|
Post by brophy on Oct 22, 2007 14:44:14 GMT -6
Regardless, it is going to come down to WINNING, like airman said.
If they get Bill Parcells, Bobby Bowden, Tommie Frazier........what does it matter, so long as they win?
And HOW are ANY of those guys going to do it in Lincoln? I happen to think that the teams of the 90's were a special type. I mean, it was at the end of the Big 8........it was the mecca of Option football at the time, where you could legitimately get away with only running 4 or 5 passes in a game....an era when speed was becoming more and more of a factor in the college game...and the aerial attacks were getting more and more involved, trying to appeal to the fans and the pro game 'recruiting' / draft.....
Why go to Lincoln? You're in the middle-of-nowhere, it is cold, it is flat, there isn't anything culturally stimulating for a 19-20 year old to identify with......
It would have to be, IMO, more than tradition. What kind of kids are you going to get from the recruiting pipeline in the MidWest?
The question is....WHAT, specfically, is the new HC going to have to do to Turn Nebraska around?
** - while I cannot argue Callahan's lack of 'success' at NU, I actually like the coach. What he attempts to do on offense, I find fascinating, working for matchups, etc. Also, I have never been a fan of 'dog-piling' other coaches....if a guy rubs you the wrong way, you don't like his personality, fine....whatever, but I take no comfort in a guy getting canned.
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Oct 22, 2007 15:11:28 GMT -6
how much of the 'search' is realistic and how much is rhetoric?
meaning, just like the Chicago Bears and their troubles trying to replace DITKA....they got a PA clone in Wanny who was the DC du jour at the time...he FIT the "look" as if to appease the fan-base. Dave McGinnis fiasco to appease the 85'ers............then when Jauron left, the names of Singletary, Frazier, and Rivera were thrown out to restore the Super Bowl Shuffle....as if a NAME could rekindle past performances.
I ask, because does the PAST "GLORY" prevent future success, because many want to recreate the memories of yesterday out of an emotional need?
Do the names of Gill & Bohl somehow seem legitimate, not because of what they have done as coaches, but because of the emotion tied to their performances as Huskers?
(bring on Trev Alberts and Tommie Frazier)
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Oct 22, 2007 15:20:49 GMT -6
exactly, dave. (foreword - and I am joining this discussion, because it is interesting, and you are passionate about it, good on ya, I'm not trying to make any of my observations personal to YOU or be acerbic in my tone...........)
But does the Glory of option, Assembly Line, offense of the Treu's, Zatecha's, Stai's, Mackovickas, etc..... slow down the REALITY of the game today? Where are you going to find these mammoth Olinemen? Where are you going to find stud speedsters who will come to an offense that will only showcase only one side of the facets they hope to parlay into top NFL draft pick status? (it is difficult to get drafted high as a running back if you've never pass pro'ed or gone out on pass routes, no matter how good you are)
out of arrogance and stubbornness (IMO) the NU fanbase wants a return to glory of the 70's and 90's, but getting from 0 - 120mph isn't an easy feat. The NU roster is no where near close to being ready to compete at THAT kind of dominance.
THAT, and the Big 12 (not the Big 8) is full of contenders now. There are no more weak sisters of mercy in the conference (besides Baylor).
** MEANING, is the hire of the next NU coach conditional on whether or not he runs "NU meat'n'potatoes football"? Or what if Osborne hires some young whippersnapper that runs a 3-3 and 5 wide no-huddle? Would 'that' guy be accepted, even if Jesus...er....Tom Osborne selected him, though he didn't fit the "NU" profile for coaching?
hey, speaking of which....what about my guy, Rick Neuheisel? He gave the Huskers fits (but so does EVERY CU team)
|
|
|
Post by burtledog on Oct 22, 2007 15:59:22 GMT -6
Quite a pasal of OL's did play well in the pros though they use much pass pro in college. greg
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Oct 22, 2007 16:26:55 GMT -6
well, I was trying to bring up some issues, not attack NU. Never mind, man. You are too much of a hardcore FAN to take a look at this from an outsiders perspective as a COACH, and not a FAN. If you have a top 10 program like Nebraska did, you WILL have NFL caliber guys (being a 1st round pick and a FA pickup are completely different things) just like every other DI media guide has their "In the NFL" sections. Very FEW blue chip WR or QB would play for NU because there was no way for them to showcase their talents for future employment, like they could for Miami, FSU, USC, Texas, etc. Since the NFL free agency and CBA started in 1993 (the true face of the NFL that we know today), NU has had 31 offensive players drafted in that 14 year period (only 1 first rounder....Lawrence Phillips and only 4 second rounders), with NO quarterbacks selected and only 2 wide receivers selected (2001 & 2002) in the sixth and third round respectively.
|
|
|
Post by airman on Oct 22, 2007 20:14:26 GMT -6
barry alverez
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Oct 23, 2007 6:58:30 GMT -6
Great points, dave
so I guess that is where my confusion lays.
I mean, this is the real question I am asking.....
NU is going to right the ship by going the opposite direction of the WCO (anything 'pro' orientated) to go to "old-school"-ground pound? (It SOUNDS like that is the discussion...I could be wrong)
Is the rationale behind this
A) because that IS Husker ball...get back to the glory days. or B) NU can't compete, so they are conceding recruiting defeat with the Top 25 programs and are rebuilding (with option,bone,etc) to level the playing field
I think that is where I'm confused. Is NU considered in the dumps or just on the rebound?
Like with Callahan (and Weis) the boosters had to hire prestige, and by many accounts that isn't what builds programs. Are they over-valuing the current stock of NU football to think they can get ANY guy they want and muck up the coaching search?
** to rebuild NU, one would have to assume the #1 goal would be to recruit (own) Nebraska. What kind of athletes are coming out of the state now?
|
|
|
Post by airman on Oct 23, 2007 11:27:01 GMT -6
barry alverez may be older looking and he is older. however he knows how to do two things which nebraska needs. he knows how to recruit and he knows how to take a program off life support. look what he did with wisconisn.
He also believes in the same things coach osborne does, solid run game with a attacking style of defense. interesting to note cosgrove worked under alverez at wisconsin.
alverez is older and he can handle the osborne syndorm. he can handle the fans.
he would be a solid choice to right the ship. 3 to 4 years from now, you would be playing in a national championship game.
the fans might not like to hear this but I think osborne says it best when it comes to fans. fans draw there selfworth from a winning team, so when you lose, you have lowered there selfworth.
|
|
CoachJ
Junior Member
Posts: 307
|
Post by CoachJ on Oct 23, 2007 12:00:42 GMT -6
Alvarez would be a good coach but there is ZERO chance of that happening. He is sittng pretty in the twighlight of his life, I saw him last year at a clinic in Lincoln, he looked very old and very tired. I heard he was very happy that Coz left, as the following year his team went from being rated 50+ in defense to the top 10, the Wisconsin fans were really glad to see Cosgrove leave. Cos has never been able to stop a team with a mobile QB, ake any adjustmetns or stop the modern offenses, he can stop that old Big TEn stuff. If youve seen his defenses at NU it would literally make you throw up. They have already broke a 114 year old record for most times having over 40 scored on them and they have 4 games left against teams that at least 2 will score 40+ and last week A&M out up 36, it's bad. I wonder how many more 600 yard games we will give up this year. Amazing going from a #11 ranked defense under Pelini with "no talent" yet with his kids, awesome recruiting classes and in their fourth year they cant stop a Ball State for under 40 points or 600 yards, it's amazing to me and most everyone. TO is a very smart, giving and compassionate person. he was the very first person that called me back when I was looking for people to endorse my book and gave me a nice one. Are you sure that recruiting classes can be measured prior to performance? I have seen 5* Marlon Lucky play and he isn't great. Also 4* Harrison Beck was less than impressive. Same with 4* Chris Brooks. 3* Steve Slaton and 3* Pat White on the other hand have been tearing it up for years. Same with 3* Chase Daniel and 3* Chase Coffman. I just don't think "ranked" recruiting classes matter because it all hinges on who "ranks" them.
|
|
|
Post by Coach Huey on Oct 23, 2007 12:16:26 GMT -6
why did the powers that be (those that did the hiring) believe the wco would work at nebraska in the first place? what changed their minds to now, apparently from what i'm reading, feel that "their" option game is only thing that will work at nebraska?
i ask because they hired a wco ... he has been one for years and years. now, i wasn't sitting in on the interview so i don't know what callahan told them, but i would gather to say that he wasn't dancing around the issue that he would be installing his wco system and not be running the option schemes. guess that's why the AD was let go ...
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Oct 23, 2007 12:33:18 GMT -6
is the Callahan situation/hire pose ANY similarity to the ND situation?
Both were extremely long searches....and the boosters would not be satisfied with anything less than a MARQUE name.
Both Callahan and Weis, at the time of hires, were Super Bowl headliners who were reknowned for the their 'guru' wizardry (on offense).
The thought base was/is, hire this NFL wizard...kids will flock to our school because of his experience in the pro game, his connections in the pro game, and his creativity on the blackboard........
ND before Weis was an option team, and an option/power team before Davies......
**that being said, don't mistake for a minute I am a ND fan or follower.
the whole point is, the 'hero-worship' and 'cult-bashing' of celebrity/personality coaches is a little over the top.
Just because Callahan/Davies/Wannestedt/etc were not able to turn programs around, nor live up to the MEDIA hype surrounding their hires, doesn't make them on par with the anti-christ.
NU HAS experienced some rebirth in the program (what about LAST year?!). Admittedly, Solich left the cupboard bare. The experiment in Lincoln with patch-work JUCO transfers and high-profile QB recruits.....
Miami went through this....Florida went through this.....
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Oct 23, 2007 13:00:35 GMT -6
Not that I disagree with you one bit in any of your assessments in this thread, but what makes you so sure Pellini would've made any different headway than Callahan (other than being more aggressive than Cosgrove)?
|
|
|
Post by airman on Oct 23, 2007 13:03:04 GMT -6
in reading dave's posts I have come to conclude they need a tom osborne puppet at NU. No one will ever be successful until tom osborne leaves NU completely. It happened at michigan. Hard to be your own coach when BO had a office down the hallway.
the best thing for a program with what happened at Ohio State. Woody Hayes left the program completely. I know there were factors in this. Still it was the best thing for Ohio Sate.
You can embrace the past but not have to live in it. Nebraska fans are living in the past.
My college coach was the same way. He took over for the schools all time win leader adn very successful coach. the first two seasons he kept the old coach on as an assistant(d3 school) and finally he had to ask him to leave. the old coach understood. the new guy had to become his own man. he even tried to run the wishbone for several years but he changed the offense completely.
who ever becomes the head coach at Nebraska or penn. State will have to live in the shadow of the former head coach.
The best thing Tom Osborne could do is diviorce himself from NU.
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Oct 23, 2007 13:26:12 GMT -6
I just want to understand the WHAT of the matter here.
Did Callahan 'get it done' in Lincoln. No, and no one is arguing that. Could Callahan (and Cosgrove) go somewhere else and have success? Possibly. Neither of these guys are the devil incarnate and they HAVE proven they can coach in some capacity.
I don't know WHAT, specifically, Tom Osborne can do to resurrect NU, other than being Tom Osborne. Is Osborne going to recruit better? Is Osborne going to be game planning opponents? Is Osborne going to be running practices?
I have had the luxury of meeting Dr.Osborne before. He is a great human being. The kind of guy that you just can't have anythind bad to say about. I'm sure...but he is a man, just like anyone else. Even HE doesn't have a Midas touch for all things football.
I want to be able to see this situation for what it is, and not as an emotionally driven fan's perspective. This is a great opportunity to take a 'historical perspective' of how you can turn a fatigued program.
If Kirk Ferentz didn't make some real good showings in their string of Outback Bowl successes in the early 2000's, is the Hawkeye fanbase crying for Hayden Fry to grace the campus once again? Is he the ONLY one that can restore the Hawks to the greatness of the 1986 Rose Bowl?
There are basic, fundamental things that NU has to do to become competitive in the market / conference they are in. Academically and Athletically, they have to get the ship righted, that goes BEYOND emotion and tradition (IMO).
As a follower of the 90-era Husker teams, it is always weird to see them running anything than I-option.....I would love it if they could get back to that. However, I don't think would do anything for them at this point.
The Big 12 balance of power has shifted from what it was 10 years ago. NU is at the bottom of the pile. They have to do things differently, besides just be Nebraska, to compete.
|
|
|
Post by burtledog on Oct 23, 2007 14:09:58 GMT -6
If Callahan would have embraced the Devaney/Osborne tradition, he would have had the community in his back pocket. NU has been very diverse in offense and defense for the 47 years Dave mentioned. In the 70's they were a passing team in a running conference. He could do as Hatcher is doing in Ga So. Adapt the WCO to a little option and power to adjust to talent. He didn't. Instead of saying "I am the next piece of this great tradition," he spit in its face. He didn't want what was best for the boys and the university, he did it his way. Osborne has stayed out of the way until now. The only other thing he could have done was to stay in DC for 10 more years. Devaney stuck around NU if I remember (wasn't he the AD for awhile) and Osborne still was seen as the boss...criticized yes, but he built on the tradition, he didn't try to erase it and rebuild from scratch. Greg
|
|
|
Post by coachmacplains on Oct 23, 2007 14:32:56 GMT -6
I think there is a false either-or here being implied. I don't know that anyone is saying that either NU has to "go back" to option football or there will be failure (more on that in a moment). Having said that, certain actions that seem to cut off former players and fans from a rich tradition may not always be the best judgment. Pederson certainly had the right to make changes he felt necessary to advance the program, but the perception of dissociating from the past has not been well-received, and understandably so.
As to option football, I never thought of Nebraska as an "option team". Navy and Air Force (still) are "option teams". I think it can be argued that some of the things NU was doing in the 80s and 90s anticipated some of the multiple stuff going on now - not to the same degree, but in principle. Seems to me they were combining power and "finesse" better than anyone for a time. As to the average fan, I don't think he/she is dying to see an "option team", but they are accustomed to big linemen pushing people around and an aggressive defensive style. Can you blame them for thinking that if a team like AF with its midgets can be near the top of the nation in rushing every year, can't we do even more with our behemoths? As has been pointed out, the landscape has maybe changed somewhat, but is it any worse an alternative than they are seeing now? Just trying to enunciate what the average fan might be thinking.
With respect to Bill Callahan, seems to me he's just doing the job he was hired to do. Though I'm not necessarily fond of the style, I don't begrudge him doing what he feels will make the thing go. It may be that, given the context, he should leave - Osborne obviously has to make that call - but rather than "good riddance", maybe we could have a bit of empathy for a guy who is where any of us could be, though not nearly to that degree. Just because someone thinks he has a better way to skin the cat doesn't mean he's a bad guy or is my enemy. Maybe we could cut him some slack.
|
|
|
Post by coachmacplains on Oct 23, 2007 15:09:08 GMT -6
Not going to chime in much more here, but can we make a distinction between poor judgment and improper motives? IMO, it seems that poor judgment has been exercised as to the tradition at NU, and that more than anything has been reflected by former players. But do I judge a man's character when he attempts to mold a team in the image he see fit, according to his understanding of the game? I may not like the mold, but a distinction ought be made between "I don't like what you are doing" vs. "What you are doing is evil". Without a doubt evil exists, but I don't know that the west coast offense or sloppy tackling (well....maybe is the embodiment of it. I want to see the program head back north...hopefully that can happen. There is probably not a man wiser to the task than Tom Osborne.
|
|
|
Post by hemlock on Oct 23, 2007 20:11:47 GMT -6
Just a quick point. We are all coaches or have been coaches on this board. I'm dissappointed that some people here are jumping on Callahan when he is down. We've all been there and we should all know better.
Nebraska fans must understand that the rules of the game have changed. I coached at Kansas when Osborne was at NU during the 90's and he got out at the perfect time. From the time he left, the talent level plummeted tremendously. Parity has changed things tremendously. I believe that the decision to can Solich was in reality a good one. Understandably given the expectations that are just a hair shy of Alabama's nobody wanted the job. I give Callahan credit for taking the challenge. Does that mean that he has not made mistakes? Absolutely not. Clearly, he has to make some changes on the defensive side of the ball. Did he rub some of the faithful the wrong way? Yes, and that's a shame, but with a strong A.D. and university President in his corner that really does not mean much. The yahoos are going to think what they want anyway. Look at Kentucky. Rich Brooks was clearly not a fan favorite, but Mitch Barnhart with the president's backing chose to stick by his man. They did not cave in to popular desires.
I agree with an earlier poster. Osborne is now a near mytho-poetic character around whom there is a cult of personality. The NU President showed how gutless he is by bringing him back. This is not to say that Osborne is not compitent. He sure is; however, to move forward you sometimes have to cut ties with the past. This is one of those situations.
Callahan's and Pederson's problems are more cultural than professional. This is a sad fact. Remember the movie "HOOSIERS" with Gene Hackman and how his character was treated by the locals when he tried to change things. Ditto.
|
|
|
Post by amikell on Oct 23, 2007 20:47:10 GMT -6
wow, I have nothing to add to the comments above, but after watching the replay of the A&M NU game on FCS, the announcers even hate the defensive scheme. why didn't the d coem into some sort of 8 man front v/ the running game of A&M. wow. these guys HATE Callahan.
|
|
CoachJ
Junior Member
Posts: 307
|
Post by CoachJ on Oct 24, 2007 7:07:53 GMT -6
I don't know WHAT, specifically, Tom Osborne can do to resurrect NU, other than being Tom Osborne. Is Osborne going to recruit better? Is Osborne going to be game planning opponents? Is Osborne going to be running practices? I think NU has some talented players and a fresh start with a new staff will help. I am not saying they are dominant, but they have some good athletes. What Osborne provides is nothing to with coaching. It has to do with stability. The Pederson regime completely alienated many former players and a lot of boosters. It hollowed out much of the tradition that Nebraska had. Tradition is something that, whether you understand it or you don't means everything to the people of Nebraska. Right now people feel a tremendous disconnect from the program and Dr. Tom's presence helps bring them all back. He is someone they trust and who understands the value of the tradition. Now the other thing he can do is hopefully find the right coach to lead Nebraska into the future. Many coaches that might be considered unobtainable might at least listen. I don't think Nebraska is the job it once was. Sure there is a ton of things in Lincoln as far as support, facilities, etc and it could turn out to be a top notch job once all the mess is cleaned up, but right now it isn't equal to what it once was. There was a time that few coaches would turned it down. Right now I think more coaches would turn them down. It is a little harder to turn down the job or at least not listen when Tom Osborne is sitting and talking to you. Even coaches revere him as a legend.
|
|
|
Post by airman on Oct 24, 2007 12:55:08 GMT -6
footballscoop.com list craig bohl as the front runner.
I would like to see nebraska push for mike leach. he has away with the underdog mentality, which is what osborne played off many years. tried and true walk program.
|
|
|
Post by hemlock on Oct 25, 2007 6:13:51 GMT -6
Yes, Osborne is not Steinbrenner, but I would not want to coach under his legacy. He is not what I would worry about; rather, its bizarre expectations that Nebraska people have that are as I noted before just a hair shy of those at Alabama.
Tradition is great. I'm not knocking tradition, values, or anything like that. But, tradition can also be a loadstone that in certain situations keeps you back, or prevents you from writing the next chapter in your history. Florida has great tradition, but note that they did not hire somebody who was pure Spurrier descendent. Even Zook who coached for Spurrier made it clear tha he was going to do things differently and Urban Meyer is clearly not a part of the Spurrier legacy. I think its great that the people in Nebraska have such a special relationship with their program, but by the same token they need to understand that the rules of the game have changed completely. Like I noted earlier, I coached against Osborne's teams as well as Solich's and drop off between the kids recruited during Dr. Tom's time and those that Solich recruited was tremendous. Nebraska was still good, but their kids were not nearly as talented as those that they brought in before. Hence, Nebraska decline began way before Callahan arrived.
Although I have tremendous respect for Osborne, I think that we should all remembe that this guy is not pure as the driven snow. Although NU fans would like to believe that he was beyond reproach, like all coaches Osborne made some very questionable calls regarding players. NU folks can yap all they want about Dr. Tom giving him a chance to help him with his life, but people know that he was a problem that should never have been touched. Does this tarnish his legacy? No, but you cannot pretend that it never happened nor can you overlook the numerous other "problem" children who had off field incidents that the Nebraska faithful conveniently looked the other way on.
Also, why not Mike Leach? Does his philosophy, personality, "faith" (you know he is a Mormon), or just overall being not jive with Nebraska culture? Leach is a brilliant coach and even though he chucks the ball all over the yard its not like its the WCO. The Airraid an inverted wishbone that albeit nuanced is not very complex.
|
|
CoachJ
Junior Member
Posts: 307
|
Post by CoachJ on Oct 25, 2007 6:55:35 GMT -6
Although I have tremendous respect for Osborne, I think that we should all remembe that this guy is not pure as the driven snow. Although NU fans would like to believe that he was beyond reproach, like all coaches Osborne made some very questionable calls regarding players. NU folks can yap all they want about Dr. Tom giving him a chance to help him with his life, but people know that he was a problem that should never have been touched. Does this tarnish his legacy? Interesting article, I am pretty sure Washington was found innocent and we know Phillips record since. sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/news/1997/12/10/osborne_flashback/phillips.html
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Oct 25, 2007 7:08:52 GMT -6
Does Scott Frost have anymore eligibility left?
I think everyone believes Tom Osborne helps soothe the frustration of the culmination of the past few seasons.
Should Callahan be let go now or immediately after the season....or what? Can Dr.Osborne influence potential recruits enough NOW or not?
I think the rebirth of NU would do wonders for college football....anything to upset the balance of power in the Big 12.
|
|
|
Post by hemlock on Oct 25, 2007 15:36:51 GMT -6
Yes, the rules have changed. The landscape of college football is finally starting to change due to scholarship limitations. Although there will still be elite programs, such as USC, and I name them only because of the tremendous natural advantages they have for recruiting, parody has already had an effect on numerous programs, including Nebraska. Does that mean that Nebraska will not be great. Absolutely not; however, I do not believe they will ever be like they were before on such a consistent year in and year out basis. And let's face it, this is actually good for college football.
BTW, I would disagree with you about what type of a guy is Bill Callahan. Maybe he's not your cup of tea, but met him on a number of occasions and always walked away quite impressed. Does that mean that he is necessarily the right guy for NU? I'm not sure. To some degree I understand the reservations that many have about implementing his brand of the WCO at the college level. Its extremely sophisticated. Having coached on a staff that tried to implement Bill Walsh's version of the WCO offense at the DI level I understand that it may not be a good fit.
Perhaps Callahan is just not a good fit. Okay, but then who is? I would be really leary of hiring anybody who is too tightly tied to the past. Alabama is finally excaping with Saban from under the shadow of the Bear, and Michigan clearly has suffered from Bo's presence. If I were Osborne I would after I make the hire I declare that it the HIRE"S program then ride off into the sunset.
|
|
|
Post by airman on Oct 25, 2007 18:09:56 GMT -6
In reading dave's posts I have come to conclude the people of nebraska never forget. He is right, craig bohl should not apply or get a interview. why would one want to subject themselves to people who are stuck in the past and are unable to forgive.
I really hope coach bohl does not go after the job. NDSU is going to be a 1AA national champion next season and dominate the gateway confrence. be good games between UNI and NDSU. The guy has Tom Osborne like status in the state of North Dakota.
If NU could get it together it would be nice. It would balance out the B12. when you have texas tech hanging 70 on Nebraska it is not good for the conference. But seriously who is going to want to play there unless they hire a multiple pro style offensive coach? If I had to choose between Notre Dame and Nebraska, it would be notre dame. While they are not doing so well this year, ND has a coach with a offense which skill players can show case there talents. Jimmy Clausen went from So Cal to the plains of Indiana. You know where it snows. Why, cause ND has a offense which he can showcase his talents. No way Jimmy Clausen comes to Lincoln.
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Oct 25, 2007 20:01:53 GMT -6
just a thought - but lets try to keep the conversation like coaches between coaches and not fans belittling each other, talking smack.
|
|
|
Post by hemlock on Oct 25, 2007 20:18:46 GMT -6
There is certain insecurity running through the above post. Yes, scholarship reductions have been around for 20 years, but the effects are only now starting to be fully felt throughout the landscape of college football. It's similar to Bush's signature education reform bill - NCLBH - if you want to call it reform. The full effects of this bill will not be felt for at least a generation.
I have no doubt that Nebraska will find a fine HC, if they do decide can Callahan, which I'm not sure would be a good move. Remember Kentucky and Rich Brooks. The yahoos, and yes they were and still are yahoos, wanted to can him two years ago. Mitch Barnhardt rode the storm out. Oh, and please, don't give the "we are Nebraska" bit. It's old, painfully cliche, and irrelavant to the conversation at hand. Does it really matter if the guy you get is from DI or DII? Absolutely not. In reality, coaching ball at the lower levels is harder than in upper echelons. You have to do more with less. Moreover, let's agree that Bohl was not a good DC. The numbers as Dave has noted bear that out; however, the skills one needs to be a great HC are not necessarily commensurate with those required to be a great DC. (Note, I'm not advocating that Bohl get the job.) Also, he did not cost Solich his job. I mentioned befoe and will repeat it again, Nebraska was a different team under Solich, particularly on offense. Most Big 12 guys would agree that under Solich they seemed to lose some of their punch on offense, began to rely too much on the option, and veared (no pun intended) away from power stuff that set up their outside game so well in the past. Plus, they were soft. They did not scare anybody. Those are not just my views, but those most guys that coached against NU during Solich's tenure.
This should be an intelligent conversation. Not schoolyard brawl in which coaches throw other coaches under the bus no matter how much they may dislike them, their philosophy, personality, etc. The impression I get after reading some posts is that their is some immense monolithic "I" who dictating the thoughts of the masses in Lincoln. Perhaps this is just false impression, but the complete lack of objectivity suggests that a lack of critical distance on the part of some individuals. Althought this is clearly not the most important thread on this post, it should nonetheless be informative and educational. Let's try to keep the subjective rants to a minimum. As coaches we often bemoan the criticism of ignorant fans who know nothing of our craft. Are we no better?
|
|
CoachJ
Junior Member
Posts: 307
|
Post by CoachJ on Oct 26, 2007 6:36:26 GMT -6
Im convinced that Everyone has to run a spread Pro Style Passing attack to showcase your talents, cant win without it or get great talent, make sure you tell Florida, WVU and Boisie that. Did you really just say that Florida wins without great talent? Tebow was one of the top freshman in the nation and so was Percy Harvin. Both of those guys had offers from every school out there. Florida's recruiting classes have been full of guys that EVERYONE wanted. Even Chris Leak was a player that everyone wanted out of high school and was a 4 year starter in college. Florida has more talent on their team than they know what to do with. They may have not bee recruited for Urban Meyer's system, but they were better athletes than he dreamed of at Utah.
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Oct 26, 2007 7:51:26 GMT -6
From a coaching perspective, what can we learn from the situation currently taking place in Lincoln?
|
|