If there was ever a prototype defensive guard of the John Thompson era --tough, discliplined, always prepared-- it may have started with Mike Riley, who helped build the strength of the backcourt over four seasons and them served to teach two generations of those that followed.

A lifelong resident of the District of Columbia, Riley played guard at Cardozo HS, graduating in 1971. Riley had no major college offers, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Holland in the Mediterranean Sea. John Thompson didn't forget Riley, however, and offered him a scholarship to return to Washington after three years in military service.

A reserve guard for his first two years at Georgetown, Riley played in 54 of the team's first 58 games, averaging 2.9 and 3.6 points per game, with big games down the stretch as Georgetown earned its 1975 ECAC-South title and NCAA bid. Riley quickly became the assists leader for the team, finishing his career with 314, second all-time up to that date. Riley also filled a valuable role in those games where Derrick Jackson was felled by illness late in the 1976-77 and 1977-78 season, including the 1978 win in the NIT over Virginia. While his 2.5 points per game was less than many on the team, scoring was not his primary role but to serve as a defensive leader, one he did consistently and with distinction.

After graduation, Riley served at St. Augustine's School and was an assistant headmaster and basketball coach at Gonzaga College HS. In 1982, Riley and fellow classmate Craig Esherick joined the staff of John Thompson in 1982 following the departures of Bill Stein and Eddie Meyers. Over 17 years under Thompson and five under Esherick, Riley was the defensive architect of the Hoyas through its most productive era. Riley's 22 years is the longest tenure of any assistant coach in Georgetown basketball history.

Riley retired from Georgetown following Craig Esherick's departure in 2004, and was named as Associate Director of Athletics for Internal Operations at the University of the District of Columbia in 2009. Four years later, Riley was named its head basketball coach.

"We will recruit young men that will work hard and intelligently in the classroom and on the basketball court. We will be positive citizens on campus and in the community. We will represent the Firebird family well in all that we do," Riley said.

It's one of the few public quotes out there for Riley, a player who let his results do the talking.