we'll probably never know
Riley was just plain soft, not just practices. The practices were just what folks saw and reported on.
the PAC is not the B1G, might be able to survive with soft in the PAC.
Being soft on 18-22 year old men is not a way to succeed.
Some kids don't have the self discipline to do the right things to succeed. Such as go to practice, practice the right way when they get there, study the playbook, get to the weight room, hard out while yer there, eat right, get your sleep, go to class, study for exams.
Riley let all of that slide.