Washington State University President Kirk Schulz, left, listens while David Riley speaks at a press conference where he was introduced as the men's basketball coach on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Gesa Field in Pullman. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
Washington State University head men's basketball David Riley, left, talks with President Kirk Schulz, center and Glenn Johnson on Thursday, April 4, 2024, after a press conference at Gesa Field in Pullman. Johnson is a former mayor or Pullman, retired WSU professor and is the announcer for the men's basketball games. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
David Riley, center,arrives at a press conference where he was introduced as the Washington State University head men's basketball coach on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during a press conference at Gesa Field in Pullman. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
David Riley speaks at a press conference after he was introduced as the new Washington State University men's basketball coach on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Gesa Field in Pullman. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
Washington State head football coach Jake Dickert, left, cheers for David Riley at a press conference where he was introduced as the head men's basketball coach on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during a press conference at Gesa Field in Pullman. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
David Riley, center, arrives at a press conference where he was introduced as the Washington State University head men's basketball coach on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during a press conference at Gesa Field in Pullman. Riley was accompanied by his wife, Emily Riley (left), and WSU President Kirk Schulz. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
Washington State University speaks at a press conference where David Riley was introduced as the WSU head men's basketball coach on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Gesa Field in Pullman. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
David Riley, right, listens while interim athletic director Anne MCoy speaks at a press conference where he was introduced as the Washington State University head men's basketball coach on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Gesa Field in Pullman. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
David Riley, right, and President Kirk Schulz, center, listen while interim athletic director Anne McCoy speaks at a press conference where Riley was introduced as the Washington State University head men's basketball coach on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Gesa Field in Pullman. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
Washington State University President Kirk Schulz, right, listens while David Riley speaks at a press conference where he was introduced as the men's basketball coach on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Gesa Field in Pullman. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
David Riley speaks at a news conference Thursday in Pullman after he was introduced as the new Washington State men’s basketball head coach. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
David Riley speaks at a press conference after he was introduced as the new Washington State University men's basketball coach on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Gesa Field in Pullman. Members of the basketball team are seated in the front row. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
Washington State basketball players, including Jaylen Wells (left) and Isaiah Watts (white shirt) wait for David Riley to arrive at a press conference where he was introduced as the Washington State University head men's basketball coach on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Gesa Field in Pullman. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
David Riley speaks at a press conference after he was introduced as the new Washington State University men's basketball coach on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Gesa Field in Pullman. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
Washington State University President Kirk Schulz, right, listens while David Riley speaks at a press conference where he was introduced as the men's basketball coach on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Gesa Field in Pullman. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
WSU President Kirk Schulz, left, listens Thursday while David Riley speaks after being introduced as the men’s basketball coach. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
The scoreboard at Gesa Field welcomes Washington State University head basketball coach David Riley, and his wife, Emily Riley, on Thursday, April 4, 2024, before a conference in Pullman. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
Washington State University President Kirk Schulz, left, and interim athletic director Anne McCoy, right, listen while David Riley speaks at a press conference where he was introduced as the men's basketball coach on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Gesa Field in Pullman. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
Washington State University head men's basketball coach David Riley and his wife, Emily Riley, pose with Butch the Cougar on Thursday, April 4, 2024, during a press conference at Gesa Field in Pullman. (Geoff Crimmins/For The Spokesman-Review)
PULLMAN – Days before David Riley took the head coaching job at Washington State, before he made the 90-minute drive from Cheney for his introduction on Thursday, his job became dramatically tougher.