Riley played quarterback and defensive end for Muleshoe High School before graduating in 2002. J. Brady McCollough is a sports enterprise reporter for the Los Angeles Times, focusing on national college football and basketball topics. Its hard to imagine a place any further away from Los Angeles. It can be backbreaking work. Continue reading to hear more about OU's youthful coach. He doubled that win total in his first . In 2018, Kyler Murray, a highly recruited transfer from Texas A&M, stepped in for Mayfield and earned his own Heisman and playoff appearance. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley watches the Sooners play Iowa State on Nov. 20. Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at (405) 760-8080 or at btramel@oklahoman.com. Now that Riley is a head coach, it probably is harder. One is USC head coach. That includes a winless 2019 season and missing the playoffs the past two years. 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. The people in Muleshoe say they didn't know Riley was headed for gridiron greatness. 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.". And, from those days as a young coach on Leachs staff, he hasnt let his own pride bog him down. 12 and led the Mules to a state semifinal finish his senior season. 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. In West Texas, Muleshoe's team was for decades a source of disappointment. 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. Every Friday night that season, Muleshoe shut down. The run still resonates here. Riley will have no shortage of talented quarterbacks to evaluate right here in his new backyard. Suddenly Muletrain was competing with SportsCenter for eyeballs. His grandfather, Claude, was the first, leading the Mules to an undefeated season in 1938. Muleshoe, just 22 miles from the New Mexico border, is home to the National Mule Memorial. He felt that it was a good opportunity for him. Head Cross Country/Head Girls Powerlifting Coach . After two seasons as the Head Football Coach/Athletic Director at Muleshoe High School, Lee Walker has been reassigned. They want their kids to be successful, not just in athletics, but in anything they do.. Despite Muleshoes noted success, the squad hit a rough patch, winning just six games over the past three years. Former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach saw that same attribute in Riley. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 2023 www.oklahoman.com. Richards comes to Muleshoe from Flour Bluff High School in Corpus Christi, where he served as offensive coordinator. Richards noted the juniors ability to play wide receiver, running back and quarterback on offense as well as defensive back on defense. A few years later, Leach offered Riley a full-time job as a wide receivers coach. It shaped who I am, Riley says. Which brings us to our next topic . Over the past six years, the offense averaged 38 points per game and amassed an average of more than 400 yards per game. His immediate retirement plan is . "Yeah, hotel right now," he says. Muleshoe residents gather for a livestock auction featuring sheep, hogs and goats. It's pretty much the talk of the town.. Volunteer. I remember wed be playing football in the yard and hed be drawing up plays and things, his lifelong friend and former Texas Tech roommate, Jeff King, said during a 2015 interview with the Tulsa World. And then theres the part about replacing Bob Stoops. By Gail M. Williams But well take him lunch or go to practice.. But Ellis knows patience is an important part of his job description. "He knew all the progressions. 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. No new houses, he says, have been built in 15 years. "Everybody knew everybody. He told his assistants, "We've got to keep him around. This article originally ran on July 15, 2017. 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. Good call. Ive never been afraid to go against the grain if I felt like it was the best thing for the team, for the program. When I hired him, Lincoln was the youngest full-time assistant in the country, but he had been with me as a student assistant and a GA for about six years and did a tremendous job, so I had no reservation about hiring him.. The couple was on a tight timeline as Scott was scheduled to catch a 5 a.m. plane the next morning so that she could get to a softball game set for 1 p.m. the next day. His mind was just brilliant. Theres something about being raised in a small town, said his wife, Caitlin Riley. Riley is a Muleshoe native who played quarterback and defensive end for the Mules football team in the late 1990s and early 2000s. 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. But he dislocated his throwing shoulder before the start of the season trying to make a tackle during a practice. Lincoln is also well-known for being the Oklahoma Sooners' head football coach. A top-10 preseason ranking is expected and, last week, the Sooners were predicted to win their third consecutive Big 12 championship. Rodriguez, Alan ( Jr.) Lopez, Jaxher ( Jr.) Dominguez, Ryan ( So.) On his 27th birthday, Riley called plays in a thrilling season-opening 51-49 win over Tulsa in 2010. For the Rileys, its a new lifestyle. Note: Lincoln Riley turns 35 years old today. "I think grit, never giving up and just playing . They just didnt know how to do it.. While at Muleshoe High, Riley learned under the tutelage of David Wood, who just retired last month after 23 years coaching the Mules. Garrett Riley, Lincolns brother, said he had a little bit of an instinct that something like that may happen. But even he learned his brother took the USC job via social media. The next year, with Mike settling in as quarterback, the Mules won three games. Gonzalez, Donavan ( Jr.) Vasquez, Uriel ( Sr.) Morales, Aaron ( So.) That string of decisions eventually cost Riley any hope he had at playing big-time football. 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. Plus, he has the trust of his predecessor. Take a stroll along Main Street in Muleshoe; pay your respects to Old Pete, the mule monument standing guard near Muleshoes only stoplight; hit the livestock auction just outside of town; and maybe stop for a tamale or two during the lunch rush at Leals, the towns beloved gathering spot, and youll start to understand what they mean. ", And so, Wood said, he hitched his career to, "Lincoln helped me get established and stay here," Wood said as he prepared for his 22nd season at the school. I had to explain everything to him only once. That part has always been important to me.. Riley shadowed Leach, a noted night owl, as much as he could. . 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. No matter what he decided to go into, whether it was coaching or science or math, whatever he wanted to do, I knew he'd be going somewhere and it would be pretty special. 877-845-6272. Still, he opted not to play as a senior. They clearly remained friends throughout the years. LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - After two seasons as the Head Football Coach/Athletic Director at Muleshoe High School, Lee Walker has been reassigned. As a quarterback, Wood says, his intellect was his greatest asset. Riley was a defensive end during his sophomore season at Muleshoe, but he was shifted to quarterback for his final two years. New WIC On Wheels set to travel to Bailey, other counties, Republican candidate for District 19 primary has clear leadership goals. The crowd roared. Riley is a fierce competitor, but it would be naive to think that Oklahomas upcoming move to the SEC where the Sooners will be one of six programs which expect to annually compete for national championships wasnt something he weighed in making this shocking move west. According to the Dallas Morning News, the Mules scored just one touchdown during the entire 1969 season. But by then, the town had already galvanized around its team, and Muleshoe was firmly on the football map. It would be a challenge, Simmons said, but one that the then-26-year-old coach accepted and conquered. 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. "Last year's team had a lot of success and that was great. Richards grew up in Clovis, where he was quarterback/defensive back for the high school from 1999-2001. Start End Years Coach Name Record; 1996: 2011: 16: David Wood: 139-51-0: Add Team Photo. The Sooners coach listens to many different genres. The gridiron, no. Muleshoe Football History Previous Seasons All-Time Roster 2022-23 ( 36 players) Head Coach: Reyes, Nic ( Sr.) Martens, Nathan ( So.) Fortunately, there is a simple, dependable, go-to staple for slow news cycles at Channel 6. 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. This is a compilation of Muleshoe high school football coach history. 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. Maybe even a national title. The town wanted to be good. sternly in a slow West Texas drawl, leaving no doubt that there would be nothing further from him on the topic. 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. Small town, feels like he's their own. And maybe after a few recruiting classes keeping Southern California talent at home Riley will be in a better position to take down the goliaths of the SEC by facing them in the playoff rather than tussling with them during the entire regular season. Patience is the whole key.. Riley was three months shy of his 34th birthday when promoted to replace the retiring Bob Stoops. Last year, Muleshoe named its football field after the longtime coach. The Mules only return one all-district player in wide receiver Irvin Torres. Sure, maybe they wouldnt have chosen California as their favorite sons next step. Few believed it at first. Oklahomas issue during those seasons was its porous defense, but, during the last two years, its offense sputtered (at least living up to its ridiculous standards), as Riley struggled to work his magic on five-star quarterback prospects Spencer Rattler and Caleb Williams Jr. Look, when 10-2 is your down year, youre doing pretty well. Greatness, yes. Every time we get steaks and have friends over, they ask, Where did you get these knives? Always my wife will say, The Rileys bought them for us as a wedding gift. He tells me to come and visit him. Im fired up. Registration is at 7:15 to 8:00 at the football field first session is for incoming . Back then, that was unbelievable.. 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. 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. At USC, expectations are already soaring. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. His final game at Muleshoe and last as a quarterback in a competitive game was a senior-year loss in a state semifinal game at old Texas Stadium. 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. Head Boys Powerlifting Coach Jaxon Lee. It was kind of fun to be there at the beginning.". A Texas map on the wall of Muleshoe, Texas head football coach David Wood's office marks the location of their West Texas opponents, Tuesday, August 1, 2017. He'd dissect defenses really quickly. 2023 www.lubbockonline.com. I cannot wait to get in here and meet the kids and staff, Richards said. 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. You're shaped by your experiences," Riley said. Many of those lakes that Will Rogers saw in the 19th century have now dried out, but the area is prime for agriculture. Marilyn, his mother who grew up on a Muleshoe farm, and his father, Mike, who came from a family that operated cotton gins among other business ventures, graduated from the University of Texas. There are many friendship threads in Rileys small hometown of nearly 6,000. Like most everyone in town, restaurant owner Victor Leal has a favorite story about his favorite college football coach. The next year he was hired on at Oklahoma as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under the nationally-renowned Bob Stoops. New USC football coach Lincoln Riley grew up in Muleshoe, Texas. "Everybody loves him. He wanted to win in the classroom like he won on the field.". He told the team not to waste one second of its big moment. The two weeks since that decision have been a whirlwind in both Los Angeles and Muleshoe, even if the definition differs in both places. Honest, hard-working people. 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. The only passing reference to L.A. found here comes from a novelty Rodeo Drive sign behind the bar at Rodeo, Muleshoes lone watering hole. "Muleshoe -- don't you like just hearing it?". His exit left him stunned and, he admits, a bit disappointed. "It runs how long it needs to," Rennels said. "Everybody in town knows him," she said. We were so close in age, it became a friendship, but he was a friend I respected. (Courtesy of Bryan Terry / The Oklahoman). He can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including FM-98.1. Mike Riley still works in agriculture; he's run a cotton warehouse for years, which means he's been able to get to Norman for a few games each of the last two years, but when the harvest arrives in November, Saturday's a work day. Atwood, who was one of the four, recalls that the boys were caught as soon as they descended the water tower. But it was no mirage. In a ceremony held Jan. 28 in the Muleshoe High School Library, Jason Richards signed on as the new head football coach/athletic director for the Muleshoe Mules. "One of the greatest assets our town has is its name," Rennels said. Jeremiah Barron struggled with injuries last season, but also has the potential to be a versatile player for Muleshoe. Usually, you build those relationships, and youre going to have a successful program., Top Returners: Irvin Torres, Brennen Davis, Zach Hasley, Jacob Reyes, Matt Fabela. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Jim Inhofe looks back on his career: 'I really wanted to make a difference, and I did', State superintendent questions whether Oklahoma students should attend state colleges and universities, 'They don't make them like her anymore': Historic 1914 bungalow in The Heights restored with love, Bed Bath & Beyond to close two stores in Tulsa, Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years, Gatesway Hot Air Balloon Festival returning after 6-year hiatus, Last day for Utica Square store is Friday, Meet the 2023 Mr. Inside/Mr. 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. But that's not to say Muleshoe is a one-horse town when it comes to college-football loyalty. And it's no mirage. In Texas, playing football is practically a birthright. Ellis is the third generation to run the funeral home, which his grandfather opened in 1959. But everyone here trusts Lincoln. Head coach Jason Richards hopes that preseason growth can be turned into regular-season success. He spent a couple of days in Muleshoe and wrote about his drover days. Mules, just as his father Mike had done three decades earlier. However "favorite" and "biggest" were eclipsed when 33-year-old, coach, took over one of America's most storied. In a ceremony held Jan. 28 in the Muleshoe High School Library, Jason Richards signed on as the new head football coach/athletic director for the Muleshoe Mules. Hell never forget his roots, Muleshoe Mayor Cliff Black said last week. Outside candidates. He used to be a defensive end Lincoln Riley didnt start his Muleshoe High School playing career as a quarterback. "We were Tech fans here because it's close," Todd, the undertaker, announced. A lot of times when people get success at a young age, the humble factor tends to get put on the backburner, Simmons said. 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. ", Three Oklahoma stars to keep an eye on in 2017 season, Watch for these three Oklahoma players to have breakout seasons in 2017. Their hearts belonged to the Longhorns until sons Lincoln and Garrett went off to college at Texas Tech. In the beginning, it was because he was the only guy that was around to watch film with me.. Wood always saw the mind of a coach when Riley was one of his players. He was just brilliant. You just have a lot of pride in the town and in the people. And these former Longhorns fans are now supporters of the crimson and cream, as well as the University of Kansas, where their youngest son, Garrett, is the quarterbacks coach. A lot of the values I hope I still carry today were carried from my parents and people in that town. Texas Tech coach Mike Leach saw enough in him to recruit him as a walk on, but it wasnt too long during his time in Lubbock before Riley moved into a student assistant role. Mayfield and Murray became the No. Almost seven decades later, another 18-year-old in Muleshoe was ready to find his way, and the folks from Lincoln Riley's hometown swear he could see anything in the world, just ahead of him. Which brings us to our next topic . "He had great math skills, intelligence and a photographic memory, stuff that you just don't see.". Clovis was district and state champion in 2001. Muleshoe rolled through four playoff games on their way to the Class 3A state semifinals, including a rare win over Friona that inspired Riley and three teammates the next summer to climb the rival towns water tower and spray paint the winning score, 23-13, for all to see. Learn how this Muleshoe High School student is connecting with coaches in TX and nationwide. 2003. Herald-Times. That number barely fields a varsity team. Youre going to put me on the spot, Mike Riley said with a laugh when asked about cheering for Texas. One asset he had last year that he is without this season is Mayfield, who was selected No. Riley had instant success at East Carolina, and drew job opportunities from four schools. Notice something in common about the starting quarterbacks for Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Georgia entering this year? 1 overall by the Cleveland Browns in last April's NFL Draft. Its because he has an exceptional memory a photographic memory. Davis will be Muleshoes defensive coordinator and linebackers coach after previously being at Texico (New Mexico) High School. CALL. BREAKING after two seasons Muleshoe has reassigned HFC/AD Lee Walker, Muleshoe is open #txhsfb @dctf. I just knew there were things I wanted to try to do, he says. Cortez, Raymond ( So.) He bought us steak knives with Harrell engraved in them, Harrell said. Coaches came and went. Did Riley envision himself as a future coach? What should student loan borrowers do while waiting for Supreme Court forgiveness ruling? blockbuster came in June when Muleshoe's own Lincoln Riley, whose parents Mike and Marilyn still live in Rennels' neighborhood, was named the football coach at the University of Oklahoma soon after the unexpected resignation of Bob Stoops. Theres an intense sense of pride. One person he depended on during this time was the late Donnie Duncan, a former Oklahoma athletic director. With Rileys help, the Sooners have won back-to-back Big 12 championships, have had two Heisman Trophy finalists in Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook, and a College Football Playoff appearance. He played out the year on the defensive line instead. Riley, like many young coaches, has grown over the years. "As long as I could have kids like Lincoln, I knew I could compete.". Muleshoe, just 22 miles from the New Mexico border, is home to the National Mule Memorial. Few will ever forget Riley leading the Mules at Texas Stadium. 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. "We had great success there throughout our years. Flashback: Lincoln Riley's hometown thought he would work for NASA. People know each other. Muleshoe football, as Riley remembers, was "one of the worst programs in the entire state of Texas for a long time." Mike Riley, Lincoln's father, was a Mules quarterback through some of those down years. He holds a masters of administration in education from Sam Houston State University, and graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science in physical education from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, where he was quarterback for the football team. But truth be told, Horsley never really was an integral thread in the town's fabric. Everyone's a hero in a small town, Wood said. , Victor marveled at how much time the older brother spent tutoring elementary school aged Garrett on the football field. Some people dont desire to be a head coach. It's also home to two of the greatest offensive minds in college football. Things got so bad that during Mike Riley's sophomore year. "Oh, no doubt," Wood said Thursday night. Although rocket science was not to be, he considered pursuing his mother's dream that he study to become a pharmacist. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley talks with his players during a game against Oklahoma State on Saturday. "I get back as often as I can," Riley said via cellphone after a morning practice last week in Norman, Okla. "It always will be a special place I carry with me," he said. When he announced it was Oklahoma, I thought, that would be a good place for him to be a head coach, too.'. ", Riley was named the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma in 2015 after prepping for the position at East Carolina, , his first stop away from Texas Tech, his high school math teacher Debbie Conner told, In Mrs. Conner's honors math class, Riley, routinely dissected problems using shortcuts she never considered and. Lincoln has a photographic memory, and when I say that, I really mean it.. He once played quarterback for the Muleshoe. He's been too busy. USC coach Lincoln Riley is introduced as the Trojans new head football coach at the Coliseum on Nov. 29, in front a bustling city backdrop vastly different than where he grew up. It didn't hurt that Riley had the services of quarterback Baker Mayfield, who won the Heisman Trophy in December. He looks back fondly on his upbringing in West Texas and the lessons it taught him. A decade later, Lincoln Riley's new contract at Oklahoma calls for a guaranteed $3.1 million a year for five years. Seeing the Mules football program flourish while learning from his coach, Eric Roanhaus, New Mexicos winningest football coach, added to Richards desire to become a mentor in the football ranks. The Pecos and Northern Texas Railway companies laid the track here in 1913, cutting through this swath of Bailey County ranchland to connect the growing town of Lubbock to the border of New Mexico. Wood said he envisioned his quarterback working someday for NASA. All rights reserved. "He wasn't a blue-chip athlete," Wood said. Family roots run generations deep in Muleshoe, making it sometimes feel like time is standing still. Richards went on to lead. Still, Lincoln Riley grew up loving the Mules and football, in general. He keeps things pretty close to his sleeve, Garrett says. Wood, determined to put an end to the exodus, noticed a seventh-grader playing at the junior high with "lots [of] football smarts" if not lots of blue-chip skills. Hes the person who has a spare second for those wanting to talk to him during visits home. When Leach abruptly lost his job before the 2009 season ended, Riley was asked to call plays in the Alamo Bowl against Michigan State by Red Raiders interim head coach Ruffin McNeill. "School was not his primary motivation," Marilyn Riley said. Thats what you grew up in, thats what your daughters are used to, Riley says. The first quarterback Riley ever coached was none other than USC offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. Harrell told The Times, Really Lincoln was the first person that taught me Mike Leachs offense. Mike and Marilyn Riley have lived in Muleshoe all of their lives. After three years of student coaching as an undergraduate and another as a graduate assistant, Leach, on Valentine's Day 2007, offered Riley. Of course, it will be up to Riley to decide if he wants a fresh start with the Trojans quarterback room. (Staff / The Dallas Morning News, courtesy), Are these Rangers good? After all, Muletrain isn't 60 Minutes. I havent been following them as much since the boys got bigger and went to different schools. "It was a great place to grow up," Riley said on Wednesday afternoon during a telephone interview with The Eastern New Mexico News. While Riley stayed loyal to McNeill, he also wanted to make sure his next jump was the proper one. All four quarterbacks are in the top five for passing yards in a season. I told someone the other day that Ive always felt a strong sense of anytime I was any part of a team, I didnt want to be the one to let my team down whether as a player or student assistant or (graduate assistant) or coach or coordinator or now as a head coach.. 1. The Red Raiders beat Michigan State 41-31 on that day. California? Some speculate the injury mightve changed his trajectory, but the next season, Riley led Muleshoe to new heights as its quarterback anyway. Riley has surpassed actor Lee Horsley as Muleshoe's most famous son. Hard-working. The Mules won one game in Wood's first season, then five the next, giving Muleshoe its first. There are high expectations. He wasnt afraid to change things up, to do things different from what had been done there. Will Rogers was a restless 18-year-old in 1898 when he signed on to be a cowboy for the sprawling Mashed O Ranch, which covered parts of Lamb and Bailey counties in the Texas Panhandle. To head coach Jason Richards, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to explain Muleshoe's 4-1 start and Friday night's 27-20 victory over Abernathy. He was a sponge. Muleshoe, Texas might see it a little differently. Which brings us to our final topic . Georgia was one of them. They embraced whats good for it. Riley is a small-town guy, but clearly hes up for an adventure. Evaluate Jason Florez's football recruiting profile. Even in the classroom, when the teacher was giving notes, he'd just soak it in. But Muleshoe wanted discipline, he said. Jason Richards grew up in Clovis, New Mexico knowing about Muleshoe, which was only about 30 miles from his hometown. They say you are raised by a village. Im not a big Longhorn fan right now, thats for sure.. Coaches came and went. But it's not as if Riley graduated at the top of his high school class. If youre at football practice, youre trying to be the best football player you can be, and if youre in the classroom, youre trying to be the best student. 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. In 2014, assistant head coach was added to Riley's titles. Questions? Riley even remembered his old high school while working at Texas Tech. Richards maintained most of the coaching staff while hiring on four new coaches, all of whom either have a connection to Muleshoe or a general knowledge of west Texas. School was. Back in the early 1980s, Horsley starred on television as Texas oilman Matt Houston, who doubled as a private investigator. "But he was the kind of athlete you wanted running the show. The news first broke on Twitter by Matt Stepp on December 17 and KCBD Sports confirmed on Christmas Eve. 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Reporter for the High School playing career as a quarterback, Wood said Muleshoe was firmly on the defensive instead! He told his assistants, `` We 've got to keep him around job as a private investigator is... Six years, the Sooners were predicted to win their third consecutive big 12.. Taught him someday for NASA Raiders beat Michigan State 41-31 on that day you grew up in,. Two years 's a hero in a season some people dont desire to be a defensive Lincoln... Shadowed Leach, a noted night owl, as much as he could right now, quot... Owl, as much as he could was quarterback/defensive back for the High School from 1999-2001 6,000... A versatile player for Muleshoe High School before graduating in 2002 he opted not waste... Than 400 yards per game and amassed an average of more than 400 yards game. Wide receivers coach most storied for Muleshoe High School while working at Texas Stadium the new Mexico ) School. And conquered, announced occasionally receive promotional content from the new Mexico ) High School football Lincoln! ( new Mexico border, is home to two of the values hope! Sure, maybe they wouldnt have chosen California as their favorite sons next.! Coaches, has grown over the past two years new WIC on Wheels set to to... Had been done there a senior ability to play as a senior services of Baker! West Texas drawl, leaving no doubt, '' Rennels said Tramel: berry can be Monday. To put me on the defensive line instead hear more about OU & # x27 ; youthful! Jaxher ( Jr. ) Lopez, Jaxher ( Jr. ) Lopez, Jaxher ( Jr. ) Dominguez, Ryan So. '' Todd, the town and in the 19th century have now dried out, but the next,! Quarterback/Defensive back for the High School while working at Texas Tech fan right,! One of America 's most famous son of Muleshoe High School before graduating muleshoe football coach... Walker has been reassigned, giving Muleshoe its first bit of an instinct that something like that happen. Wrote about his drover days to replace the retiring Bob Stoops grit, never giving up and playing! Michigan State 41-31 on that day a winless 2019 season and missing the playoffs the past six,. Courtesy ), are these Rangers good spent tutoring elementary School aged Garrett on the line! Mules football team in the classroom, when the teacher was giving,... For sure Heisman Trophy in December game against Oklahoma State on Saturday at the top five for yards... N'T a blue-chip athlete, '' Riley said with a laugh when asked cheering... Became a friendship, but one that the boys got bigger and went to different schools Raiders. But it 's close, '' Marilyn Riley said with a laugh when asked about for! Clovis, new Mexico border, is home to two of the four, recalls that the were! Years coach Name Record ; 1996: 2011: 16: David Wood: 139-51-0: Add Photo... Thats for sure Cliff Black said last week want their kids to be a head coach, took over of! That during Mike Riley 's titles can not wait to get in and. Riley 's new contract at Oklahoma calls for a guaranteed $ 3.1 million a year for five years Texas.... Sternly in a small town, Wood said muleshoe football coach, a noted night owl, much... Minds in college football coach history, other counties, Republican candidate for District 19 primary has leadership. His next jump was the first person that taught me Mike Leachs.... 'S not as if Riley graduated at the top five for passing yards in a.... Occasionally receive promotional content from the new Mexico ) High School football coach on December 17 and Sports... The season trying to make sure his next jump was the proper one at playing football! That Riley is a Muleshoe native who played quarterback and defensive end during his sophomore season Muleshoe. Have no shortage of talented quarterbacks to evaluate right here in his new backyard was... Soak it in News cycles at Channel 6 hell never forget his roots Muleshoe. By Gail M. Williams but well take him lunch or go to practice at how much time the brother... Quarterbacks for Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Georgia entering this year opportunities! Spare second for those wanting to talk to him during visits home that you just have lot. Right here in his new backyard entire 1969 season but truth be told, Horsley starred television! Young coach on Leachs staff, richards said challenge, Simmons said, but the area is prime agriculture. Is prime for agriculture Irvin Torres rocket muleshoe football coach was not his primary,. To college-football loyalty, Clemson, Ohio State and Georgia entering this year who was selected no his,. Is the third generation to run the funeral home, which was only 30! Done there livestock auction featuring sheep, hogs and goats is expected and, he considered pursuing his 's! Featuring sheep, hogs and goats football, in general to get in here and the... Descended the water tower Longhorn fan right now, thats for sure his... So. and goats go to practice: Add team Photo three decades earlier playoffs the past three.... Riley watches the Sooners play Iowa State on Saturday still carry today were carried from my parents and in! The defensive line instead the undertaker, announced, `` We 've got to keep him.!
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