Rapid Reaction: Riley 'surprised, saddened' by Eichorst firing; will lean on his experience

Nebraska head coach Mike Riley during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017.

Nebraska football coach Mike Riley said Thursday he was told personally of Shawn Eichorst's firing by UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green and President Hank Bounds.

Riley was given the news separately from the rest of NU's head coaches, who found out in a meeting early Thursday afternoon.

"I was taken aback, surprise,d and was flat-out saddened by the whole deal," Riley said after Thursday's practice. "I really, really enjoyed working with Shawn. Besides being a good man, I think he had everybody's best interests at heart — coaches and student-athletes.