Posted by: Josh Kendall on November 16, 2012

Mike Riley has been where Jeff Tedford is this week.

As Riley's Oregon State Beavers get ready to play Tedford's Cal Bears on Saturday, Tedford's job status hangs in the balance.

"When you are in long enough, you empathize with the coaching profession," Riley said after Thursday's practice. "I have a lot of respect for this business. I know how it goes. Anybody that has played or coached for any period of time, there is a cycle of life. It's not always exactly as you would plan it."

Tedford will meet with Cal athletic director Sandy Barbour the day after the game to discuss his future at the school. Oregon State can offer an example for Tedford to point to in that meeting with Barbour.

Riley was 3-9 last year but has the Beavers 7-2 this year. He tried to throw Tedford a lifeline Thursday when discussing what he sees from the Bears, who are 3-8 this season.

"It's an impressive group," he said. "Sometimes you go through a cycle of life where the wins don't come, but there's a lot of good football, and you can tell there's a lot of good football coaching. They had a real good scheme and did a real nice job (against Oregon)."

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Josh Kendall is a staff writer for CoachingSearch.com and has covered the SEC for more than 15 years for papers such as the Athens Banner-Herald, Macon Telegraph, and The State. He’s the father of two boys who he’s hoping don’t inherit his wide receiver frame and offensive guard feet. Follow @EyeOnCoaches on twitter and send your feedback to josh@coachingsearch.com