Mike Riley hires Keith Heyward as Cornerback Coach, Gundy coming back

Heyward was a four-year letterman (1997-2000) at cornerback for Oregon State after being recruited by Riley out of Taft High School in Woodland Hills, Calif. During his Beaver career he started 35 consecutive games, including the 2001 Fiesta Bowl. He was named the program's Rookie of the Year in Riley's first season at OSU in 1997 and at the conclusion of his senior year he was selected Pac-10 Conference Honorable Mention. For his career he made 88 tackles, accumulated 23 pass breakups and had five pass interceptions.

"It's really a dream to come back to my alma mater and work with such a great coaching staff," Heyward said. "To think just a little more than 10 years ago I was first setting foot on the OSU campus as a freshman to now being a full-time assistant coach - it's hard to put into words the gratitude I have for Coach Riley and the people who make up Oregon State University."

The 28-year-old graduated from OSU with a bachelor's degree in speech communication in 2001. He also has professional football experience, playing for the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League, the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe and the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League. Heyward also was in the preseason camps of the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.