Rider became Miami University's head coach for the 1917 and 1918 seasons because George Little was serving in the armed forces during World War I. In his two years he never lost a game and won back to back Ohio Athletic Conference championships. His 1917 football team outscored its opponents 202–0. This team went 6–0–2 with the only blemishes being scoreless ties with both Kentucky and Wooster. Rider's second season was just as successful with his team going 5–0–1. However, games against Kentucky, Wooster, and Wittenberg were canceled due to the flu pandemic. Rider stepped down when George Little returned to Oxford from World War I.
Rider became Miami University's head coach for the 1917 and 1918 seasons because George Little was serving in the armed forces during World War I. In his two years he never lost a game and won back to back Ohio Athletic Conference championships. His 1917 football team outscored its opponents 202–0. This team went 6–0–2 with the only blemishes being scoreless ties with both Kentucky and Wooster. Rider's second season was just as successful with his team going 5–0–1. However, games against Kentucky, Wooster, and Wittenberg were canceled due to the flu pandemic. Rider stepped down when George Little returned to Oxford from World War I.
