Eichorst Q and A..talent levels need raised....

[HBK4life]

http://journalstar.com/sports/huske...cle_13ccebbd-ad02-5358-8a4f-a4bebf479fdf.html
"And this league is so deep now and so talented now. I was looking at the All-Big Ten team on the coaches' side. On the first, second and third teams, I think we had two guys total ..."

(He's right. Michigan had 17 total, Ohio State 14, Iowa nine and Wisconsin eight).

 

[Harry Caray]

"We had a chance to win a championship this year, and we came up a little short."

Was he being sarcastic here? We were nowhere close to winning a championship

 

[jawbreakingsafetyplay]

"We had a chance to win a championship this year, and we came up a little short."

Was he being sarcastic here? We were nowhere close to winning a championship

Conference championship, with the unique situation surrounding Ohio state not being in Indianapolis, Nebraska could have had a shot if they had been in the game. A lot of breaks would have had to go their way. The point is that the coaching took a group above their talent level to a strong season.

 

[jeans15]

A division championship for sure.

 

[Harry Caray]

Conference championship, with the unique situation surrounding Ohio state not being in Indianapolis, Nebraska could have had a shot if they had been in the game. A lot of breaks would have had to go their way. The point is that the coaching took a group above their talent level to a strong season.

Eh, we had an outside chance at a division title going into the last game and got blown out by an average Iowa team. For a guy who emphasizes the "games that matter", I wouldn't call that just a little short.

He is right that we need more talent. 26th rated class isn't going to get it done.

 

[otismotis08]

We have no business talking about championships of any sort. Not at this time. We're no closer than any other mid-tier power 5 conference teams.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

We have no business talking about championships of any sort. Not at this time. We're no closer than any other mid-tier power 5 conference teams.

Yet we were a touchdown at Wisconsin from playing in one.

 

[timnsun]

Yet we were a touchdown at Wisconsin from playing in one.

Just stop... this is too hard of a concept for some on this board to comprehend...

 

[jlb321]

Yet we were a touchdown at Wisconsin from playing in one.

We were a division 1 QB away from a lot better season

12-31. 0TDs and 2 picks

Team played their guts out and good ole Tommy wet the bed again

 

[jawbreakingsafetyplay]

He is right that we need more talent. 26th rated class isn't going to get it done.

1) signing day is still a month plus away so the story isn't finished with respect to class
2) recruits don't remain static. Coaching, strength and conditioning, genetics (grow spurts, body type, etc) all matter and play into where a player goes from age 18 to his senior year.
3) the class rank is important, but see my previous points abkut players going up and down. The size of the class is important as well as roster turnover. We have far too many walkons who are playing a key role and not enough true scholarship kids. Fixing that alone will boost our talent level to the likes of the teams in the Big Ten west. Currently we are on par with the bottom feeders.

 

[mountainmann]

We were a division 1 QB away from a lot better season

12-31. 0TDs and 2 picks

Team played their guts out and good ole Tommy wet the bed again

This is his last game at UNL. Ready for the stat line to be long gone.

 

[NikkiSixx]

That interview seems pretty weird.. it's as if Shawn is saying 2 things.. A.) It's not my fault or job, and then B.) Everyone is doing a great job.

I honestly think that guy is a complete imbecile.

 

[jawbreakingsafetyplay]

That interview seems pretty weird.. it's as if Shawn is saying 2 things.. A.) It's not my fault or job, and then B.) Everyone is doing a great job.

I honestly think that guy is a complete imbecile.

Well it's true, his job is not to be the head coach. He hired an expert to run the football program and he lets the man in charge run the program. Same for the other sports. He lets the coaches run the program and his job is to help remove roadblocks and get the staff what they need.

Nebraska has a professional head coach and AD and people mistake them for idiots because they are actual professionals.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

That interview seems pretty weird.. it's as if Shawn is saying 2 things.. A.) It's not my fault or job, and then B.) Everyone is doing a great job.

I honestly think that guy is a complete imbecile.

I like Eichorst. He fired Pelini. He found us a solid coach in Riley.

 

[BroskiRed]

That interview seems pretty weird.. it's as if Shawn is saying 2 things.. A.) It's not my fault or job, and then B.) Everyone is doing a great job.

I honestly think that guy is a complete imbecile.

Well, at least you admitted your true feelings towards the man. It was actually a comprehensive interview not a lot of filler there with Sipple, which is saying something.
I agree with Jaw, the man is responsible for providing resources, setting the tone as far as goals and accountability towards those, and third is that he should be a visible ambassador of Nebraska athletics. He admits at the end of the interview that he has grown in that role. I was critical of him and the way that he went Kevin Bacon and Invisible man during the Pelini era. We need him and Riley on the same page to instill some winning culture at Nebraska. Do you think that this happens by happenstance at Wisconsin with AD Alvarez? Or are his interviews "weird" too? Come on, really? At least you're honest Nikki.
Here's a quote that I like from the interview:
Riley obviously is trying to push the program to the next level. When I say "next level," what does that mean to you?
Eichorst: "What it means to me in the general sense is just daily improvement. Let's work together, putting our resources and support all in the same direction — that's both inside and outside the building. And let's get better.

 

[scarletred]

I like Eichorst. He fired Pelini. He found us a solid coach in Riley.

It was his job to fire him, Verdict is still out if he made the right hire. I'll wait for the results the next 3 years by then we will know how successful this hire was..

I really like Riley but I also like Miles and Timmy will be on the hot seat the rest of the season dispite last nights big upset win at Indiana.

 

[nebcountry]

That interview seems pretty weird.. it's as if Shawn is saying 2 things.. A.) It's not my fault or job, and then B.) Everyone is doing a great job.

I honestly think that guy is a complete imbecile.

If given the opportunity to say something positive, he does. If put in the position to say something negative, he deflects. So, he is self contradictory, on one hand he sees us improving, on the other hand he needs experts to answer.

The interview is message board fodder.

 

[PeliniTheCrutch]

Here's a quote that I like from the interview:
Riley obviously is trying to push the program to the next level. When I say "next level," what does that mean to you?
Eichorst: "What it means to me in the general sense is just daily improvement. Let's work together, putting our resources and support all in the same direction — that's both inside and outside the building. And let's get better.

To each their own. I see that quote as very wishy-washy and basically dodging the question instead of stating black and white expectations.

Not saying that he's required to do that for the public in this interview...but that particular quote is all fluff to me.

 

[Harry Caray]

Being professional does not necessarily make you a great leader. Consistency is one of the main keys to effective leadership, and Eichorst has been wildly inconsistent so far during his tenure here. What happened to the philosophy of not commenting until the season is over? Then he goes from being invisible during Pelini's time to being a cheerleader on the sidelines every game with Riley. After firing Pelini, he said that we had enough talent to win championships, and now he's blaming our losses on a lack of talent?

I also love how he takes a question about Miles and uses it to try to convince everyone about how great he is as an athletic director.

Q: Is there anything to read into you deciding not to extend Miles' contract after last season?

Eichorst: "It's a fair question. He doesn't read into it. I haven't read into it. I think Tim and I come from the same backgrounds. He comes from a small town, I come from a small town. He worked himself up through the ranks, I worked myself up through the ranks.

"We're not working for contracts. We're trying to do the right thing, and we're trying to be successful and represent the institution the right way. We know when all of that comes together we'll win ballgames. He's a winner. He's won every place he's been, and I'd like to think I've had success every place I've been. Tim and I see life the same way, and I think we see basketball the same way.

 

[BroskiRed]

Q: Is there anything to read into you deciding not to extend Miles' contract after last season?

Eichorst: "It's a fair question. He doesn't read into it. I haven't read into it. I think Tim and I come from the same backgrounds. He comes from a small town, I come from a small town. He worked himself up through the ranks, I worked myself up through the ranks.

"We're not working for contracts. We're trying to do the right thing, and we're trying to be successful and represent the institution the right way. We know when all of that comes together we'll win ballgames. He's a winner. He's won every place he's been, and I'd like to think I've had success every place I've been. Tim and I see life the same way, and I think we see basketball the same way.

I take this to mean the famous 'ol vote of confidence (basically a half-hearted endorsement that means nothing but says everything). I think with Eichorst it's clear that he's in bed with his football coach I'll give you that. So you want him to be more critical of Miles, then? Like he was with Pelini? Honestly you can't compare Husker football with Husker hoops. Not even close to the same expectation level.
To clarify why I liked the quote above about improving daily, it's cliche because it's true.
How many years now under Pelini and now Riley have guys just been handed starting positions because of experience? You need true competition, daily, to compete at the top level. Everyone had better hope that Eichorst actually means what he says there.
I am talking about both sides of the ball but there are obvious examples of starters that don't belong on the field

 

[NikkiSixx]

Well it's true, his job is not to be the head coach. He hired an expert to run the football program and he lets the man in charge run the program. Same for the other sports. He lets the coaches run the program and his job is to help remove roadblocks and get the staff what they need.

Nebraska has a professional head coach and AD and people mistake them for idiots because they are actual professionals.

A professional that talks about the talent being deficient, in front of all the existing talent... the same professional that sends an email to players when he fires their head coach?

Look, I get it that you think he's all that.. but I don't. I see a guy saying he is not to blame for the results of the athletic department. His job then is only to provide resources.

I wish we all could find a management job like that! Where you don't have to take any accountability for any of the results. Nice!

 

[jlb321]

I am talking about both sides of the ball but there are obvious examples of starters that don't belong on the field

You have to play someone. But at a couple of positions we don't have anyone presently on the roster that belong on the field if we hope to compete for conference titles

 

[timnsun]

A professional that talks about the talent being deficient, in front of all the existing talent... the same professional that sends an email to players when he fires their head coach?

Look, I get it that you think he's all that.. but I don't. I see a guy saying he is not to blame for the results of the athletic department. His job then is only to provide resources.

I wish we all could find a management job like that! Where you don't have to take any accountability for any of the results. Nice!

Wow, way to read it with your own spin... Nowhere is he saying he is not to blame for the results of the athletic department... What he is saying is he isn't going to run the football program, nor is he gonna run the basketball program (and by extension, every other athletic program we have)... That's why we have coaches. He hired them to run these programs, and he isn't going to interfere unless a change needs to be made. Right now, no changes need to be made. Will changes happen at the end of basketball season? Maybe so, but not right now. Ultimately, the buck stops with him, and he knows it. He isn't saying it's not on him.

 

[NikkiSixx]

Wow, way to read it with your own spin... Nowhere is he saying he is not to blame for the results of the athletic department... What he is saying is he isn't going to run the football program, nor is he gonna run the basketball program (and by extension, every other athletic program we have)... That's why we have coaches. He hired them to run these programs, and he isn't going to interfere unless a change needs to be made. Right now, no changes need to be made. Will changes happen at the end of basketball season? Maybe so, but not right now. Ultimately, the buck stops with him, and he knows it. He isn't saying it's not on him.

You really think Mike Riley fired Bruce Read of his own accord?

Bruce worked for Mike for I think it was 16 different years. You would think Mike would know what kind of coach Bruce was or wasn't, and yet he hired him here. I find it very suspicious to think Mike just decided hey, I'm gonna fire you loyal Bruce buddy of sixteen years.. let me ask you.. does that really add up? c'mon man

 

[jawbreakingsafetyplay]

You really think Mike Riley fired Bruce Read of his own accord?

Bruce worked for Mike for I think it was 16 different years. You would think Mike would know what kind of coach Bruce was or wasn't, and yet he hired him here. I find it very suspicious to think Mike just decided hey, I'm gonna fire you loyal Bruce buddy of sixteen years.. let me ask you.. does that really add up? c'mon man

I know it's hard for one to get over things with a tin foil hat on but he did let him go on his own. His boss had nothing to do with it. Just like directors do.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

I know it's hard for one to get over things with a tin foil hat on but he did let him go on his own. His boss had nothing to do with it. Just like directors do.

I am not necessarily agreeing with Nikkisixx. But I do wonder how you know this with such certainty that you can ridicule anyone who would think otherwise as a nut job?

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

I am not necessarily agreeing with Nikkisixx. But I do wonder how you know this with such certainty that you can ridicule anyone who would think otherwise as a nut job?

The same way NikkiSixx can ridicule anyone who thinks different than he does a nut job. It's a message board, everyone knows everything.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

The same way NikkiSixx can ridicule anyone who thinks different than he does a nut job. It's a message board, everyone knows everything.

Indeed!
Carry on then....
I will get some popcorn,

 

[timnsun]

You really think Mike Riley fired Bruce Read of his own accord?

Bruce worked for Mike for I think it was 16 different years. You would think Mike would know what kind of coach Bruce was or wasn't, and yet he hired him here. I find it very suspicious to think Mike just decided hey, I'm gonna fire you loyal Bruce buddy of sixteen years.. let me ask you.. does that really add up? c'mon man

Yeah, I really do. Special Teams were as bad as we have ever seen, period. Riley even spoke derogatorily against our special teams, saying even JR high teams do it better... He was disgusted by what he was seeing and made a change. It really isn't that hard to figure out.

And since Read was a friend, I am sure he did it in a very friendly and professional way as well...

 

[timnsun]

You really think Mike Riley fired Bruce Read of his own accord?

Bruce worked for Mike for I think it was 16 different years. You would think Mike would know what kind of coach Bruce was or wasn't, and yet he hired him here. I find it very suspicious to think Mike just decided hey, I'm gonna fire you loyal Bruce buddy of sixteen years.. let me ask you.. does that really add up? c'mon man

Besides, what does this have to do with my response to your post? I see absolutely no connection here...

 

[TruHusker]

A professional that talks about the talent being deficient, in front of all the existing talent... the same professional that sends an email to players when he fires their head coach?

Look, I get it that you think he's all that.. but I don't. I see a guy saying he is not to blame for the results of the athletic department. His job then is only to provide resources.

I wish we all could find a management job like that! Where you don't have to take any accountability for any of the results. Nice!

I seriously don't understand how you come to conclusions. He makes a comment about number of players on BIG team and that is news! It is pretty common knowledge to the most casual observer - apparently some on this board.

SE's job is not to manage the teams and players. He manages the coaches who manage their teams. A CEO of a big company does not get involved directly at the employee level (generally). He talks to the coaches about his/her goals and plans and the ad provides input where appropriate. The coaches are each essentially managing their own small businesses under the ad who provides direction and resources.

You want AD's micro managing all sports and activities of a school or college? Can't happen. Even a HS AD has to keep their hands off, way too much going on and too much to know

SE is also meeting with donors, planning facilities and looking at the future of the overall athletic Dept. I suppose he should know more about specific wrestling moves or how well the throwers are doing in track. Sheesh, get some reality in life.

 

[NikkiSixx]

I know it's hard for one to get over things with a tin foil hat on but he did let him go on his own. His boss had nothing to do with it. Just like directors do.

I don't know what you're talking about regarding tin foil hats. I don't have one, and I don't go around saying other people do.

The same way NikkiSixx can ridicule anyone who thinks different than he does a nut job. It's a message board, everyone knows everything.

Whom have I ridiculed or called a nut job? I dare you to find where I have name called another poster on this site. It's supposed to be a rule here and it's one I try very hard to follow, even if many of you do it and it isn't enforced.

Besides, what does this have to do with my response to your post? I see absolutely no connection here...

It's in regard to the part about him not interfering in your post. I really don't believe a word SE says. So either SE told Mike you've got to sacrifice someone, or Mike basically fires his loyal buddy on his own... Why would Mike do that? esp when he hadn't fired him any of those other 16 years?

 

[Pennsyhusker]

All I know is that Read is gone. He was fired, and the public face of that firing was head coach Mike Riley, who made it clear as to why. Any further conjecture about the AD interfering is interesting, but pure guesswork. Yes, Read was Riley's friend. But that fact alone is not enough evidence for me to conclude that SE interfered and forced this. That implies a level of micromanaging I am not sure is SE's style

 

[NikkiSixx]

I seriously don't understand how you come to conclusions. He makes a comment about number of players on BIG team and that is news! It is pretty common knowledge to the most casual observer - apparently some on this board.

SE's job is not to manage the teams and players. He manages the coaches who manage their teams. A CEO of a big company does not get involved directly at the employee level (generally). He talks to the coaches about his/her goals and plans and the ad provides input where appropriate. The coaches are each essentially managing their own small businesses under the ad who provides direction and resources.

You want AD's micro managing all sports and activities of a school or college? Can't happen. Even a HS AD has to keep their hands off, way too much going on and too much to know

SE is also meeting with donors, planning facilities and looking at the future of the overall athletic Dept. I suppose he should know more about specific wrestling moves or how well the throwers are doing in track. Sheesh, get some reality in life.

I'll give you an insight into my thinking. I start by asking 'why is SE doing this interview'? ...
Then I read what it is that he has to say. This isn't so much an interview as it is a PR type of thing.. people want to know about that bad Iowa game, the last time, he fired a coach because of it, but this time is different.. So when I read this interview, I'm looking at it from a different perspective. He's sounding a bit defensive here and there, and then says we are doing a good job. When Sipple asks him some tougher questions, he shuts that down, and works at smoothing the rest of it over.

I understand most people just take things at face value and that's okay.

 

[jawbreakingsafetyplay]

I'll give you an insight into my thinking. I start by asking 'why is SE doing this interview'? ...
Then I read what it is that he has to say. This isn't so much an interview as it is a PR type of thing.. people want to know about that bad Iowa game, the last time, he fired a coach because of it, but this time is different.. So when I read this interview, I'm looking at it from a different perspective. He's sounding a bit defensive here and there, and then says we are doing a good job. When Sipple asks him some tougher questions, he shuts that down, and works at smoothing the rest of it over.

I understand most people just take things at face value and that's okay.

You lost me and your credibility with Sipple and tough questions.

I think you need to understand the role of an AD who is a professional and has a philosophy that he believes in and hires people to support. He isn't one to spend a bunch of time talking negatively or in a derogatory tone. He gets asked a question leading and looking for that response, he goes full Negan on it. There is no reason to air dirty laundry of the program. That is also one of the first rules of successful organizational management, celebrate the successes and positives with the team and the world, and handle the discipline and other less savory items behind a closed door in private.

Also, now I've read the full interview, by droning on it this long you have put on a tin foil hat.

 

[NikkiSixx]

You lost me and your credibility with Sipple and tough questions.

I think you need to understand the role of an AD who is a professional and has a philosophy that he believes in and hires people to support. He isn't one to spend a bunch of time talking negatively or in a derogatory tone. He gets asked a question leading and looking for that response, he goes full Negan on it. There is no reason to air dirty laundry of the program. That is also one of the first rules of successful organizational management, celebrate the successes and positives with the team and the world, and handle the discipline and other less savory items behind a closed door in private.

Also, now I've read the full interview, by droning on it this long you have put on a tin foil hat.

Everything you have said here tells me you don't understand what I'm getting at. I'll leave it at that.

 

[jawbreakingsafetyplay]

Everything you have said here tells me you don't understand what I'm getting at. I'll leave it at that.

Clearly because in my mind when I see anything with the words Kneepads on the byline I know that it was written by someone with an IQ just south of baked potato and will be from a slant of trying to discredit the man who fired his beloved.

 

[RedSea]

He is right that we need more talent. 26th rated class isn't going to get it done.

We're sitting at 39th at the moment. I like the guys who have committed, but we need to fill the thing out.

 

[jawbreakingsafetyplay]

A professional that talks about the talent being deficient, in front of all the existing talent... the same professional that sends an email to players when he fires their head coach?

Look, I get it that you think he's all that.. but I don't. I see a guy saying he is not to blame for the results of the athletic department. His job then is only to provide resources.

I wish we all could find a management job like that! Where you don't have to take any accountability for any of the results. Nice!

I actually don't think he is all that. He is clearly better than the last guy.

You seem to believe that the success of one program is the responsibility of the AD. Which it isn't. He is a manager of leaders. He bares some responsibility but the AD doesn't recruit players, doesn't sit in the film room and break down tape nor does he call the plays. He doesn't likely know the specifics of every day to day operation. I know that I don't know every task that is going on at that level in my organization. That is why I have supervisors to keep track of issues and escalate them as needed.

That is what the AD job is. He has people who he hires to evaluate all aspects of the football program. He gets the fringe lunatics who contact him every time we throw an incomplete pass on third and short or every time we shank a punt. His job is not to worry about that level of detail. He has to concern himself with big picture and fixing the mess. His coach tells him that we need better recruits than he asks him how do we go about fixing it. Do you need a bigger budget? Do you need more support staff? He is responsible for

You are confusing the day to day operations of the AD job with the head coach. The job of the AD is not to be reactive to a bad game or a bad stretch but rather a number of seasons taking into account the health of the program. The interview is what it was, a hack job piece by Sipple looking for clicks. He knows that the AD is a hot topic.

 

[c2o]

The same way NikkiSixx can ridicule anyone who thinks different than he does a nut job. It's a message board, everyone knows everything.

Hold up.
Somebody should have told me I've been doing it wrong.
I don't know much about anything.