I feel confident HCSF is going to be exactly who he says he is and what we perceive him to be- a very smart, hard working guy who will put together a fundamentally sound, physical and mentally tough team that will end up being consistently competitive in the BIG and eventually return to being relevant and in the conversation in perfect storm years- A team we can all be very proud of. Here were my perceptions- compared to reality when the other head coaches were hired- wasnt right about all of them.
Callahan- Perception- An afterthought please coach for us hire. NFL savant who doesnt appreciate the difference in equations- college to NFL football. Was very sceptical- but willing to see if this lure great recruits to NU by running an NFL scheme and approach to running a team could actually work here. I didnt ooh and ahh at the double trade on the first play of spring practice or the 14 word playcalls needed to call a play in his WCO.
Reality- gave them mulligan in year 1. Some light in year 2, but was evident the experiment was headed downstream with lack of emphasis on defense. Inconsistent running game and need for an elite QB- and developing him were evident.
Pelini- Perception- Kinda the anti- Callahan. Defensive "guru" that "got" the college game and "got" and embraced the NU tradition. Didnt jump up and down over hire- but thought it could work a bit by being different- being a defense first team. Concerned over Bos lack of head coaching/CEO skills- his uncool incident with Bill Snyder etc The offense he inherited was kinda OK- the WCO thing was working a bit -still not sold on it.
Reality- Made some nice progress early. Defense was great- then not so much. Always seemed to crap the bed in big games. WCO offense- not so good, better with Spread under Tim Beck. Undisciplined teams- turnover and penalty prone. In the end Bo couldnt handle the big stage and created an unprofessional and toxic environment- time for him to go. I was wrong about the defensive guru thing- over the long haul. But 9/10 wins a year for 7 straight years could be the bridge to a nice run with the right coach.
Riley- Perception- Easy hire/easy search, lifetime .500 guy, nice fella, BUT WTH??. His version of the WCO had ZERO chance of succeeding here. Didnt we kinda try this a few years ago? Might have a descent year or two- then fall flat on his face. MAYBE he could help NU reduce the penalties and turnovers. That might help him overachieve his .500 history and get us to 7-8 wins a year until he was able to do things 100% his way and be fired.
Reality- same as perception. After seeing the whole picture/getting more details- having a much different opinion about Riley as a person which I wont bring up (timnsun) Totally cool for OSU to let MR have the keys to their beat up 82 Chrysler K car with 400,000 miles on it. They dont care if he wrecks it, just keep the old beast running. Nebraska was a Classic 66 GTO with 22,000 miles, a great motor a straight body in need of a minor renovation. You cant scrape up this car going into the garage or run it into poles. We CARE what our car looks like and it has the frame, motor and classic history that has the potential to be in the class of the classics of today. You dont give the keys to that car to MR.
Callahan- Perception- An afterthought please coach for us hire. NFL savant who doesnt appreciate the difference in equations- college to NFL football. Was very sceptical- but willing to see if this lure great recruits to NU by running an NFL scheme and approach to running a team could actually work here. I didnt ooh and ahh at the double trade on the first play of spring practice or the 14 word playcalls needed to call a play in his WCO.
Reality- gave them mulligan in year 1. Some light in year 2, but was evident the experiment was headed downstream with lack of emphasis on defense. Inconsistent running game and need for an elite QB- and developing him were evident.
Pelini- Perception- Kinda the anti- Callahan. Defensive "guru" that "got" the college game and "got" and embraced the NU tradition. Didnt jump up and down over hire- but thought it could work a bit by being different- being a defense first team. Concerned over Bos lack of head coaching/CEO skills- his uncool incident with Bill Snyder etc The offense he inherited was kinda OK- the WCO thing was working a bit -still not sold on it.
Reality- Made some nice progress early. Defense was great- then not so much. Always seemed to crap the bed in big games. WCO offense- not so good, better with Spread under Tim Beck. Undisciplined teams- turnover and penalty prone. In the end Bo couldnt handle the big stage and created an unprofessional and toxic environment- time for him to go. I was wrong about the defensive guru thing- over the long haul. But 9/10 wins a year for 7 straight years could be the bridge to a nice run with the right coach.
Riley- Perception- Easy hire/easy search, lifetime .500 guy, nice fella, BUT WTH??. His version of the WCO had ZERO chance of succeeding here. Didnt we kinda try this a few years ago? Might have a descent year or two- then fall flat on his face. MAYBE he could help NU reduce the penalties and turnovers. That might help him overachieve his .500 history and get us to 7-8 wins a year until he was able to do things 100% his way and be fired.
Reality- same as perception. After seeing the whole picture/getting more details- having a much different opinion about Riley as a person which I wont bring up (timnsun) Totally cool for OSU to let MR have the keys to their beat up 82 Chrysler K car with 400,000 miles on it. They dont care if he wrecks it, just keep the old beast running. Nebraska was a Classic 66 GTO with 22,000 miles, a great motor a straight body in need of a minor renovation. You cant scrape up this car going into the garage or run it into poles. We CARE what our car looks like and it has the frame, motor and classic history that has the potential to be in the class of the classics of today. You dont give the keys to that car to MR.
Last edited:
