Is Riley's contract fair to Beaver fans?

If, as a member of Beaver Nation, you have yet to hear about John Canzano's article regarding Coach Riley, allow me to give you a quick summation: though he can find no fault in coaching or recruiting, Canzano wonders if Riley's "lifetime contract" has affected the coach like it does most NBA free agents after they sign a multi-year deal.  In essence, does giving Riley security (through a guaranteed contract extension of one year for every 6 win season) create complacency?  

Now, before too many Beaver Believers get riled up, Canzano does bring up some valid arguments that should cause us all ponder: win total in the years pre-"lifetime" contact: 10, 9, 9, 8; Pac-12 record post contract: 18-22 (including 1-8 in the last 9 games).  His likening that sweet of a deal to what happens when any free agent not named Bryant signs a big deal, well, let's just say that there is evidence abound in EVERY sport.  The truth is that all but the most driven of competitors would lose a least a little of their drive when what they have been chasing is suddenly secured.  As sad as this fact may be, loyalty to team no longer exist.  Instead, the only true loyalty we regularly see is to self.

I contemplated this while arguing whether Riley is good or bad for OSU with some friends and ultimately came to understand that Riley, so long as he keeps the Beavers bowl eligible, is good for Corvallis.  You see, if you lived here during the tenure of the Erickson days you probably recall with fondness what it felt like to win week in and week out, but I wonder if you remember that he went 5-6 the next season when most of Riley's recruits were gone?  His 8-5 record the year after that?  Riley matched it upon his return.  

You see, Erickson was a high profile coach like many Beaver fans are currently coveting.  He understood that to "win now" he had to bring in JC transfers.  But how well did this work?  More important, can you recall how the attempts to appease this athlete changed the landscape of Corvallis?   

 

We know the type of kid Riley recruits, and their potential level (as evidenced by the 37 ex-Beavers playing in the NFL recently).  How he finds these kids, especially knowing very few will ever come from an inner city (small town Corvallis doesn't quite have the same appeal) sets him and his staff apart.  I will agree with Canzano though, it would take a rare competitor to keep battling when the carrot is removed from the end of the stick and placed so readily at their feet.  

Here's hoping Riley remains diligent and that his passion to produce wins stays as fueled as his passion to create good men.  If not, I for one hope that the OSU administration recognizes the changing landscape as well as its town did.