Good article about how Riley gets it.....

[little a]

Another article about how great Mike is and how terrible Bo was?

Mike got rid of one guy, so now all of a sudden, he does not have the loyalty problem that most coaches have. We saw BillyC ride his loyalty to DC Cosgrove right into unemployment. I'm guessing Riley would do the same for Banker.

He is on point about recruiting, things were just terrible under the prior regime. They didn't try at all compared to what we are seeing under Mike Riley. You have to give them an A plus for the effort we have seen so far. How that shapes up at the end of the year remains to be seen, but the contrast between the two staff's is like night and day.

Then Brandon Cavanaugh is trying to sell you that the 5-6 FCS Penguins are the equivalent of the Huskers if Bo had remained here last year. He even tries to make a stronger argument by saying that the two transfers should have helped move the needle there. I'm more in disbelief that someone would even attempt such a weak argument.

Which leads us to the record..

As others have pointed out, the record can't be what it was last year.

Personally, this is where I am concerned. I think it's going to take awhile, several great recruiting classes to really bend the curve.

Will Husker Nation be patient? That's the direction I think the writer should have taken with his article.

 

[little a]

Amen brother--- defense was terrible and Banker's track record is not good at ALL! Let's see if the sunshine is as bright with a 6-7 record again and a terrible defense- if Riley truly gets it .

 

[HuskerO]

Let's see if the sunshine is as bright with a 6-7 record again and a terrible defense

You seem pretty sure of this.

 

[huskerfan1414]

Good idea. Can't wait for the first game tomorrow... I mean next weekend... I mean in a couple of months...

Hard to focus on winning games when the first game doesn't happen for a couple of months... So in the meantime, is anybody really surprised about these kinds of articles that are pumping up the coaching staff? Would it be better if these articles weren't written? doesn't Kavanaugh work for the university? Shocking that he would compare and contrast our current coach to our previous coach...

News flash - we probably aren't done with these kinds of articles before the season begins, so be vigilant for the next article you can complain about.

Edit: huskerfan1414, this is an equal opportunity post not meant solely for you, but also trying to prepare others like Nikki to not get too upset when more articles like this come out in the next two months...

My problem is that if our only standard of Riley is that he's better than a maniac we set ourselves up to be blinded just like we were with Bo. How many people dealt with his crap for too long simply because they kept comparing him to Callahan when all he did was win the easiest 9 games and lose to one opponent he shouldn't of every year. It was this same mentality. I don't think it's far fetched to say the comparisons to Bo got Riley out of hot water with a lot of people in year one already. We get it..bo sucked. He's gone for that reason. It's time to start holding Riley up to his own standard. You can have pump up articles and threads that don't compare him to the lowest standard of a mad man who hated nebraska. I doubt he sits around thinking about how he's better than the last guy so why should we. We don't need to get caught in another "be careful..remember who we had before" situation now do we? I'd say some of us are already there. None of this will matter if he wins games and titles and doesn't repeat another fiasco like last year. I'm glad he wants to be here too but don't be jaded...that should go without saying and it does at winning programs.

 

[94husker]

Some of the reactions to the article in this thread make me want to puke! Maybe we can wait to bitch about not winning games until we have actually played some this year. If we need to stop living in the past in regards to the previous coach perhaps the same advice should be taken in regards to last season. Mike Riley isn't the enemy.

 

[Harry Caray]

MY beef with the article is that the guy spent more time bashing a coach who has been gone over a year than focusing on Riley - when he tried to make the point that Riley first year was not so bad bad because YSU has a similar record come on now thats just pandering for views who can really make that jump in logic

Agree. You could just as easily twist the logic and say that it's so easy to win at Nebraska, that even a maniac who can't win at Youngstown won 9 games every year here. Also, Pelini had no trouble firing Shawn Watson and Ted Gilmore, because they were not his buddies, just like Hughes was not one of Riley's old pals. The question we all wonder is if he will hold Banker accountable.

I think we're all happy with how recruiting is going so far. The question is, if we lay another egg on the field this year, will we be able to maintain this level of recruiting?

 

[countrybob]

Agree. You could just as easily twist the logic and say that it's so easy to win at Nebraska, that even a maniac who can't win at Youngstown won 9 games every year here. Also, Pelini had no trouble firing Shawn Watson and Ted Gilmore, because they were not his buddies, just like Hughes was not one of Riley's old pals. The question we all wonder is if he will hold Banker accountable.

I think we're all happy with how recruiting is going so far. The question is, if we lay another egg on the field this year, will we be able to maintain this level of recruiting?

 

[countrybob]

I am not very good on a computer, so I hope people don't think they need to correct every little detail. I find the simple fact that Coach Riley and staff seem to be genuinely happy to be here, and have embraced everything that is Nebraska football. They have shown they are not afraid to put in the time to try and be successful. Will that mean more wins? I for one hope so, but we have to start somewhere, and in my life experience, that starts with attitude. First post, long time member.

 

[Husker.Wed.]

I am not very good on a computer, so I hope people don't think they need to correct every little detail. I find the simple fact that Coach Riley and staff seem to be genuinely happy to be here, and have embraced everything that is Nebraska football. They have shown they are not afraid to put in the time to try and be successful. Will that mean more wins? I for one hope so, but we have to start somewhere, and in my life experience, that starts with attitude. First post, long time member.

Please post more often. I work with our new people. I always tell them attitude is everything. If that is in the right place, good things will come.

 

[dockentwo]

This is spot on. I'm not arguing this point. What we've been doing for the last 15 years hasn't worked. We needed a change at head coach and got it. And I think just about every poster on this board (except maybe Red Rover) would agree that our national relevance has taken a big hit. That's not the point I'm arguing, and I suspect others are arguing as well. What we all want is a return to relevance, and the only way that happens is by winning the big games.

Having said all that, that's not gonna happen unless and until we get a similar talent level across the board as other top programs. That's why people are hyped up about things like Friday Night Lights and the NATIONAL BUZZ that this coaching staff is getting on the recruiting trail.

So Mike gets compared to bo and the fan base is split. I know you're not a bloner, as some would so liberally throw out to anybody who has reservations about Mike. At the same time, don't label me as living in a fishbowl just because I support Mike. And don't be blind to the fact that current coaches are compared to former coaches all the time ALL OVER THE COUNTRY! If you want to live in a bubble and think it happens only in Nebraska, go ahead. I'm in a fishbowl, you're in a bubble, and we will continue to not see the other side's point.

I appreciate all your posts. .... A quick take ; last season was a cluster and could have been had great record overall - but why would any complainer look at it in depth ( I know their are balanced articles ). ... Is it Me; or haven't there been scads of articles how / Pekune attempted to poison the well : there was a Carl-like sub-group, that had to be dealt with : remember they inherited a team that couldn't in general even fundamentally tackle, D stats improved : Some years your lucky; last year not : Iowa game falls on TA; maybe worst qb game play ever : the final stretch of games, the new player core was getting to a level of maybe beating anybody ,,, so moving forward with great recruiting : some great assistants : a core of great people as players and motivated and performing in workouts : overall coaches are getting adjusted to new surroundings and can beat top ten teams already ( remember ) . So wow; we have to win them and all those teams are also trying very hard. At least we have Boyd and other indications we are trend setters and edge finders again ( Tom should have had 3-5 National titles IMO before he actually got one - these coaches are of his ilk; in that they will learn adjust and move on ) .

 

[timnsun]

I appreciate all your posts. .... A quick take ; last season was a cluster and could have been had great record overall - but why would any complainer look at it in depth ( I know their are balanced articles ). ... Is it Me; or haven't there been scads of articles how / Pekune attempted to poison the well : there was a Carl-like sub-group, that had to be dealt with : remember they inherited a team that couldn't in general even fundamentally tackle, D stats improved : Some years your lucky; last year not : Iowa game falls on TA; maybe worst qb game play ever : the final stretch of games, the new player core was getting to a level of maybe beating anybody ,,, so moving forward with great recruiting : some great assistants : a core of great people as players and motivated and performing in workouts : overall coaches are getting adjusted to new surroundings and can beat top ten teams already ( remember ) . So wow; we have to win them and all those teams are also trying very hard. At least we have Boyd and other indications we are trend setters and edge finders again ( Tom should have had 3-5 National titles IMO before he actually got one - these coaches are of his ilk; in that they will learn adjust and move on ) .

Good post... I guess what it boils down to is that some people see what is happening on the recruiting front and see the potential for some big things, while others remain skeptical.

I guess I see the frustration of those who don't care to see another article comparing Riley to Pelini, but like I said in an earlier post, this stuff is gonna continue to happen. Like it or not, it's still relatively early in Riley's tenure here and he still has a bit of a grace period. Everybody in the media likes Mike, especially compared to Bo (sorry for the comparison, but it's true) and so why wouldn't there be articles written about his genuinely good guy compared to the madman before him?

Even though I see the frustration of those who don't want to see a comparison piece, I don't understand why it's that big of a deal that some feel the need to make a stink about it.

Edit: for those who are upset by this thread and this article, can you tell me why? I get it that the comparison piece is frustrating, but why is it so bad that you feel compelled to post your frustration in what is supposed to be a positive thread? I know there is freedom to post whatever you are feeling, that's fine. I'm not trying to squelch that... I'm just genuinely curious why you felt the need, after reading this article and the accompanying posts, to post the opposite of what the thread was intended to be.

Human nature, I guess.

 

[DudznSudz]

Good morning all,

So, as I am wont to do, I will share my two cents:

Believe me, I am very sympathetic to people who are skeptical of Riley and have kind of a downer perspective on the state of the program; we went from being a traditional powerhouse to getting our asses kicked for the last 15 years, with very few bright spots in between. There are some very key reasons for this:

1.) Devaney and then Osborne were nothing if not a model of consistency and continuity. They built a strong program with a unique identity specifically designed to emphasize regional strengths and diminish program weaknesses. Unfortunately, because Osborne was so integral to how that all worked (with his assistance, offensive philosophy, etc), that after him, a huge void opened up after the firing of Solich, the guy who was kind of continuing that perspective.

2.) Steve Petersen basically destroyed our program, as did Texas, the Big 12, and a whole lot of chaos that happened during the Callahan years. I see that as a very wealthy, traditionally good program was taken over by people who did not understand it or how to bring it forward into a new CFB era.

3.) They then righted the ship by hiring Pelini, who was a real hardass and a gruff, unlikable guy, but who could at least restore a bit of stability to the program. As Osborne himself said, Pelini rescued the program from a complete tailspin.

4.) Well, Pelini did do that, but he also refused to hold his assistants accountable for much, change things that were not working, or make proper adjustments when the team would be challenged by a program that really had thought out how to out-coach Pelini. That Big 10 title game against Wisconsin is a perfect example of it; Wisconsin threw everything but the kitchen sink at us, and it confused the players and Pelini refused to react. Thus, a terrible, terrible loss, which in my mind, highlighted why he had to go. That, and honestly, I don't think he recruited very well.


So, the new regime really is fixing pretty much everything about Point 4 that was wrong with Pelini's approach; happier demeanor, positive attitude, some of the best recruiting this program has seen in over a decade, and a willingness to engage with both the fans and the media that was also not something Pelini was known for. Finally, I know a 6-7 record isn't awesome, but there are 3-4 games there that were just bad, bad luck. The national sports press knows it, and there is very little Riley could have done about it (you could argue he should never have been that close with, say, Illinois, but you get my point). It would be foolish to fire a coach so soon, or even really talk about it; in my opinion, coaches need 3-4 years to really implement their systems and be given a good shot at being successful. If you fire a guy before that, you're sending a message to all other good coaches that it's a very volatile place to be. Win instantly (which is very hard to do) or you're axed. We don't want that.

So, Riley was not my first pick, but the program is trending up and the vibe is VERY different. Give the guy some time to have success. We've been getting our asses kicked for a while now; a few more times while the ship is being repaired and righted doesn't bother me any.

Cheers all, and here's to an 8-4 or better season!

 

[nebcountry]

...Edit: for those who are upset by this thread and this article, can you tell me why? I get it that the comparison piece is frustrating, but why is it so bad that you feel compelled to post your frustration in what is supposed to be a positive thread? I know there is freedom to post whatever you are feeling, that's fine. I'm not trying to squelch that... I'm just genuinely curious why you felt the need, after reading this article and the accompanying posts, to post the opposite of what the thread was intended to be.

Human nature, I guess.

I didn't crap all over this thread, but I think I can answer the question "can you tell me why?". Not upset, but I didn't like the article. But you're asking, here's my answer.

In retrospect, should we have looked past Bill Callahan's first year 5-6 record. Was there so much more? Here we are again, "Looking at the bigger picture, beyond his initial 6-7 season, it's hard to claim that". It's deja vu, all over again (credit to Yogi).

Next, Hank Hughes. He wasn't one of the OrSU cronies. He was expendable. You and others may think Riley will be able to do the nut-cuttin' if "needed", myself and others don't see it happening if "needed". Hopefully, it won't be necessitated (or ignored) due to shitty performance. I'm not a Harbaugh fan per se, but I don't think Harbaugh would keep a mediocre coach around. That's one reason why I can see the odds of michigan being in the 4-team playoff as being much higher than NU's.

Next, recruiting. Just calling it like it is. We have one position coach that is knocking it out of the park in batting practice (we haven't signed them yet). That's Williams, Dr Route. At this point, I still rank Keyshawn Johnson SR as our best recruiter. Trent Bray and Langsdorf are doing better than "good". Other than that..., we're arguing about how good our roleplayers are.

Next, Bo Pelini. I guy that pissed his pants and hated all-things Nebraska. Pelini could lose every single game at youngstown, and I won't give a shit. At Nebraska, we are talking Nebraska, Riley falls well short in wins compared to pelini.

Next, Riley wants to win. Does he? The times we have really good performances that hint at running the ball, he crawfishes.

Next, the kind of guy we want. Though picking up trash is admirable, Riley is not getting paid millions of dollars to pick up trash, he's getting paid to win football games. The kind of guy I want, is the kind of guy that wins football games, year in year out.

 

[timnsun]

Thanks, Dudznsudz and Nebcountry for taking the time to answer. I do appreciate it.

The bottom line for all of us is victories. These articles can fill some with hope, and others with frustration. But we all want the same thing, which is victories.

Incidentally, Snohomish (I know you have contributed to this thread), I am typing this from the airport in Seattle. I am on my way to Alaska, and ran into someone on the plane from Snohomish today. I couldn't ask him if he knew you because as far as I know, your name is not SnohomishRed...

Beautiful neck of the woods you live in! My first time in Washington... And all I get to see is from the airport or the plane. Oh well, maybe some day I will be able to see it properly...

 

[dinglefritz]

[QUOTE="nebcountry, post: 2598342, member: 15262"

Next, recruiting. Just calling it like it is. We have one position coach that is knocking it out of the park in batting practice (we haven't signed them yet). That's Williams, Dr Route. At this point, I still rank Keyshawn Johnson SR as our best recruiter. Trent Bray and Langsdorf are doing better than "good". Other than that..., we're arguing about how good our roleplayers are.
[/QUOTE]
We have more than one position coach knocking it out of the park. We have multiple guys getting visits from kids on defense and offense that used to never even give NU the time of day. Once officials start happening this fall you'll see the fruits of their labor. Dr Route is VERY visible on social media but that isn't the only way to work. This entire staff is working their ass off in recruiting.

 

[SnohomishRed]

Thanks, Dudznsudz and Nebcountry for taking the time to answer. I do appreciate it.

The bottom line for all of us is victories. These articles can fill some with hope, and others with frustration. But we all want the same thing, which is victories.

Incidentally, Snohomish (I know you have contributed to this thread), I am typing this from the airport in Seattle. I am on my way to Alaska, and ran into someone on the plane from Snohomish today. I couldn't ask him if he knew you because as far as I know, your name is not SnohomishRed...

Beautiful neck of the woods you live in! My first time in Washington... And all I get to see is from the airport or the plane. Oh well, maybe some day I will be able to see it properly...

hopefully your trip is good - Washington is indeed a very beautiful place

 

[nebcountry]

We have more than one position coach knocking it out of the park. We have multiple guys getting visits from kids on defense and offense that used to never even give NU the time of day. Once officials start happening this fall you'll see the fruits of their labor. Dr Route is VERY visible on social media but that isn't the only way to work. This entire staff is working their ass off in recruiting.

In the spirit of optimism, I hope you are correct.