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Show Page 5 e August 29, 1 979 Sporfstacular Hes a real man -- this Riehlman In twenty-thre- e previous years of coaching, Weber's veteran coach has had an enviable record. He has taken five different football programs and built them into championship squads. In none of the five programs had any of those teams won more than three games the year prior to Petes arrival on the scene. In each case, within no more than three years, he had turned them into leaguechampions. Riehlman came to Weber State following a 9 season. And 1979 will be his third year directing the Wildcat football fortunes. Standing between Riehlman and his pattern of success is one of the most challenging years in Wildcat football history. An almost complete changeover in coaching staff, the loss of several nationally-regarde- d players, and one of the most difficult schedules ever are just three of the problems that IRiehlman will face this season. But folks who have worked with, and against, Riehlman aren't betting that the string will be broken. Pete is, pure and simply, a winner. His secret is no secret at all, but just a combination skill', preparation, knowledge of the game and the players, discipline, and lots and lots of hard work. An outstanding athlete himself, Pete played at Eastern Arizona Junior College and the moved on to the University of Utah where he was a regular for his final two seasons. He began his coaching career almost immediately after graduation when he worked with the 1956 Utah freshman team, serving as the line coach for the baby Utes. The following year he added his name to the roster of men who have been selected as head coaches. The entry level was modest, though, to say the least. Petes e first head job was at probably the lowest level n of organized football as head of the squad at Battle Mountain, Nevada. But Riehlman was on the way up. The following season Riehlman moved to Los Altos, California, as football and wrestling coach. The next four years were spent as head coach at San Lorenzo High School, also in California. Beginning with the 1963 season, Pete went back into the collegiate coaching ranks at University of California, Santa Barbara a job that renewed h is association with his former college mentor from the University of Utah, Jack Curtice. At Santa Barbara Riehlman was the Head Assistant Coach and Defensive Coordinator. During his term at Santa Barbara, he was associated with two Bowl teams, coaching the 1965 Camillia Bowl 2-- full-tim- six-ma- hi After last years PCAA cochampionship (the first season in the league) no one doubts Utah State University football is back. The logical question is, How long will it stay? One time USC assistant Bruce Snyder has annually upgraded the program from a 8 season his first year, to a 7 mark the 3-- 4-- second year, and then last record. seasons 7-- 4 Aggie football for 1979 is in old good shape, said the USU head coach. We spent 20 spring practices looking for an offensive line, working to stabilize our performance in the secondary and planning to add to the versatility of our passing game. I think we have a chance at being a better football team than we were a year ago.. That would seen to be a king-size- d ar order, considering the USD'S newest additions to the schedule: Nebraska and Arizona State. (The coach admits the won-los- s ratio my not reflect the improvement.) But generally the numbers support Snyders contentions, return from last years PCAA co17 champs: defensively. While on offense and 14 Snyders system allowed virtually all of those lettermen extensive playing time, roughly a third of them would be con- starters: defensive tackles Rukm Jones and Pat Cornelius, nose guard Kelly Dave Kirwan, linebackers sidered England and Elwood Threlfall, comerbacks Donnie Henderson and Larry Hogue, quarterback Eric Hippie, guard Mike French and fullback Greg Martin. At tailback Rick Parros and Jerry Copeny shared the position. Also, squad and the 1967 Potato Bowl College Division Shrine r game. In 1969, Pete moved upwards once again to take his first collegiate head job, at Chico State University. There, as at Weber State, Pete was faced with a major job of rebuilding. He responded in typical fashion, turning a 5 mark his first year, then improving to a 1 record and a second-plac- e conference finish his second season. stint at Chico State resulted His successful six-yein a 8 record, three conference a year as the NCAA College Division II Western Football Champion, a visit to the national championship game for the College Division in the Camillia Bowl, and an award as the conference Coach-of-th- e Year. All-Sta- . 9-- 5-- ar 42-1- Clearly, Pete Riehlman had made his mark in the coaching world. So much, so, that he was called from the campus by the professionals and following the 1973 season, Riehlman joined the Hawaii franchise of the World Football League where he was the offensive line coach and kicking game coach for the Hawaiians. Prior to coming to WeDer State he was on the staff at Chico State, and maintained his excellent connections in the professional leagues by serving as a pro scout for a combine of five NFL clubs: the Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, St. Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, and New England Patriots. His first two seasons at Weber State were as remarkable as they were, in many ways, frustrating. The Cats turned in 6 and 7 records in those two campaigns, but were much better teams than the record books indicate. Riehlmans Wildcats dominated league statistics in several categories each season, and were well up in national statistics as well. Several Wildcat athletes were named by vote of the coaches to the all league team in each season. But the ball took funny bounces, and for a coach that believes in work rather than luck, it was often frustrating. It is Pete's way to think of every season as the most important, and this weeks game as the key contest. With 23 seasons of coaching behind nun, a 1 record as a head collegiate coach, and almost unlimited ability and energy to devote to the task at hand he is well equipped to face the many challenges of the 1979 season. And while he'll be the first to disclaim that this third Wilcat team will be his first champion at Weber State, there's always the possibility especially if some of those bounces start going his way. 4-- 4-- -- 50-3- Can Aggies repeat? that bunch doesn't include two of the nations best specialists: placement man Steve Steinke and punter Guy McClure. Our line will be smaller, but quicker and stronger, said Snyder. I believe the starters will be as effective as last years group. Its just that were only one across with proven athletes at a couple of those spots; depth is a concern. Guard Mike French, a logical, all PCAA candidate, is the only returning starter" up front but veterans Mike Glenn, Mike Fosmark, and Rick Stachon are available, too. Fosmark will be a junior who played his high school ball at Roy High. Defensively, Snyder considers the interior performers Jones and his mates Kirwan and Cornelius to be the leaders of the squad. Theyre tough and talented and they know what they have to do, said the head coach, These are the kind of guys who win championships. Again, though, the depth here is a problem. The Aggie defensive alignment utilizes two outside linebackers and two inside; three of the four starters of a year ago graduated and only Elwood Threlfall returns as a starter. But both Perry Drake and Dennis DeLoach are capable athletes opposite the veteran Thelfall and Snyder feels good about the outside group: Dave England, David Bluford, Brett Ure and Ken Ciancone. With no major college experience to their credit before 1978, Snyder admits comerbacks Donnie Henderson and Larry Hogue were thrown into the lurch late last year. But both of these starters are back, battle wise and greatly improved and Snyder likes what he sees here. Two of the club's best defenders in 1978 were free safety Dave Parkin and strong safety Scott Tillotson. Both have graduated and their replacements for now - A1 Salvo and Glen Rigsbee have a pair of tough acts to follow. The kickers, too, will be hard pressed to improve on last years The catch, performance. however, is that Steve Steinke and Guy McClure return to take up where they left off a year ago and they have only themselves to blame for such a high standard of excellence. Steinkes 18 of 24 field goal record makes him the nation's top returnee in that category. Meanwhile, McClure's 43.0 yards a punt average was ninth nationally |