Oregon State begins search for assistant football coach as Mike Riley heads to San Antonio

Mike Riley was Oregon State's head football coach from 1997-98 and 2003-14, as well as a Beavers assistant since December.(Danny Moran)

Mike Riley's third run through Oregon State football officially ended Thursday when he was named head coach of San Antonio's Alliance of American Football franchise.

Riley, 64, returned to Corvallis in December as assistant head coach and tight ends coach for first-year coach Jonathan Smith.

Riley had previously been Oregon State's head coach from 1997-98 and 2003-14, before leaving to become head coach at Nebraska, where he was fired in November.

"There already is tremendous interest from coaches around the country to join our team. We will hire the right coach who will help us build on the significant momentum we have underway in recruiting and student-athlete development. I want to thank Coach Riley for his contribution to our program and wish him best in his new challenge," Smith said in a statement.

The AAF begins its first year of play next February. San Antonio is one of eight franchises in the league. Another former Beaver head coach, Dennis Erickson, is coaching the AAF's Arizona franchise.

--Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel

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