NORFOLK, Va., June 12, 2020 -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) mourns the passing of Ken Riley, former Florida A&M football standout and former head coach and athletics director, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 72.
“Ken Riley was the consummate professional,” MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas said. “Ken was not only an All-American quarterback, an All-Pro defensive back, and an excellent football coach and director of athletics, he was a good man and a friend. I give the MEAC’s heartfelt condolences to the Riley family.”
Riley was a four-year starting quarterback at Florida A&M and a Rhodes Scholar candidate. In addition, he was the senior class president in both high school and college.
Riley’s football career didn’t end in Tallahassee, Fla., as he was selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft in 1969, going 135th overall to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Riley, who had a stellar 15-year professional career for the Bengals (1969-83), was converted to cornerback in training camp by legendary coach Paul Brown. During his rookie season, he racked up four interceptions and returned 14 kickoffs for an average of 23.9 yards per return. He also caught two passes.
Riley recorded 65 interceptions in his career, which was the fourth-most in NFL history at the time of his retirement and is currently fifth on that list. In his 15 seasons, Riley, who rarely missed a game, recorded three or more interceptions in all but three years.
After his professional career ended, Riley spent two years as an assistant coach for the Green Bay Packers. In 1986, Riley took over the head coaching duties at his alma mater. From 1986-93, Riley compiled a 48-39-2 record and won two MEAC championships (1988, 1990). He was named MEAC Coach of the Year in the Rattlers’ two championship seasons.
Riley served as Director of Athletics from 1993-2004, during which time the Rattlers won 46 MEAC Championships over the various sports and was inducted into the FAMU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1977, before retiring in Bartow, Fla.
About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) celebrates its 50th year with the 2020-21 academic school year. Located in Norfolk, Va., the MEAC is made up of 11 outstanding historically black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Bethune-Cookman University, Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University and South Carolina State University.