Riley’s Waiting Game Continues

Only one thing seems clear after San Diego Charger Coach Mike Riley met with team President Dean Spanos in a Baltimore hotel Saturday.

If the undecided Riley is to become the next USC football coach, the university must make the next move.

Riley was still said to be waffling, the twisting of a man unsure about changing jobs.

With nothing concrete on the table, Spanos was not compelled to announce if he would release Riley from the final three years of his contract with the Chargers.

Only USC, it seems, can force the issue by handing Riley a contract. As of Saturday evening, however, that had not happened.

It is unclear why USC has hesitated with a coach it has publicly courted. Some sources say Athletic Director Mike Garrett--already spurned by Oregon State Coach Dennis Erickson and Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti--does not want another rejection.

University officials know they need Spanos’ permission to hire the coach. Spanos has not given any hint of his inclination, and that did not change Saturday.

“The subject of another job came up, but that part of it is confidential,” Riley said after the meeting. “You’ll have to talk to Dean if you want any of that.”

Even if the Charger executive were to give his blessing, there is no guarantee Riley would make the jump.

On one hand, he is clearly excited by the prospect of taking over the Trojan football program. A new job would mean a new contract of five years or longer, not to mention a raise from his current salary of $750,000 a year.

On the other hand, he wants to stay in San Diego out of loyalty to his players. Moreover, he worries about uprooting his wife and teenage children.

Confidantes say the more time passes, the more difficult the decision becomes.

It has been almost a week since Riley emerged as a leading candidate for the USC opening. He has met with Garrett to discuss his interest but there has been no talk of salary.

There could be another reason for the delay: sources say Garrett is considering other prospects.

In the last few days, former NFL coach Pete Carroll appears to have gone from longshot to contender.

Carroll has no head coaching experience in college and no USC ties, though he was defensive coordinator for the New York Jets in 1990, the same season USC Associate Athletic Director Daryl Gross was a scout for the team.

Carroll recently interviewed for the job.

Also gaining support is Colorado State Coach Sonny Lubick.

“I think he’d be an excellent choice,” said USC defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, who worked with Lubick at Miami.

“The best thing that Coach Lubick brings . . . the players play for him,” he said. “I’m not saying he’s an easy guy, but he has a way of getting to players. They like and respect him.”

At the same time, there have been rumblings that Garrett has an ace up his sleeve, that he is quietly pursuing a big-name coach. Mention of everyone from Seattle Seahawk Coach Mike Holmgren to the retired Jimmy Johnson has popped up in the media.

Garrett reportedly traveled to New York this weekend--people around the athletic department say the 1965 Heisman Trophy winner always attends the presentation--which put him in close proximity with another focus of speculation, Joe Tiller of Purdue, accompanying quarterback Drew Brees to the ceremony.

But for all the guesswork, Riley remains that most talked about prospect. The earliest anything might happen is tonight, after the Chargers play the Ravens. The question is, will USC pop the question?