Much time has passed since our move from "Mediocrity"

[redwine65]

mr. rhule making marked improvement...

 

[cavalot]

You're right. He should have been fired after going 7-7

And there it is. LOL

Wrong. I was just a pissed as anyone else about that season..... But never felt that we should have been in a state of panic. Looks like you embraced it wholly. Doesn't matter now. But many can look back and see that it was indeed a mistake to jump ship at that particular time.

 

[oldjar07]

Takes a man to admit being wrong. There are still a lot of folks who can't do that.

The writing was on the wall for me. The Big 12 was not the Big 8 of old and the patsies that we enjoyed mauling were gaining ground thanks to changes in recruiting and the college football world in general.

We had a unique system and culture that allowed us to play at a high level while filling the gaps and voids with walk on's and lower tier recruits. A necessity in our non-fertile recruiting grounds. While we added the Tommie Fraziers and Lawrence Phillips of the world, we were stabilized by the Machovickas and countless others.

Add in the weight program that was second to none and we had a recipe for success.

IMHO when we moved towards doing what other were doing in order to try to entice the best skill players on the offensive side of the ball we doomed ourselves to mediocrity. We were never going to consistently recruit with those teams in the sunshine states and metro areas.

Just my 2 cents

I've been running the (Navy) option offense with Alabama in CFB 25. The offense itself isn't outdated, the offense works great with Alabama level players. Not sure why lower level teams don't move to option offenses. Army and Navy are able to consistently overachieve with subpar talent thanks to it. I think TO would have done some crazy things if he would have coached another 10 years, and incorporated some of Urban Meyer's spread concepts with the option.

 

[bama_husker]

NU would have better been served by allowing both Frank and Bo to fail. Solich's team the year he got canned was 10-3. Pelini never had a season of few than 9 wins.

Yes. It makes it more difficult to move forward when a fraction of the fan base is more interested in alternate histories of greatness than what's possible going forward.

 

[bigboxes]

Hasn't this been rehashed enough? Of course they both should have been fired. The problem was not having a good plan to find their replacement. That's it. We just hired the wrong people.

 

[Wasker77]

Did you see things going this way on the day Steve Pedersen made his "Mediocrity" speech?

Where do we stand, and how did we get here? And our we headed in the right direction?

Since the dismissal of Head Coach Frank Solich in 2003, the Nebraska Cornhuskers football program has experienced a period of fluctuating performance. Here's an overview of their record from 2004 through 2023:

Overall Performance (2004-2023):

• Total Games Played: 233
• Wins: 128
• Losses: 105
• Winning Percentage: Approximately 54.9%

Season-by-Season Breakdown:

• 2004: 5-6
• 2005: 8-4
• 2006: 9-5
• 2007: 5-7
• 2008: 9-4
• 2009: 10-4
• 2010: 10-4
• 2011: 9-4
• 2012: 10-4
• 2013: 9-4
• 2014: 9-4
• 2015: 6-7
• 2016: 9-4
• 2017: 4-8
• 2018: 4-8
• 2019: 5-7
• 2020: 3-5
• 2021: 3-9
• 2022: 4-8
• 2023: 5-7

Note: The 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coaching Changes:

• Bill Callahan (2004-2007):
  • Record: 27-22
  • Winning Percentage: 55.1%
• Bo Pelini (2008-2014):
  • Record: 67-27
  • Winning Percentage: 71.3%
• Mike Riley (2015-2017):
  • Record: 19-19
  • Winning Percentage: 50%
• Scott Frost (2018-2022):
  • Record: 16-31
  • Winning Percentage: 34%
• Interim Coaches (2022):
  • Record: 2-3
• Matt Rhule (2023-Present):
  • Record: 12-13 (as of 2023)
  • Winning Percentage: 48%

Conference Transitions:

• Big 12 Conference (2004-2010):
  • Achieved multiple division titles but no conference championships.
• Big Ten Conference (2011-Present):
  • Competed in the Big Ten Championship Game in 2012 but did not secure the title.

Bowl Game Appearances:

• Total Bowl Games (2004-2023): 11
• Wins: 5
• Losses: 6

Note: Nebraska did not participate in bowl games during the 2004, 2007, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons.

Recent Performance:

In recent years, the Cornhuskers have faced challenges in achieving winning seasons and securing bowl game invitations. The program is currently under the leadership of Head Coach Matt Rhule, who is working to rebuild and restore Nebraska's storied football legacy.

Data Source: HuskerMax - Nebraska Football Records

Please note that records and statistics are subject to change as new seasons are completed.

Frank Solich to be Honored at Upcoming Nebraska Game

Corn Nation
Thursday Flakes: A Gluttony of Birthdays, American Tennis and a No Hitter
131 days ago

Sources

Take away the Pellini years and the record would be really bad!

 

[cavalot]

Hasn't this been rehashed enough? Of course they both should have been fired. The problem was not having a good plan to find their replacement. That's it. We just hired the wrong people.

Each years end provides another opportunity to look back and say "what if".

Frank should not have been fired. Bo on the other hand....I'm not sure on that one.

It's not the plan. It's the fact that not that many coaches wanted to jump into a position that fires coaches after a 9 win season and conference championship appearances. Especially at a place so limited by recruiting and its geographic presence.

One thing that I have found about living in Nebraska. Folks are fairly delusional about what a great place it is and how much it has to offer.

 

[Walleye79]

Each years end provides another opportunity to look back and say "what if".

Frank should not have been fired. Bo on the other hand....I'm not sure on that one.

It's not the plan. It's the fact that not that many coaches wanted to jump into a position that fires coaches after a 9 win season and conference championship appearances. Especially at a place so limited by recruiting and its geographic presence.

One thing that I have found about living in Nebraska. Folks are fairly delusional about what a great place it is and how much it has to offer.

I have traveled all over the country and spent quite a few years living outside of Nebraska. I love it here. Not delusional one bit. But that is my opinion. Saying people are delusional about thinking this is a great state is just ridiculous. Idiotic

 

[cavalot]

I have traveled all over the country and spent quite a few years living outside of Nebraska. I love it here. Not delusional one bit. But that is my opinion. Saying people are delusional about thinking this is a great state is just ridiculous. Idiotic

That may be true for you. But people have this idea that others are chomping at the bit to come live here...and that my friend is delusional.

 

[SickOfPractice]

"Folks are fairly delusional about what a great place it is and how much it has to offer."

What are you talking about? Just Lincoln alone has the Roller Skating and Quilt museums, and it now has FOUR Wal*Marts.

 

[cavalot]

"Folks are fairly delusional about what a great place it is and how much it has to offer."

What are you talking about? Just Lincoln alone has the Roller Skating and Quilt museums, and it now has FOUR Wal*Marts.

Bahaha. Exactly. .... I guess I stand corrected!

 

[huskerfan66]

I agree with the Solich and to an extent Pelini part.

I think MR gets us over the hump to the the Pelini level within 4 years.

Biggest mistake was trying to change the Nebraska culture from the inside out when the outside was so resistant to any such change. BC screwed the pooch on that one.

And that goes back to SP. Yes bill Byrne had the nickname dollar bill but I wish he would have stayed longer. The start of our drain to a&m

 

[huskerfan66]

"Folks are fairly delusional about what a great place it is and how much it has to offer."

What are you talking about? Just Lincoln alone has the Roller Skating and Quilt museums, and it now has FOUR Wal*Marts.

Don't forget 4 or 5 jet washes

 

[Walleye79]

That may be true for you. But people have this idea that others are chomping at the bit to come live here...and that my friend is delusional.

That’s not what you said. You said people are delusional about how great the state is. You did not say people thinking others are chomping at the bit to move here. That’s one thing that makes this state great. I have been to the states that have the so called things to offer. Fun to visit. No freaking way would I live there permanently and I know of many others that feel the same.

I think you are referencing this to recruiting? Correct

 

[NikkiSixx]

When you keep getting hired to rebuild programs it’s hard to be much better than 50%. If you’re going to put this stuff out then put out all of the info. Rhule will be much better than a 50% coach if he continues to be retained.

I reposted a section of what the OP wrote.. I disagree with your view that taking over a bad programs requires losing seasons upfront see Indiana. Good coaches win right away, and we have always had access to talent and top 20 recruiting classes. Frost had good talent, so did Riley, so did Bo, as did Callahan.. but their results are vastly different.

 

[RedMyMind]

I reposted a section of what the OP wrote.. I disagree with your view that taking over a bad programs requires losing seasons upfront see Indiana. Good coaches win right away, and we have always had access to talent and top 20 recruiting classes. Frost had good talent, so did Riley, so did Bo, as did Callahan.. but their results are vastly different.

strength of opposition matter too

 

[HuskerO]

While specific programs have not been publicly confirmed in detail, it is well-documented that he had opportunities to return to larger programs after his success at Nebraska and Ohio.

It's so we'll documented that we can't provide any names, haha!

 

[HuskerO]

I reposted a section of what the OP wrote.. I disagree with your view that taking over a bad programs requires losing seasons upfront see Indiana. Good coaches win right away, and we have always had access to talent and top 20 recruiting classes. Frost had good talent, so did Riley, so did Bo, as did Callahan.. but their results are vastly different.

Does Cignetti win in year 1 if he didn't have the transfer portal like he does now?

Also, if Cignetti goes the way of Kevin Sumlin, is he still a good coach?

 

[JDCasson02]

I reposted a section of what the OP wrote.. I disagree with your view that taking over a bad programs requires losing seasons upfront see Indiana. Good coaches win right away, and we have always had access to talent and top 20 recruiting classes. Frost had good talent, so did Riley, so did Bo, as did Callahan.. but their results are vastly different.

Yep. Hang your hat on Cignetti. We’ll revisit that in a few years.

 

[king_kong_]

Does Cignetti win in year 1 if he didn't have the transfer portal like he does now?

Also, if Cignetti goes the way of Kevin Sumlin, is he still a good coach?

Rhule would have to go 43-13 in his next 56 games to match Sumlin’s career W-L mark

He is 52-50 to date.

 

[huskerfan66]

Rhule would have to go 43-13 in his next 56 games to match Sumlin’s career W-L mark

He is 52-50 to date.

I'd take 43-13. I'd say that's good progress 👍 so I am wishing

 

[Zeke2005]

Did anyone expect when Mike Riley was fired that the next coaches to follow him would end up doing worse?

 

[NikkiSixx]

strength of opposition matter too

does that also apply to Tom and the old Big 8?

Regardless, Matt Rhule had a super easy schedule this year, and he eeked out a .538 winning percentage

Next year's schedule looks fairly manageable as well.

Yes, we could have won more games this year, and last year, and during SF's years.. so many close losses, it's easy to justify that we should be doing better than what the record shows. It would be nice if the world worked that way, but we all know it doesn't.

 

[king_kong_]

Did anyone expect when Mike Riley was fired that the next coaches to follow him would end up doing worse?

We’ve hired 3 straight .500 coaches

 

[Dean Pope]

20+ years ago being "mediocre" seemed an apocalypse. All these year later, we live with the cruel irony that improvement starts by getting to and gravitating above mediocrity.

If anyone cares to argue that point, they should ponder how relieved everyone was when NU finally became one of the 88 teams to play in a bowl game.

 

[redwine65]

wth is this?

 

[Dean Pope]

Exactly. Not a top football coach for a serious football program

Incorrect. Not a sexy candidate for idiotic fan bases. So in his mid to late 60's Frank was happy where he was out and didn't have an agent out there promoting him either.

 

[Dean Pope]

And that goes back to SP. Yes bill Byrne had the nickname dollar bill but I wish he would have stayed longer. The start of our drain to a&m

Bill was actually a great AD. His greatest criticism from Osborne and that crowd was that he spent too much time building up other sports which were seriously lagging at the time. I wouldn't blame any of Nebraska's eventual football decline on Bill. But he eventually had had enough and got out. It's too bad really because his family had really set down some roots in SE Nebraska.

 

[cavalot]

That’s not what you said. You said people are delusional about how great the state is. You did not say people thinking others are chomping at the bit to move here. That’s one thing that makes this state great. I have been to the states that have the so called things to offer. Fun to visit. No freaking way would I live there permanently and I know of many others that feel the same.

I think you are referencing this to recruiting? Correct

"One thing that I have found about living in Nebraska. Folks are fairly delusional about what a great place it is and how much it has to offer."

I am implying that most people outside of Nebraska do not see it as a "great" place to live. And yet Nebraskans tend to believe they do or should.

Yes I am referencing this to recruiting and how difficult it is. I'm also implying that Nebraska as a university doesn't hold as much sway in the world of college sports is Nebraskan's think.

That is what I'm referencing as delusional.

 

[NikkiSixx]

"One thing that I have found about living in Nebraska. Folks are fairly delusional about what a great place it is and how much it has to offer."

I am implying that most people outside of Nebraska do not see it as a "great" place to live. And yet Nebraskans tend to believe they do or should.

I can tell you after moving to Florida and (other places) being away from Omaha for about 7 years, there is indeed a change in perspective on the state of Nebraska and what it has to offer. I think a lot of people in Nebraska believe the hype, and it's really a place for hard working people that are positive about their environment, but it is fairly delusional when compared to other places. It's probably still a good place to raise a family and it's better than Iowa and many other fly by states, but once you get to Colorado, Arizona, Texas, or Tennessee and further, one's opinion can indeed change. A buddy of mine once told me after coming to visit me in Arizona many years ago, he said "Man, this place makes Omaha look like a (explative) dump." And that was nearly 40 years ago.

 

[RedMyMind]

does that also apply to Tom and the old Big 8?

Regardless, Matt Rhule had a super easy schedule this year, and he eeked out a .538 winning percentage

Next year's schedule looks fairly manageable as well.

Yes, we could have won more games this year, and last year, and during SF's years.. so many close losses, it's easy to justify that we should be doing better than what the record shows. It would be nice if the world worked that way, but we all know it doesn't.

Yes. Strength of opposition matter. There is a reason Indiana ran the table this year and got the Iowa wakeup.

 

[regoratsginrom]

That may be true for you. But people have this idea that others are chomping at the bit to come live here...and that my friend is delusional.

It's not for everyone. Or so I've been told.

 

[cavalot]

I can tell you after moving to Florida and (other places) being away from Omaha for about 7 years, there is indeed a change in perspective on the state of Nebraska and what it has to offer. I think a lot of people in Nebraska believe the hype, and it's really a place for hard working people that are positive about their environment, but it is fairly delusional when compared to other places. It's probably still a good place to raise a family and it's better than Iowa and many other fly by states, but once you get to Colorado, Arizona, Texas, or Tennessee and further, one's opinion can indeed change. A buddy of mine once told me after coming to visit me in Arizona many years ago, he said "Man, this place makes Omaha look like a (explative) dump." And that was nearly 40 years ago.

Yeah, I don't mean to slight Nebraskans. This state is full of really good people. And that's its best attribute. Im glad I raised my family here. But I know that I have missed out on a lot of the worlds beauty and all it has to offer by choosing to live here. Hard to move once roots run deep.

 

[scarletred]

does that also apply to Tom and the old Big 8?

Regardless, Matt Rhule had a super easy schedule this year, and he eeked out a .538 winning percentage

Next year's schedule looks fairly manageable as well.

Yes, we could have won more games this year, and last year, and during SF's years.. so many close losses, it's easy to justify that we should be doing better than what the record shows. It would be nice if the world worked that way, but we all know it doesn't.

The majority of Osborne early years the Big 10 was the same as the Big 8 but more teams, It was Michigan and Ohio State and every once in awhile another team would pop up just like the Big 8.

Were in a new era today which we have never seen before with 18 team conference..