Bob Devaney is the hero of Nebraska football. The 21 previous seasons (1941 - 1961) prior to Devaney's arrival in Lincoln the team won just 37% of their games, 0 conference titles, 0 top 10 finishes and only 1 bowl game. Also, their record against the leading coaches of the era was dismal - Bud Wilkinson 2-13, Darrell Royal 1-1, Murry Warmath 1-2, Frank Leahy 0-2, Red Blaik 0-1, Ben Schwartzwalder 0-3, Dan Devine 0-4, Woody Hayes 0-2, Frank Broyles 0-1 and Bear Bryant 0-1. Nebraska was 2-13 against Minnesota during this period.
Bob Devaney significantly enhanced the standard of excellence at Nebraska, ushering in an era of remarkable achievement. In eleven seasons (1962 – 1972) Nebraska posted a winning percentage of 83%, 8 conference titles, 2 national titles, 9 bowl appearances, 7 top 10 finishes including 4 in the top 5. Further, against the top coaches of his time Devaney rose to the occasion with respectable success – Chuck Fairbanks 3-3, Pepper Rodgers 2-3, Dan Devine 5-4, Johnny Majors 4-0-1, Bud Wilkinson 1-1, Bear Bryant 1-2, Murry Warmath 7-0, Gene Stallings 2-0, Shrug Jordan 1-0, Vince Dooley 1-0, Charles McClendon 1-0, Ara Parseghian 1-0, John McKay 0-1-1, Frank Broyles 0-1. Also, Devaney compiled an 8-0 record against Minnesota.
One statistic that I find interesting about Bob Devaney is in games where he found himself behind by 9+ points, he came back and won 36% of them. Comparing with the coaches that followed him, Osborne won 29% and Solich won 16%. Callahan was 1 of 21 for 4.7%, his one win was Ball State. Pelini was 10 of 32 for 31%. Riley was 5 of 20 for 25%. Frost was 1 of 23 for 4.3%, his one win was Illinois. Joseph was 1 of 6 for 17%, his one win was Rutgers. Rhule is 0 of 6 for 0%.