I find Clemson an interesting story and feel we can utilize their climb to success as proof that it can happen for us. Yes, their football past isn't as glorious as ours but I find them comparable when attempting to achieve championships. I chose to use Clemson because I don't feel our situation at all resembles Ohio State, Wisconsin, nor Michigan regarding the culture that was left behind and the talent that fits that culture.
When Dabo took over in 2008 halfway through the season for Bowden they were a school with a mediocre regional reputation and nothing more. They did have one natty in '81 but a lot of average seasons since then. Finishing in the top 20 only once since the start of the 2000's. They hadn't even finished in the top 15 since 1990.
In 2008 as you know Dabo lost to Bo Pelini, who we all recall stating that day, "Nebraska is back and were here to stay!" Nebraska's trajectory was up and Clemson's was down. However, after 2008 the two teams went opposite directions, but it didn't happen overnight. Clemson took a few years developing a positive culture, strong identity, reputation (regionally and then nationally), along with finding and showing a willingness to pay good assistant coaches. Bo, well, did the opposite of that. I've listed the seasons and ending records below:
2008 > 7-6
2009 > 9-5
2010 > 6-7
2011 > 10-4 (ACC Champs)
2012 > 11-2
2013 > 11-2
2014 > 10-3
2015 > 14-1 (ACC Champs and National Runner-up)
2016 > 13-1 (ACC Champs and playing for their 2nd straight national title)
Some correlations I see us achieving OR what Riley will have to achieve to succeed:
Open up that Checkbook. The administration is willing to pay big money for assistants and football staff. This is being done as we speak.
Coach Adaptability: The coach is willing to find the best football staff and constantly improve that staff year after year. Even Dabo didn't bring in a great staff right away, but when he did, they PAID them.
An Early Taste of Success. This didn't happen for Dabo overnight and neither will it for Riley. Regardless, he needs some early success to gain belief in the program and help set the culture/identity for the future. Dabo's happened in 2011 (year 4) by sneaking out a win in the ACC title game against Virginia Tech, ironically losing the bowl game 70-33 to West Virginia. Riley needs at minimum a division title here in the next couple years.
Steady Improvement: Is a 6-7 season a deal breaker early on? Of course not, especially after taking over for a bad culture the previous staff left behind. So far Nebraska's record shows improvement but its important the record stays consistent or improves as a coach sets that foundation and culture. Like i said, Dabo experienced some ups and downs early as well.
Year 4 or 5: By year four or five (depending on each situations previous culture) Riley should have a culture, identity, and strong regional reputation in chosen recruiting zones. Which for this staff, like it or not, is going to be California.
Stay the Course: By doing the previous 5 items over and over again, until the cracks in this ship get smaller and those rowing the ship get stronger.
Does this all happen overnight? Unfortunately for us it hasn't and it won't. But the team playing in the title game against the 'All-Pro Bama' Team showed how possible it is. Population is our biggest obstacle yes, but our facilities, money, and adaptability will make up for it. Does this prove Riley is the right coach? Of course not, but it does show he is doing the right things to potentially get there and Dabo showed us the formula.
Before you can land all those stud 4 and 5 stars you have to limit the excuses they can make regarding why not to come here. So when zero hour approaches, and they're making their decision, they can't find so many excuses not to come here. That happens by developing a culture within, an identity and brand outside, and a reputation with recruiting beds you are most connected to. Once that success is seen, the dominoes will start to fall.
If it doesn't then we always have women's volleyball, basketball, and baseball to represent the Big Red right?
Enjoy the national title game tonight because its where we want to be, and I still believe we can get there someday.
When Dabo took over in 2008 halfway through the season for Bowden they were a school with a mediocre regional reputation and nothing more. They did have one natty in '81 but a lot of average seasons since then. Finishing in the top 20 only once since the start of the 2000's. They hadn't even finished in the top 15 since 1990.
In 2008 as you know Dabo lost to Bo Pelini, who we all recall stating that day, "Nebraska is back and were here to stay!" Nebraska's trajectory was up and Clemson's was down. However, after 2008 the two teams went opposite directions, but it didn't happen overnight. Clemson took a few years developing a positive culture, strong identity, reputation (regionally and then nationally), along with finding and showing a willingness to pay good assistant coaches. Bo, well, did the opposite of that. I've listed the seasons and ending records below:
2008 > 7-6
2009 > 9-5
2010 > 6-7
2011 > 10-4 (ACC Champs)
2012 > 11-2
2013 > 11-2
2014 > 10-3
2015 > 14-1 (ACC Champs and National Runner-up)
2016 > 13-1 (ACC Champs and playing for their 2nd straight national title)
Some correlations I see us achieving OR what Riley will have to achieve to succeed:
Open up that Checkbook. The administration is willing to pay big money for assistants and football staff. This is being done as we speak.
Coach Adaptability: The coach is willing to find the best football staff and constantly improve that staff year after year. Even Dabo didn't bring in a great staff right away, but when he did, they PAID them.
An Early Taste of Success. This didn't happen for Dabo overnight and neither will it for Riley. Regardless, he needs some early success to gain belief in the program and help set the culture/identity for the future. Dabo's happened in 2011 (year 4) by sneaking out a win in the ACC title game against Virginia Tech, ironically losing the bowl game 70-33 to West Virginia. Riley needs at minimum a division title here in the next couple years.
Steady Improvement: Is a 6-7 season a deal breaker early on? Of course not, especially after taking over for a bad culture the previous staff left behind. So far Nebraska's record shows improvement but its important the record stays consistent or improves as a coach sets that foundation and culture. Like i said, Dabo experienced some ups and downs early as well.
Year 4 or 5: By year four or five (depending on each situations previous culture) Riley should have a culture, identity, and strong regional reputation in chosen recruiting zones. Which for this staff, like it or not, is going to be California.
Stay the Course: By doing the previous 5 items over and over again, until the cracks in this ship get smaller and those rowing the ship get stronger.
Does this all happen overnight? Unfortunately for us it hasn't and it won't. But the team playing in the title game against the 'All-Pro Bama' Team showed how possible it is. Population is our biggest obstacle yes, but our facilities, money, and adaptability will make up for it. Does this prove Riley is the right coach? Of course not, but it does show he is doing the right things to potentially get there and Dabo showed us the formula.
Before you can land all those stud 4 and 5 stars you have to limit the excuses they can make regarding why not to come here. So when zero hour approaches, and they're making their decision, they can't find so many excuses not to come here. That happens by developing a culture within, an identity and brand outside, and a reputation with recruiting beds you are most connected to. Once that success is seen, the dominoes will start to fall.
If it doesn't then we always have women's volleyball, basketball, and baseball to represent the Big Red right?
Enjoy the national title game tonight because its where we want to be, and I still believe we can get there someday.
