WSU hires David Riley as 20th basketball coach

PULLMAN - After the departure of Kyle Smith, the five-year head coach for Washington State University (WSU) men's basketball, the university has hired David Riley.

Riley comes from coaching at Eastern Washington University (EWU), where he coached the previous three seasons for the Eagles. Riley coached EWU to a 62-38 total record, with back-to-back Big Sky conference titles, as well as Coach of the Year honors.

The Eagles had a 21-11 record last season, including a regular season title.

Riley was the head coach at EWU for three seasons, but was in the program for 13 years. He started in 2011 as a director of basketball operations, before six years of being an assistant coach for two different head coaches before holding the reigns these past three seasons.

Riley graduated from Whitworth University in 2011. He earned a degree in mathematical economics, and a Master's in physical education in 2013 from EWU. Riley played basketball for Whitworth, where he started 112 of 114 games in his three years. He currently holds a record for fourth-most points at Whitworth.

Heading into last season, Riley was the fourth-youngest head coach in Division 1 basketball for the 2023-24 season.

In 2023, the Eagles basketball team competed in the National Basketball Invitational (NIT) tournament, where they took down WSU in the first round, earning the Eagle's second postseason win in program history.

According to NCAA.com, last season the Eagles ranked 28th in the nation for total points per game with 80.8. Alabama was first with 90.6. The Eagles were 13th in the nation in assists per game with 17.6, and were 30th in bench points per game with 26.69.

Riley likes to run a fast offensive scheme, while taking quality shots to maximize production, which shows, as EWU were fourth in the nation for team field goal percentage at 50.14. Wright State was first with a field goal percentage of 53.03.

Riley will have his work cut out for him to begin his first season at WSU.

WSU will play at least their next two basketball seasons in the West Coast Conference (WCC). The conference is led by Gonzaga and Saint Mary's.

Of the team Riley is inheriting from Smith, Isaiah Watts, Parker Gerrits, and Spencer Mahoney are the only players from last season currently on the roster. Watts was the only player of the three who played any minutes at all last season.

Jaylen Wells is currently not officially on the WSU roster, as he announced on social media his intent to enter the NBA Draft. However, he is still maintaining collegiate eligibility, meaning he could return to WSU if he does not like what the draft process offers him.

Although Riley can attempt to retain any of the 10 current outgoing transfers, many do not seem likely to return.

Evan Stinson was one of two WSU incoming freshman from the 2024 class. The Cheney high school standout has since withdrawn his commitment from WSU, and will head to Stanford with Smith, leaving one current incoming freshman for WSU for the 2024-25 season.

The other 2024 graduating senior who announced his commitment to WSU was Marcus Wilson. Wilson announced his intent to stick to his commitment to WSU, and will join the program in June to begin preparations for his first collegiate season during next season.

Wilson is a 6-3, 180-pound point guard, who will join the Cougs from Arizona, where he played high school basketball.

Possible EWU players Riley could bring with him include Cedric Coward and Casey Jones.

Coward averaged 15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 54 total assists. Jones averaged 12.6 points and 4.4 rebounds.

Riley and WSU will work quick to rebuild their roster and coaching staff.

At the time of production, Riley is the only official coach on the roster.