Conor Riley embraces his role as Kansas State football’s interim offensive coordinator

ORLANDO, Fla. — Ask Kansas State football center Hayden Gillum what makes Conor Riley an effective coach and he doesn’t hesitate.

“I think no matter where you have coach Riley, if he’s the head coach or being an equipment manager, he’s going to give his all, and that’s something that we know we’ll get with him as coordinator,” Gillum said of Riley, his position coach for the past five years, but this week also the Wildcats’ interim offensive coordinator when they take on North Carolina State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. “He is always 100% devoted.

“He’s going to give everything he has. He’s going to pour everything into it. I think I’ve seen his car up at the complex just nonstop the whole time, so we know he’ll do a great job and we have a lot of faith in him.”

And it is not just Gillum and a veteran offensive line that believes in Riley. When offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Collin Klein left a couple of weeks ago for a similar position at Texas A&M, head coach Chris Klieman quickly turned to his most senior assistant.

Related: Kansas State football offensive coordinator Collin Klein headed to Texas A&M

K-State’s coach Conor Riley directs the offensive line during the game against Southern Illinois at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas on September 11, 2021.

“Conor has been around me the longest, dating back to our days as assistants together,” said Klieman, who five years ago brought Riley with him from North Dakota State, where they were part of multiple FCS national championships. “And I feel it’s his opportunity to be out in front of the guys because he’s out in front of the guys anyway from an o-line run game standpoint.

“Now I’m excited for him to get out in front of the group as a leader for these two weeks.”

Riley spent six years at North Dakota State, the last five under Klieman before…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/conor-riley-embraces-role-kansas-134307158.html

Author : The Topeka Capital-Journal

Publish date : 2023-12-26 13:43:07

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.