New Oregon State coach Smith hires Mike Riley as assistant

Oregon State will have a familiar face on the sidelines next season, as newly hired head coach Jonathan Smith announced the hiring of former Nebraska and Oregon State head coach Mike Riley as his assistant head coach.

Smith announced the hirings of his entire staff Thursday, and cited Riley's recruiting prowess as one of the main reasons he felt the 64-year-old was an obvious choice.

"Current and former players thriving in the NFL and in life are proof of Coach Riley's tremendous ability to recruit outstanding young men," Smith said in a statement. "He understands what it takes to win in this conference, and how to evaluate and develop student-athletes. There is no one better to have represent OSU in the homes of recruits as we build this program."

Riley coached the Beavers on two separate occasions (1997-98 and 2003-14), boasting a combined record of 93-80.

He spent the past three seasons at Nebraska, leading the Huskers to a 19-19 record before being fired on Nov. 25.