LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska has fired coach Mike Riley after three seasons in which he was unable to return the Cornhuskers to national prominence let alone make them a factor in the Big Ten.
Athletic director Bill Moos announced Riley’s dismissal Saturday. Riley was under contract through February 2021 and is due a buyout of more than $6.6 million.
The Cornhuskers finished the season 4-8 after a 56-14 loss at home to Iowa on Friday. The four wins were the program’s fewest since going 3-6-1 in 1961.
UCF Scott Frost, the quarterback on the 1997 Nebraska team that split the national championship with Michigan, is the popular choice of the fans to replace Riley.
Riley was 19-19 and lost 12 of the last 18. Nebraska had losing records two of Riley’s three seasons.
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