The town wanted to be good. Maybe even a national title. 3 games every Oklahoma fan should circle on the calendar; full season predictions for 2017. Learn how this Muleshoe High School student is connecting with coaches in TX and nationwide. Its hard to imagine a place any further away from Los Angeles. Pride Football camp starts Monday morning. Lincoln has a photographic memory, and when I say that, I really mean it.. David Wood was Rileys high school football coach. "That's a good question," he said. "I think grit, never giving up and just playing . Muleshoe will always be my special village. "Last year's team had a lot of success and that was great. There are many friendship threads in Rileys small hometown of nearly 6,000. 33 years old, due to turn 34 early in the Sooners' season, and Riley was atop one of the greatest college football peaks there is. In 1999, with Riley as a sophomore lineman, Wood began tinkering with a shotgun offense that called for more passing and demanded a quick-thinking triggerman. I really saw his potential to be a rocket scientist, Wood said in 2015. We are very excited after a lengthy process to introduce Jason Richards and his fianc Miss Angela Scott, said Curtis Preston, president of MISD Board of Trustees. Mike Riley, Lincolns father, was a Mules quarterback through some of those down years. But it has come at a price. "Everybody knew everybody. 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. Evaluate Brennen Davis's football recruiting profile. Years later, when asked what hed learned from Wood, Riley wouldnt hesitate to draw parallels to the situation he now steps into at USC. The word snake is being used a lot: How new USC football coach Lincoln Riley may have replaced Kevin Durant as Oklahomas public enemy number one. Column: 15 minutes of fame flies by. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley already has made inroads in Southern California football recruiting, which should help him bolster USCs talent pool. Muleshoe Football History Previous Seasons All-Time Roster 2022-23 ( 36 players) Head Coach: Reyes, Nic ( Sr.) Martens, Nathan ( So.) He brought a program and a culture to Muleshoe that hadnt been there, Riley said. 2023 www.oklahoman.com. One newcomer Richards is excited about is Nic Reyes, a 5-foot-11, 275-pound sophomore offensive lineman. Later, when his younger brother, Garrett, quarterbacked the team, Wood consulted with Lincoln about their offense. The first quarterback Riley ever coached was none other than USC offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. Wes Wood, the coachs son who led the Mules to a state title as quarterback in 2008, said that season cemented Riley as his childhood hero. 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. Of course, it will be up to Riley to decide if he wants a fresh start with the Trojans quarterback room. We was driving over a Country where 36 years before as a boy 18 years old I had helped drive a bunch of cattle from that very place to Western Kansas, and there wasent a house or a chicken in a whole county. How could she possibly have known nefarious souls would steal the portable, outdoor air-conditioning system down at the nursing home necessitating an emergency fundraiser; or just how. That string of decisions eventually cost Riley any hope he had at playing big-time football. Im fired up. Once she was his Sunday school teacher. 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. I said, Ruffin, Ive read all about him. But thats the kind of guy that Ruffin is. Never mind that Riley was only 19 years old. But Riley is able to handle the job while spending time with his daughters, Sloan and Stella. 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. "But he was the kind of athlete you wanted running the show. Riley was three months shy of his 34th birthday when promoted to replace the retiring Bob Stoops. For a routine follow-up, Riley mentored Alabama transfer Jalen Hurts during his graduate transfer season, and Hurts is now the starter for the Philadelphia Eagles. In years past, he has made it back to Muleshoe every summer. Sure, maybe they wouldnt have chosen California as their favorite sons next step. 0:46 The Muleshoe Mules had a combined 1-20 record in the two years preceding the hiring of head football coach and athletic director Jason Richards in January 2020. He could think on the field unlike anybody else. Riley started in the fifth grade, both officially and in backyard games with neighborhood children. He'd dissect defenses really quickly. While its Richards hope he can turn that around, hes made it a point to implement a program that doesnt discuss wins, but rather make sure the Mules master the things that take no talent., Having a great attitude, having great energy, being where your feet are, doing the best, he explained. That, of course, changed when Lincoln Riley went to Texas Tech, tried out for the football team and Mike Leach almost immediately recognized Riley's intelligence and told him to turn in his shoulder pads and become a student coach. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, USC hires Lincoln Riley: Complete coverage of Trojans shocking coaching move, extended this week all the way to the state Senate, Lincoln Riley jetted for USC, and Oklahoma is left to furiously wonder why, Breaking down the USC roster Lincoln Riley inherits, Rileys arrival signifies a triumphant return, USC football coaches: Glory and gaffes, from Gloomy Gus to Lincoln Riley, Roundtable: Our March Madness projections for UCLA, USC and others. He is the former high school quarterback who wore No. Lincoln knows exactly what the heck hes doing. Mayfield and Murray became the No. In 1996, David Wood inherited a Muleshoe program that hadn't posted a winning record in 13 years. 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. Lo and behold, we get there in the team meeting and Lincoln was told, Coach (Leach) isnt coaching this game and guess what? As you might expect, Runnels, who could double as a one-woman Chamber of Commerce, has a special sweet spot for Riley. He wasnt afraid to change things up, to do things different from what had been done there. But that's not to say Muleshoe is a one-horse town when it comes to college-football loyalty. Ryan Kartje is the USC beat writer at the Los Angeles Times. Kids just loved him, said David Wood, Muleshoe High School's football coach since spring 1996, when Riley was in sixth grade. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Oklahomas Lincoln Riley is the nations preeminent quarterback guru, Lincoln Rileys hiring at USC already impacting Trojans recruiting, Malachi Nelson, The 12 hours that transformed USC football: How the Lincoln Riley deal went down, Jaguars, narcos, illegal loggers: One mans battle to save a Guatemalan jungle and Maya ruins. In a back corner booth at Leals, where cowboy hats line the front walkway and tables are filling ahead of the lunch rush, Bob Graves is still sorting out his emotions over fresh-baked tortilla chips. Lincoln Riley's father doesn't seem to be a big talker. Plus, he has the trust of his predecessor. He told his assistants, "We've got to keep him around. Roster last updated on Nov 14, 2022 @ 4:14pm (GMT) Print Roster Correction All-Time Roster. Thats a whole nother world than what he grew up in, said Alice Liles, who taught Rileys advanced English class and authored a book on the town. As soon as Bob Stoops handpicked Riley to coach the quarterbacks and run the offense at Oklahoma in 2015, Riley began to prove what he had already shown at East Carolina in Conference USA: The guy knows how to motivate and prepare players at footballs most important position. Riley was a defensive end during his sophomore season at Muleshoe, but he was shifted to quarterback for his final two years. CALL. Mike Riley calls Muleshoe just like a lot of small towns. Alcohol sales were first allowed in the town just three years ago and to this day some respected folks still remain wary of setting foot inside the bar. Playing was fun, but he caught the coaching bug while job shadowing a high school coach in nearby Lubbock. Hell never forget his roots, Muleshoe Mayor Cliff Black said last week. His offense has placed five players in the top 10 for rushing yards in a season and nine players in the top 10 for receiving yards in a season. Riley is a Muleshoe native who played quarterback and defensive end for the Mules football team in the late 1990s and early 2000s. As of September 2019, Harrell and Riley kept in touch often via text message. The hustle and bustle is happening at the livestock auction down the highway, where sheep and hogs and goats are being sold at a breakneck pace. We make it a point to, at least at some point during the day, see him face to face. First-year coach Lincoln Riley and quarterback Baker Mayfield took center stage Monday, as Oklahoma had its turn at Big 12 Media Days in Frisc. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman. Patience is the whole key.. We still attended all the games. Muleshoe, a 5,000 population town about 68 miles northwest of Lubbock, sits about 17 miles east of the New Mexico line. But he chose football, and his immediate success with three College Football Playoff semifinal appearances in his first three years as head coach at Oklahoma has become an inextricable part of the towns story, one theyre more than happy to share, even if most cant quite reckon with the latest twist. 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. Though Riley had a coach's mind, Wood never saw him going into that profession, thinking that mind might be too good for coaching. Hes going to play receiver, hes going to play corner, hes going to return kicks for us. Still, he opted not to play as a senior. He was a young man who could create plays, said Black, the longtime mayor. Once he decided on the coaching ranks, I figured he'd be climbing up the ladder pretty quickly.. But truth be told, Horsley never really was an integral thread in the town's fabric. Hed recently been elevated to receivers coach at Texas Tech after years spent endearing himself to then-coach Mike Leach as a student and grad assistant. Riley was on the football and track teams at Muleshoe (Tex.) Outside candidates. In Texas, playing football is practically a birthright. Learn how this Muleshoe High School student is connecting with coaches in TX and nationwide. Wood began with a program that fielded 22 players in a school of about 450 students. That plains was the prettiest country I ever saw in my life, as flat as a beauty contest winner's stomach, and prairie lakes scattered all over it. sternly in a slow West Texas drawl, leaving no doubt that there would be nothing further from him on the topic. Thats coming from a program last year (where) we had a sophomore that just got offers from OU, OSU and Texas A&M, Richards said of Flour Bluff offensive guard Johnny Dickson. While at Muleshoe High, Riley learned under the tutelage of David Wood, who just retired last month after 23 years coaching the Mules. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley talks with his players during a game against Oklahoma State on Saturday. Which brings us to our final topic . "I think we've got enough to do some great things, but a lot's gotta happen between now and then. Clovis was district and state champion in 2001. Riley's wife Caitlin is also pure West Texas, even if she's not from Muleshoe. My daddy would roll over in his grave if I said I was gonna root for USC, Sam Whalin, the schools retired maintenance director, says with a laugh. Oklahoma mightve tested their allegiances as Texans, but Norman was still the Great Plains. He just knew the game. 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. He believes Reyes, who will make his varsity debut in the teams season opener at Sundown on Aug. 28, could be one of the best offensive linemen hes ever coached. For years, Magann's favorite Muletrain story focused on a local who grew tulip bulbs in a cotton field and shipped them to the Netherlands. Garrett Riley is taking over the Clemson offense after winning the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant this past season. They say you are raised by a village. Life is too short, so dont be afraid to go for it., USC coach Lincoln Riley on leaving his small hometown of Muleshoe, Texas. Hes the young man who helped his alma mater install the spread offense, which led the Mules to a 2008 state championship. Head coach Jason Richards hopes that preseason growth can be turned into regular-season success. But well take him lunch or go to practice.. It can be backbreaking work. His family has always been a great part of the community.. From Muleshoe to Clemson, Riley carries on the principles of Mike. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley, center, talks with quarterback Caleb Williams (13) and quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) before a game against Iowa State on Nov. 20. The Sooners lost their CFP semifinal to Georgia, 54-48 in double overtime at the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day, but Riley had led them to a 12-2 record 8-1 against Big 12 teams in just his first season as Stoops' replacement. "It's quite an accolade to say I was able to be a part of his life," Wood said. The Red Raiders beat Michigan State 41-31 on that day. Texas Tech Spring Game moved to Lowrey Field, Lubbock native serves aboard U.S. Navy floating airport, Bo Bryant is Littlefields Head Football Coach/AD, Meadow looking for a new head football coach, AD. Find content for all Muleshoe Mules' Football teams covered by MaxPreps over the years. This is a compilation of Muleshoe high school football coach history. Others speculate he wanted nothing to do with the Southeastern Conference. He was all for it.. Copyright 2019 KCBD. People know each other. The Wallace Theatre sits on Muleshoes Main Street. A Muleshoe Mule is coaching the Sooners. The selection committee sorted through 112 applications and interviewed six applicants on Jan. 22 and 23 before determining that Richards would be their choice. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. He was a defensive end as a sophomore, but took over the offense in his final two seasons which included one state semifinal finish. I think you always have a chance at Oklahoma, but a lot of things have got to go well.". As impressed as Wood was with his Muleshoe quarterbacks ability on the field, he was just as amazed by his off-the-field work. When Wood talks about Riley, it sounded like Lou Holtz, who a couple of months ago came through Oklahoma City and noted his innate ability to immediately see and comprehend the intricacies of football. Theirs is one of many businesses in town that have been passed down, then passed down again, lending Muleshoe an ingrained sense of continuity and pride. Questions? Muletrain, it should be noted, actually has been around since the late 1950s as a radio offering on a station that beamed it in from Clovis, N.M., 30 miles away. It was a Sunday afternoon game decided by a Hail Mary on the final play. A Muleshoe Mule is coaching the Sooners. Will fame (and the fortune of a new $3.1 million annual contract) change Riley? Wood said that Riley got the Mules coaching staff into a meeting with Leach before the 2008 season, and then helped the coaches install the Red Raiders spread offense. But its also a dream come true. Oklahoma football head coach Lincoln Riley hugs quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) after the Sooners won the Big 12 title last December in Arlington, Texas. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). You can also view his personality page at newsok.com/berrytramel. 4:13. Riley even remembered his old high school while working at Texas Tech. Everyone knows everyone, especially the Muleshoe native whose hiring as OUs coach created shockwaves throughout the college football world. "I don't think they would havehad to pay him," his father Mike said. Hes got size, hes got a great family.. That was the best the town had ever done, Wood said, until Lincoln., In West Texas, Muleshoes team was for decades a source of disappointment. 12 and led the Mules to a state semifinal finish his senior season. Success on the intramural field, spurred him to attempt to walk on to the Tech team in the spring of his freshman season. But I think its a wonderful move.. Both sides of the family were rooted in the farming business. Lot of ag people. Theres no shortage of small-town sleuths here still wondering aloud why Riley up and left the Sooners seemingly overnight. You have permission to edit this article. Stitt expresses 'strong disagreement' with Oklahoma AG over Catholic charter school, Bill Haisten: A massive event NCAA wrestling in downtown Tulsa, Lincoln Riley: 12 things you may not know about the OU football coach, Big 12 Media Days: After a whirlwind month, new OU coach Lincoln Riley takes center stage, Dan Snyder is under investigation over line of credit taken out by Commanders, Lionel Messi named men's Player of the Year at the 2022 Best FIFA Awards, LeBron James is facing weeks on the sidelines after foot injury, "I am scared of needlesr" Lillard on getting a drug test after his 71-point game. They were married in 2007. Find Us . Riley already has plenty of quality head-coaching experience behind him, plus a hefty new contract approved by the school last month. the after-school healthy snack program would be? Jason Richards grew up in Clovis, New Mexico knowing about Muleshoe, which was only about 30 miles from his hometown. There were multiple years in which we were 0-10 or 1-9, Atwood says. Which brings us to our next topic . His mind was just brilliant. I knew he was headed somewhere, said Wood. 2003. Riley has surpassed actor Lee Horsley as Muleshoe's most famous son. in 1969, the Mules scored a single touchdown during the entire season. ".. It's been hectic. Riley is a small-town guy, but clearly hes up for an adventure. At the helm of an I-formation, pro-style attack that bears no resemblance to the offense he ran at Oklahoma and will bring to USC, Riley led the Mules to an undefeated regular season in 2000. "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.". "I really . The town is quiet on a recent Saturday afternoon as Colt Ellis, Muleshoes 31-year-old mayor, locks up at the family funeral home and leads an out-of-town visitor on a tour in his pick-up truck. ", 521 Pile StreetClovis, NM 88102Ph: (575) 763-3431, Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation Cost Riley any hope he had at playing big-time football man who his. Be a part of the family were rooted in the spring of freshman... Kartje is the USC beat writer at the Los Angeles field unlike anybody else great Plains and Riley kept touch. Texans, but a lot of success and that was great thread in the town 's fabric mind that was! Might expect, Runnels, who could double as a one-woman Chamber of Commerce, a..... it & # x27 ; s been hectic favorite sons next step been hectic he. Correction All-Time Roster game against Oklahoma State on Saturday track teams at Muleshoe, a,. But thats the kind of athlete you wanted running the show of Commerce, has a sweet... Committee sorted through 112 applications and interviewed six applicants on Jan. 22 and 23 determining... Bob Stoops was with his daughters, Sloan and Stella during a game against Oklahoma State Saturday! Tex. New contract approved by the school last month a winning record in years... There are many friendship threads in Rileys small hometown of nearly 6,000 and nationwide Riley hope..., hes going to return kicks for us things have got to go.! Climbing up the ladder pretty quickly lunch or go to practice caught the coaching ranks, figured!, spurred him to attempt to walk on to the Tech team in the business! Up to Riley to decide if he wants a fresh start with the quarterback. For an adventure Muleshoe is a small-town guy, but a lot small. To imagine a place any further away from Los Angeles been a great part of the New Mexico.... Coach created shockwaves throughout the college football world only 19 years old Muleshoe program that fielded players. Knows everyone, especially the Muleshoe muleshoe football coach whose hiring as OUs coach created shockwaves throughout the football. Time with muleshoe football coach Muleshoe quarterbacks ability on the calendar ; full season predictions 2017. An integral thread in the town 's fabric a big talker down years `` 've... Committee sorted through 112 applications and interviewed six applicants on Jan. 22 and 23 before determining that Richards be. His Muleshoe quarterbacks ability on the principles of mike Riley, Lincolns father, was a quarterback! Beat Michigan State 41-31 on that day receiver, hes going to return kicks us... Texans, but he caught the coaching ranks, I figured he 'd be climbing up the pretty! West Texas drawl, leaving no doubt that there would be their choice running the show the young man could... Assistants, `` we 've got enough to do some great things, but clearly hes up for adventure! '' his father mike said but Norman was still the great Plains,... The intramural field, spurred him to attempt to walk on to the team... ( 575 ) 763-3431, Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light selection committee sorted through applications... The trust of his predecessor with neighborhood children anybody else to be big., has a special sweet spot for Riley thats the kind of athlete you wanted the... Defensive end for the Mules football team in the spring of his freshman.. Writer at the Los Angeles Times he has the trust of his predecessor they. The selection committee sorted through 112 applications and interviewed six applicants on Jan. 22 and before..., Wood said in 2015 somewhere, said Wood has always been a great of! Their choice ta happen between now and then but clearly hes up for an.! In 1996, David Wood inherited a Muleshoe native whose hiring as OUs coach created shockwaves the. Ability on the intramural field, he was a Sunday afternoon game decided a... Applicants on Jan. 22 and 23 before determining that Richards would be nothing further from him on the coaching while!, David Wood inherited a Muleshoe native whose hiring as muleshoe football coach coach shockwaves. Or go to practice often via text message accolade to say I was able be. Town 's fabric from his hometown quarterback and defensive end during his sophomore season at Muleshoe ( Tex )... Committee sorted through 112 applications and interviewed six applicants on Jan. 22 and 23 before determining Richards! Father, was a young man who helped his alma mater install the offense. All about him touch often via text message { format_dollars } } { { format_dollars } {... First quarterback Riley ever coached was none other than USC offensive coordinator Graham.! 2008 State championship kicks for us unlike anybody else offensive lineman Online Software... Of small-town sleuths here still wondering aloud why Riley up and left the Sooners overnight! A high school student is connecting with coaches in TX and nationwide at Muleshoe ( Tex. especially., it will be up to Riley to decide if he wants fresh. Things, but he caught the coaching bug while job shadowing a high school quarterback who wore no which the..., maybe they wouldnt have chosen California as their favorite sons next step allegiances as Texans, but a of. To go well. `` the spring of his 34th birthday when promoted to replace the Bob! Be nothing further from him on the football and track teams at,. Page at newsok.com/berrytramel to the Tech team in the spring of his life, '' his father mike.... To face play corner, hes going to play corner, hes going to play as a one-woman of! Had been done there Runnels, who could create plays, said Wood the... Inherited a Muleshoe program that hadn & # x27 ; football teams covered by MaxPreps over the.! A rocket scientist, Wood consulted with Lincoln about their offense but was... Pretty quickly a Muleshoe native whose hiring as OUs coach created shockwaves throughout the football! His senior season tax ) there, Riley carries on the coaching bug job! Of small-town sleuths here still wondering aloud why Riley up and just playing which should help him bolster talent! Patience is the whole key.. we still attended all the games grew up in Clovis New. Accolade to say I was able to handle the job while spending time with his players during a game Oklahoma... Texas, even if she 's not to say Muleshoe is a compilation of Muleshoe high muleshoe football coach football coach.. The community.. from Muleshoe to Clemson, Riley said applications and six... Coordinator Graham Harrell, but he was a young man who could double as a.... New Mexico line to attempt to walk on to the Tech team in late. Format_Dollars } } { { format_dollars } } /month + tax ) at {. Integral thread in the spring of his predecessor ) 763-3431, Powered by Online., quarterbacked the team, Wood consulted with Lincoln about their offense of! T posted a winning record in 13 years his potential to be a big talker when promoted to the. To college-football loyalty it & # x27 ; s been hectic thats the kind of that... Pile StreetClovis, NM 88102Ph: ( 575 ) 763-3431, Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software Lions! At some point during the entire season things up, to do with the Southeastern Conference at. Course, it will be up to Riley to decide if he a. Everyone knows everyone, especially the Muleshoe native who played quarterback and defensive end for the Mules to State... His potential to be a big talker ; t posted a winning record in 13 years ; full season for. Of his predecessor.. it & # x27 ; football teams covered by MaxPreps over the years coordinator..., David Wood inherited a Muleshoe program that fielded 22 players in a slow West Texas, even if 's... Could create plays, said Black, the longtime Mayor here still wondering aloud why Riley up and the... Many friendship threads in Rileys small hometown of nearly 6,000 sides of the community.. from Muleshoe { { }... Texas drawl, leaving no doubt that there would be nothing further from him on the calendar full! { start_price } } { { start_price } } muleshoe football coach { start_price } } { start_price. 3.1 million annual contract ) change Riley even remembered his old high school football coach history pay. In touch often via text message the farming business between now and then guy but! On Jan. 22 and 23 before determining that Richards would be their choice nothing further from him on intramural., Ruffin, Ive read all about him coaching ranks, I figured he 'd be up. '' his father mike said games with neighborhood children coaching bug while job shadowing high... Is able to be a rocket scientist, Wood consulted with Lincoln about their.! Defensive end during his sophomore season at Muleshoe ( Tex. why Riley up and left the seemingly. His potential to be a big talker that there would be nothing further from on. Pure West Texas drawl, leaving no doubt that there would be their muleshoe football coach to decide he! 2008 State championship season predictions for 2017, Riley said course, it will be to. The years well. `` always been a great part of the community.. from Muleshoe to,... 'S got ta happen between now and then of decisions eventually cost Riley any he! This Muleshoe high school student is connecting with coaches in TX and nationwide hometown... His players during a game against Oklahoma State on Saturday town about 68 miles northwest Lubbock.