelong Muleshoe resident, said he didn't even know his son was interested in coaching until his senior year of high school. His grandfather Claude Riley, who is 97 and lives at the nursing home with his wife, Evelyn, 89, was a quarterback there, as well. The next year he was hired on at Oklahoma as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under the nationally-renowned Bob Stoops. Theres an intense sense of pride. Both sides of the family were rooted in the farming business. Riley is already having huge success recruiting Southern California. Garrett, six years younger than his brother, is currently the quarterbacks coach at, But on this Tuesday, the first day of August, Mike Riley is sporting a crimson. He was all for it.. Back in the early 1980s, Horsley starred on television as Texas oilman Matt Houston, who doubled as a private investigator. As a freshman, he had a team-leading 221 receiving yards with a touchdown and will be expected to stay on the field for as long as he can to play on offense, defense and special teams. But the last 103 years havent been all wins and Roses. Who knows what would have become of Riley had he gone to Dartmouth, which seemed most interested, instead of his eventual landing spot at Texas Tech. On a recent late-night broadcast of ESPN's Sports Center, anchor Neil Everett said, "When it comes to college football coaches, there's Nick Saban and there's everyone else.". If you took somebody from San Diego, California, and you drop them in west Texas, youre taking a chance, and I wanted somebody that understood the people and wasnt going to complain about the wind and the dirt, Richards said. They embraced whats good for it. Atwood, who was one of the four, recalls that the boys were caught as soon as they descended the water tower. The Muleshoe, Texas, city limit sign is seen in the hometown of new USC coach Lincoln Riley in 2015. Over time, some of the Riley stories from those days have come to drift into tall tales, depending on whos telling them. But as the conversation continues, even hes starting to come around to Riley at USC. "It's just this year's team," he said. He always has. COURTESY, Grandpa Claude, father Mike and Lincoln Riley, Lincoln and Caitlin Riley are from small Texas towns separated by a 45-minute drive. "Surely not an everyday event in these parts.". Mike Riley, Lincolns father, was a Mules quarterback through some of those down years. Its probably one of the most supportive communities youll find in the state of Texas, said Richards, who had been Flour Bluffs offensive coordinator for the past five seasons. The run still resonates here. One newcomer Richards is excited about is Nic Reyes, a 5-foot-11, 275-pound sophomore offensive lineman. We're pretty exited around here. His family has always been a great part of the community.. I knew he'd be the best next coach at a major Division I school. Head Cross Country/Head Girls Powerlifting Coach . But its what hes always wanted and anticipated. Following the 2016 season, he was appointed Bob Stoops' successor, and he guided the team to the 2017 Rose Bowl and a #2 position in the College Football Playoffs. 1. He has learned from experience. Wood began with a program that fielded 22 players in a school of about 450 students. Hes ready to be a part of that city and what comes with it. When Stoops retired on June 7, the decision to replace him immediately was so quick that the Rileys didn't have time to make the six-hour drive from Muleshoe. Muleshoe Mules Varsity Boys Football Muleshoe, TX FOLLOW TEAM 22-23 V. Football Home Schedule Roster Stats Standings Rankings Photos Videos News More / Muleshoe High School Football Muleshoe Football OVERALL 8-4 0.67 Win % DISTRICT 2-2 3rd in District HOME5-0 AWAY3-3 NEUTRAL0-1 PF318 PA345 STREAK1L Contribute to the Team Complete the Schedule According to the Dallas Morning News, the Mules scored just one touchdown during the entire 1969 season. But I have to also understand that my expectations of simply doing the best I can for this program, thats going to be higher than anyone else can place on me or this program. "He knew all the progressions. Many of those lakes that Will Rogers saw in the 19th century have now dried out, but the area is prime for agriculture. Their hearts belonged to the Longhorns until sons Lincoln and Garrett went off to college at Texas Tech. Ellis is the third generation to run the funeral home, which his grandfather opened in 1959. 12.8K views. Head Girls Track Coach Adrienne Ross. Eight years later, on the brink of that state championship, Riley returned to Muleshoe High for a pep rally. Seems that back when Riley. The Sooners coach listens to many different genres. Muleshoe coach Jason Richards discusses the touchdown run that sparked comeback. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley watches the Sooners play Iowa State on Nov. 20. Head Boys Track Coach Aaron Simon. USC coach Lincoln Riley remains a celebrated figure in the Muleshoe High football program. October 1, 2022, 12:22 AM. Growing up here, Ellis says, it often felt like you were insulated from the ails of the outside world. New WIC On Wheels set to travel to Bailey, other counties, Republican candidate for District 19 primary has clear leadership goals. Riley even remembered his old high school while working at Texas Tech. Cortez, Raymond ( So.) Before he even went to Oklahoma, he was talking to some other major colleges. Fortunately, there is a simple, dependable, go-to staple for slow news cycles at Channel 6. With a coach of Rileys pedigree now leading the Trojans, the Pac-12 is unquestionably now USCs for the taking in the coming years. But like L.A., they have complete faith now that Lincoln Riley will deliver. He was a computer on legs. Riley has surpassed actor Lee Horsley as Muleshoe's most famous son. Many of the standards of the Southwest. Its like Christmas Eve and Im 6 years old. (Reyes) is a stud. As is custom, Leal's Mexican Restaurant on West American Boulevard, is packed by noon as pickup trucks clog the dusty parking lot in the shadow of a grain elevator skyline. Oklahoma, where Memorial Stadium could hold 17 times the population of Muleshoe. Evaluate Jason Florez's football recruiting profile. I just wanted to build on people that wanted to be in Muleshoe and want to get things going again.. Today, he contends that their prank, now a part of town lore, was delayed payback for Friona painting the previous seasons score all over Muleshoes own weight room. Please subscribe to keep reading. We have to put things together, do it again. Los Angeles, on the other hand that felt like a world apart from Muleshoe. Riley was on the football and track teams at Muleshoe (Tex.) From Muleshoe to Clemson, Riley carries on the principles of Mike. "Each year presents new challenges, but there are parts of the job and all the things that come with it that I'm a little more settled in with for sure.". There was a reason theyd come this far. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'easternnewmexiconews_com-box-2','ezslot_3',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-easternnewmexiconews_com-box-2-0'); Oklahoma University head football coach Lincoln Riley raises the Big 12 Championship trophy after the Sooners beat TCU 41-17 in the conference title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas last December. "It was a great place to grow up," Riley said on Wednesday afternoon during a telephone interview with The Eastern New Mexico News. His mind was just brilliant. Ive always carried that with me., USC coach Lincoln Riley on what he learned from high school coach David Wood, There was backlash to his new, strict approach at first, too. How did Lincoln Riley zoom from Muleshoe High School to the Sooners new head coach? Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), AgTexas Farm Credit awards $9,000 in local scholarships Muleshoe Journal | Intl' Scholarship News, AgTexas Farm Credit awards $9,000 in local scholarships. Riley had instant success at East Carolina, and drew job opportunities from four schools. Conventional wisdom might tell you to stay in that, thats what you do, and I certainly think that wouldve turned out just fine. David Wood was Riley's high school football coach. He spent a couple of days in Muleshoe and wrote about his drover days. Its something that hes excited about. Still, Lincoln Riley grew up loving the Mules and football, in general. It didn't take much, however, to get his competitive football juices flowing in Lubbock. Football offered a nice escape. Jalen Hurts could be next for the Sooners. Lincoln has a photographic memory, and when I say that, I really mean it.. In the beginning, it was because he was the only guy that was around to watch film with me.. I think you always have a chance at Oklahoma, but a lot of things have got to go well.". The crowd roared. But he dislocated his throwing shoulder before the start of the season trying to make a tackle during a practice. Muleshoe, a 5,000 population town about 68 miles northwest of Lubbock, sits about 17 miles east of the New Mexico line. As impressed as Wood was with his Muleshoe quarterbacks ability on the field, he was just as amazed by his off-the-field work. The Riley family came before most other fixtures in Muleshoe, settling in town in the 1930s, not long after the town was incorporated. Pride Football camp starts Monday morning. After two years as OUs offensive coordinator, hell take over as head coach. Ellis is hoping to change that with plans for a new development on the edge of town, a project he hopes might convince folks fleeing Lubbock, 70 miles to the southeast, to take refuge in small-town living. Born in Muleshoe, he was raised and schooled primarily in Colorado. But that was 1965, 15 years before the birth of Channel 6. But Riley is still so young in the profession, and the longer he stayed in Norman, the more he risked the fan bases appreciation of him running dry. I said, Ruffin, Ive read all about him. But thats the kind of guy that Ruffin is. But by then, the town had already galvanized around its team, and Muleshoe was firmly on the football map. How USC trainers saved Vincent Iwuchukwu after cardiac arrest, How Lindsay Gottlieb blends family into USCs once-in-a-lifetime season. "As long as I could have kids like Lincoln, I knew I could compete.". Which brings us to our final topic . Richards noted the juniors ability to play wide receiver, running back and quarterback on offense as well as defensive back on defense. Anyhow, Riley wanted to be a college quarterback, but a shoulder dislocation kept him from reaching that potential. Notice something in common about the starting quarterbacks for Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Georgia entering this year? Here are five things to know about new USC football head coach Lincoln Riley that should shed some light on why the 38-year-old decided to take over the Trojans instead of staying at Oklahoma or moving on to Louisiana State. It wasnt until Wood came to town in the spring of 1996 that the teams fortunes started to turn around. The following season, Muleshoe went 15-0 and won its only state championship. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft during back-to-back seasons. It may be a good thing that the show never has had a scripted length. MULESHOE, Texas -- Speaking over the phone Friday morning, new USC football coach Lincoln Riley is discussing his adjustment to Los Angeles so far and laughs when asked about his current living arrangement. He was a walk-on quarterback at Texas Tech in the spring and summer of 2003 before starting his coaching career as a student assistant there under head coach Mike Leach for three seasons (2003-05), working with the offense. Ive never been afraid to go against the grain if I felt like it was the best thing for the team, for the program. How the deluge of 1938 changed Los Angeles and its river, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles. Back then, that was unbelievable.. Davis will be Muleshoe's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach after previously being at Texico (New Mexico) High School. He was a defensive end as a sophomore, but took over the offense in his final two seasons which included one state semifinal finish. Which brings us to our next topic . Davis will be Muleshoes defensive coordinator and linebackers coach after previously being at Texico (New Mexico) High School. 4 min read. (An even smaller coincidence my step dad and Riley are apparently distant, distant cousins). The day he interviewed, Wood recalls, there were three fights in the schools halls. Family roots run generations deep in Muleshoe, making it sometimes feel like time is standing still. Last week's scrimmage against Olton showed the growth the Muleshoe football team has made over the last year. COURTESY/Riley family. "He had great math skills, intelligence and a photographic memory, stuff that you just don't see.". Duncan drew close to Riley and McNeill during the Alamo Bowl and was a mentor to the pair until his death on March 12, 2016. Makes a lot of people feel good., Wood -- who also coached Lincoln's brother, Garrett, when the Mules won the 2008 Class 2A Division I state championship with the younger Riley quarterbacking -- said he was surprised that Stoops stepped down, but didn't surprise me (OU) named Lincoln the head coach. Mike Riley's series of tin-roofed warehouses on the northern fringe of Sudan can feel like ovens in the unforgiving West Texas sun. A Muleshoe Mule is coaching the Sooners. Riley's wife Caitlin is also pure West Texas, even if she's not from Muleshoe. Wood said he has no plans to coach in the future. "Yeah, I think that's fair to say," he said. I havent been following them as much since the boys got bigger and went to different schools. Under Walkers leadership, the Mules went 1-19 over the two seasons. Donnie trained both of us and patience was a big thing, McNeill said about coaching transitions. The new coach inherited around two dozen players, barely enough to field a full team, and the program was plagued by a lack of discipline. Two years into that gig, Riley found himself promoted to head coach when Stoops unexpectedly retired in June of 2017. In 2018, Kyler Murray, a highly recruited transfer from Texas A&M, stepped in for Mayfield and earned his own Heisman and playoff appearance. Garrett Riley is taking over the Clemson offense after winning the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant this past season. 877-845-6272. Access your Muleshoe Journal e-edition or subscribe here. Riley played briefly for Texas Tech, but spent more time there coaching than playing. "Muleshoe -- don't you like just hearing it?". Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Upon the completion of his degree in 2012, he was named the running backs coach at Augustana College in Illinois. That string of decisions eventually cost Riley any hope he had at playing big-time football. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley has agreed to become the next USC football coach. From what I understand, Graves says, he wants to build his own program.. When Lincoln attended Texas Tech, about 70 miles northwest of their home, the Rileys cheered for the Red Raiders. sternly in a slow West Texas drawl, leaving no doubt that there would be nothing further from him on the topic. Down years run generations deep in Muleshoe, a 5-foot-11, 275-pound sophomore offensive lineman hold times. Who was one of the outside world Rileys pedigree now leading the Trojans, the is... That there would be nothing further from him on the northern fringe Sudan. Both sides of the community opportunities from four schools years havent been following them as much since boys... But like L.A., they have complete faith now that Lincoln Riley has surpassed actor Lee Horsley as Muleshoe most! Say, '' Wood said he has no plans to coach in the,. 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