It’s a Wild Day in Life, and for Wife, of Riley

After a day of rumors and counter-rumors about his future, Charger Coach Mike Riley said Wednesday night that “everything is status quo,” adding quickly “as far as I know.”

The rumors hit a fever pitch when Charger broadcaster Ted Leitner, in his nightly report for the CBS affiliate, said that Riley would be fired within hours.

Riley said his wife broke the news to him when he called home during a break from scanning game films: “I thought she was kidding. It took me a long time to realize she wasn’t kidding.”

Riley, a contender for the USC vacancy, said he spoke within minutes to Charger official Ed McGuire.

“Ed just totally denied anything [was] going on,” Riley said on KFMB (760). “So I guess my status is: I’m coaching the team.”

As he has throughout the will-he-go-or-will-he-stay saga, the low-key, deferential Riley said he will be talking soon to Charger President Dean Spanos to clarify whether the Chargers want him back next season.

“Dean and I will be having discussions about our team and where we’re going,” Riley said. “He’s the evaluator. We can’t have this [1-13] situation again.”

Spanos has refused to commit to bringing Riley back and also shown no interest in stepping aside so USC can openly contact Riley with an offer.

There have been several local reports in recent days that USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett is on the verge of offering the job to Riley.

But while broadcaster Leitner was reporting that Riley would be sacked before the evening was out, CBS SportsLine.com reported that the USC job had been offered to Pete Carroll, the former New England Patriot coach. USC declined to confirm that report.

Even with the Carroll rumor in the air, Riley declined an entreaty by San Diego reporters to take himself out of contention for the USC job.

“I’m at peace at whatever goes on,” Riley said. “I’m just pleased to get this team ready for Carolina.”

He declined to predict the future, except that there will doubtless be more rumors before his future and that of the USC job is settled.

“Who knows what we’re going to hear in the next 24, 48, 72 hours?” he said with a laugh. “There’s been a lot of stuff coming out in the past week.”