RILEY HEADED TO OREGON STATE.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

USC offensive coordinator Mike Riley, who endured heavy criticism inside and outside the athletic department this past season, has accepted the head coaching position at Oregon State, according to several sources.

He was en route to Corvallis, Ore., on Monday and could not be reached for comment.

Riley, 43, was selected over UCLA defensive coordinator Rocky Long and Oregon State offensive coordinator Denny Schuler.

One of the leading candidates to replace Riley as offensive coordinator is USC wide receivers coach Mike Sanford, a former Trojan player and assistant since 1988. Sanford was set to replace Riley as offensive coordinator in 1994, when Riley was a finalist for the Vanderbilt job.

In his first three years at USC, Riley had been recognized as one of the nation's bright young offensive coaches. The Trojans were at or near the top of the Pacific-10 Conference offensive statistics and led the conference in offense in 1995.

Riley received a raise following the 1994 season, after nearly being hired by Vanderbilt.

But last season, the USC offense struggled, with quarterback Brad Otton the only returning full-time starter.

Riley became a natural target. Athletic director Mike Garrett privately expressed displeasure with Riley's performance, and there was considerable speculation that Riley would be fired following the Notre Dame game.

However, the Trojans upset the 10th-ranked Irish, and USC coach John Robinson was given a vote of confidence and the ability to retain his entire coaching staff by university president Steven Sample.

The situation only made the Oregon State job more attractive for Riley, who led Corvallis High School to the state championship in 1970.

His father was also an assistant at Oregon State in the 1970s.

Even if Riley had not gotten the Oregon State job, he was considering an offer from new Alabama coach Mike DuBose to become the Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator.