My observation.... what Nebraska has become

[IndHusker7]

Im a long time lurker and post rarely, I admit it and I'm not trolling. I also want Riley to succeed and i think he is doing a decent job.

However, we don't play like the big boys, but we think of ourselves as the big boys. The administration at Nebraska doesn't seem like they are relentless and striving for being a premiere program.

I know we are so hungry for our success and for our return. But meanwhile programs are forking out the dough.

Example 1: Ohio State: They have one bad offensive game (drubbing) and what do they do? They are so proactive and rentless in their pursuit of titles they pay and get Kevin Wilson. They pay and get Greg Schiano. I mean these are experienced coaches, former head coaches. They are committed to championships.

Michigan throws a ton of money to Harbaugh. Programs are paying and getting great coaches.

I hate hearing its Nebraska. It's hard to recruit here, it's success is in the past. Why do we settle. When Frank was fired AD Peterson said we would not surrender the conference to Oklahoma and Texas. That comment was great and it fired me up.

However it lead to an underwhelming coaching search and hire? And two more after that? Why? We aren't paying? I don't understand we have the money especially in the Big Ten.

We are doing better in recruiting since Pelini the coaches are working their tails off but we still settled with Riley and that's not a shot or a lack of support. It's the big boy mentality that we don't have but we all want and once owned. Why didn't we throw big bucks at a no doubt hire? Why aren't we relentless? Why aren't we committed? Some coaches we hired aren't bad but why don't we go all out?!?!?! Other programs are doing it and they are benefiting.

I just don't understand it. Riley isn't a bad coach but why don't we throw the big boy money. Anyone and I repeat anyone would come to Nebraska if you payed accordingly.

I'm convinced our administration just isn't committed and I'm convinced that if I was the AD I would be the most beloved man in Nebraska lol. We need to be a big boy!

 

[nebcountry]

For better or worse, we made our bed and now we have to lie in it. Riley will be here until he no longer meets the performance criteria of his job, or builds up so much good will from overperforming that he can't be fired.

And to remove confusion, OhSU didn't fire anybody, Urban Meyer fired them. Maybe because he expects more, as you say, committed to championships.

 

[SilentCommit]

Im a long time lurker and post rarely, I admit it and I'm not trolling. I also want Riley to succeed and i think he is doing a decent job.

However, we don't play like the big boys, but we think of ourselves as the big boys. The administration at Nebraska doesn't seem like they are relentless and striving for being a premiere program.

I know we are so hungry for our success and for our return. But meanwhile programs are forking out the dough.

Example 1: Ohio State: They have one bad offensive game (drubbing) and what do they do? They are so proactive and rentless in their pursuit of titles they pay and get Kevin Wilson. They pay and get Greg Schiano. I mean these are experienced coaches, former head coaches. They are committed to championships.

Michigan throws a ton of money to Harbaugh. Programs are paying and getting great coaches.

I hate hearing its Nebraska. It's hard to recruit here, it's success is in the past. Why do we settle. When Frank was fired AD Peterson said we would not surrender the conference to Oklahoma and Texas. That comment was great and it fired me up.

However it lead to an underwhelming coaching search and hire? And two more after that? Why? We aren't paying? I don't understand we have the money especially in the Big Ten.

We are doing better in recruiting since Pelini the coaches are working their tails off but we still settled with Riley and that's not a shot or a lack of support. It's the big boy mentality that we don't have but we all want and once owned. Why didn't we throw big bucks at a no doubt hire? Why aren't we relentless? Why aren't we committed? Some coaches we hired aren't bad but why don't we go all out?!?!?! Other programs are doing it and they are benefiting.

I just don't understand it. Riley isn't a bad coach but why don't we throw the big boy money. Anyone and I repeat anyone would come to Nebraska if you payed accordingly.

I'm convinced our administration just isn't committed and I'm convinced that if I was the AD I would be the most beloved man in Nebraska lol. We need to be a big boy!

I'd humbly submit that while I sympathize with your position, it's flawed. "Opening the checkbook" and paying any sum required isn't a panacea that will cure all ills. For every Urban Meyer, there's a Charlie Strong. For every Nick Saban, there's a Brian Kelly. For every Jim Harbaugh, there's a Charlie Weis. Now then, if you have a problem with how Nebraska spends it's resources....that's entirely different. It's also completely subjective.

Take heart. The 90's aren't coming back, but we can still reach elite status.

 

[jflores]

Nick Saban has won the majority of the championships in the last 10 years.

Quite frankly, everyone else is doing it wrong.

Harbaugh has as many East division titles as Riley has West. And I'm pretty sure Jay Harbaugh is not the peer of Kevin Wilson or Schiano.

 

[TheBeav815]

It's not accurate that you can just get anyone if you dump cash at them. If that were true then Nick Saban would be coaching at Texas because don't think UT hasn't kicked the tires on that. Michigan didn't get Harbaugh just because they paid him a ton. They got him because he and the 49ers were sick of each other and because he's a Michigan alum, and they had a lot of talent, and they paid him a ton.

Same story with Meyer at OSU. He deemed the conditions to be just right for him to go there and start winning NOW. So he went and he started winning.

Some "home run" coach isn't going to go leave his stocked roster to come and rebuild Nebraska for 3 years before they're ready.

NU is doing exactly what they should be doing: Hire a guy who will run the program respectably and will upgrade the recruiting culture to get some talent back into the program. If he wins with that talent, he'll stay. If he doesn't then will be the time to see if a "home run" is ready and willing to come take over that talent and take it to the next level.

We wanna talk like blue bloods but we've got lower-second-tier talent right now. Until that changes, all the rest of the talk is just that...talk.

 

[Truehuskerfan]

Every time I hear somebody talk about throwing big money at a big name hire, I always say-who? Give us a name. And yet most of the time people can't come up with a name. There's a difference in talking in generalities about a big name coach and actually coming up with the name of one that is realistic. So I'll ask again-who was this big name coach that we were supposed to throw big money at?

 

[jflores]

Every time I hear somebody talk about throwing big money at a big name hire, I always say-who? Give us a name. And yet most of the time people can't come up with a name. There's a difference in talking in generalities about a big name coach and actually coming up with the name of one that is realistic. So I'll ask again-who was this big name coach that we were supposed to throw big money at?

Yah that's my peeve as well. Inevitably it boils down to Meyer and Saban, and whole lot of Russian roulette. Which Zatechka made the point so clear on his podcast during the Riley hire.

 

[JohnRossEwing]

Every time I hear somebody talk about throwing big money at a big name hire, I always say-who? Give us a name. And yet most of the time people can't come up with a name. There's a difference in talking in generalities about a big name coach and actually coming up with the name of one that is realistic. So I'll ask again-who was this big name coach that we were supposed to throw big money at?

Chip Kelly

You are welcome.

Let me guess your response: "He isn't coming here"

See how that works...you get mad that people say "Throw money" and then you come back with the "Well, he isn't coming here anyway"

We don't know...the last two searches included Turner Gill, Bo Pelini and Mike Riley (Since SE said he only contacted him)

If you don't ask...you don't know.

 

[SilentCommit]

For better or worse, we made our bed and now we have to lie in it. Riley will be here until he no longer meets the performance criteria of his job, or builds up so much good will from overperforming that he can't be fired.

And to remove confusion, OhSU didn't fire anybody, Urban Meyer fired them. Maybe because he expects more, as you say, committed to championships.

I offer you Hank Hughes and Bruce Read.

 

[bigboxes]

It's not accurate that you can just get anyone if you dump cash at them. If that were true then Nick Saban would be coaching at Texas because don't think UT hasn't kicked the tires on that. Michigan didn't get Harbaugh just because they paid him a ton. They got him because he and the 49ers were sick of each other and because he's a Michigan alum, and they had a lot of talent, and they paid him a ton.

Same story with Meyer at OSU. He deemed the conditions to be just right for him to go there and start winning NOW. So he went and he started winning.

Some "home run" coach isn't going to go leave his stocked roster to come and rebuild Nebraska for 3 years before they're ready.

NU is doing exactly what they should be doing: Hire a guy who will run the program respectably and will upgrade the recruiting culture to get some talent back into the program. If he wins with that talent, he'll stay. If he doesn't then will be the time to see if a "home run" is ready and willing to come take over that talent and take it to the next level.

We wanna talk like blue bloods but we've got lower-second-tier talent right now. Until that changes, all the rest of the talk is just that...talk.

Exactly what I believe. Riley is a respectable coach who will leave our program better than he received it.

 

[LBremser]

Every time I hear somebody talk about throwing big money at a big name hire, I always say-who? Give us a name. And yet most of the time people can't come up with a name. There's a difference in talking in generalities about a big name coach and actually coming up with the name of one that is realistic. So I'll ask again-who was this big name coach that we were supposed to throw big money at?

We are paying SE $1,000,000 per year to figure that out.

 

[Bugeater]

Nick Saban has won the majority of the championships in the last 10 years.

Quite frankly, everyone else is doing it wrong.

Harbaugh has as many East division titles as Riley has West. And I'm pretty sure Jay Harbaugh is not the peer of Kevin Wilson or Schiano.

J, do you think Saban could have won a NC at Mich State, or Nebraska had he somehow ended in in Lincoln? Personally, I think he could have at either. Maybe a tougher road due to location, but he just seems like one of those coaches who could have gotten a title at one or the other, destiny of sorts.

Or perhaps a close but no cigar scenario.

 

[jflores]

J, do you think Saban could have won a NC at Mich State, or Nebraska had he somehow ended in in Lincoln? Personally, I think he could have at either. Maybe a tougher road due to location, but he just seems like one of those coaches who could have gotten a title at one or the other, destiny of sorts.

Or perhaps a close but no cigar scenario.

If he stayed at MSU, probably not.

Post LSU, where he built his name on SEC talent? He could do it pretty much anywhere. They'll follow.

 

[IndHusker7]

Basically I mean we have had openings under pelini and Riley and although JP and Williams seem to be solid other programs would have took a stab at Orgeron before he got the LSU gig. Be honest if we had fired langs, unwarranted at this point, would we even take a stab at a big name guy like Wilson or if we didn't want to go that offense's route another guy. Seems like most of the time we never target big name guys and we "settle". And who knows sure we can miss if we paid and targeted someone a blue chipper coach but I rather swing for the fences at this point than keep doing the sacrifice bunt

 

[Bugeater]

If he stayed at MSU, probably not.

Post LSU, where he built his name on SEC talent? He could do it pretty much anywhere. They'll follow.

Indeed.

 

[SilentCommit]

Chip Kelly

You are welcome.

Let me guess your response: "He isn't coming here"

See how that works...you get mad that people say "Throw money" and then you come back with the "Well, he isn't coming here anyway"

We don't know...the last two searches included Turner Gill, Bo Pelini and Mike Riley (Since SE said he only contacted him)

If you don't ask...you don't know.

I think he'd be a homerun hire, but I'm not able to concur it's a guarantee. He is unemployed (again) for a reason, yes?

 

[jdrpbill]

I will throw Les Miles out there, he has the best win percentage in the SEC. He might not be Nick Saban but he would be the best football coach we have had since Osborne. He would be expensive but not the highest paid coach by any means. We pay Riley 2.8 million, which is a bottom tier salary in the power 5 conferences. Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, Michigan State and Iowa all pay more, Wisconsin pays 2.7 million. I am not saying hire Les Miles, but you all say name a coach. The point I think that is being missed is that we are paying bottom prices and trying to get a good coach. If a quality coach becomes available we can't be afraid to open the checkbook and take a chance.

 

[jflores]

Part of the issue here is what the fan base and university would be willing to accept in terms of character for staff.

Chip Kelly had the recruiting no no's. Kevin Wilson just had the deal that got him released at a peer institution for player treatment.

NU does not seem like it wants to be the poster child for collecting talented cast offs, regardless of what public shame it brings them. Meyer seems to have no problem faking his death to get into a coaching position he'd take, and that doesn't seem in line with NU fan expectation either.

The same issues apply to folks like Tosh Lupoi and Orgeron.

The only guy I was sad to see us pass on for an OC was Chad Morris, and he doesn't have any black eyes I can think of the that might keep him out of the running here.

 

[jflores]

One issue I have with Les Miles is he seems like a sexier version of Solich. He won a title with Saban's players and then drove LSU basically into the ground. The guy never really had an offense, although that could be fixed with the right OC hire (although when he was king money bags at LSU, why didn't he then?).

 

[Truehuskerfan]

Chip Kelly

You are welcome.

Let me guess your response: "He isn't coming here"

See how that works...you get mad that people say "Throw money" and then you come back with the "Well, he isn't coming here anyway"

We don't know...the last two searches included Turner Gill, Bo Pelini and Mike Riley (Since SE said he only contacted him)

If you don't ask...you don't know.

Chip Kelly was coaching the Philadelphia Eagles when we hired Riley. We were supposed to try to throw money at him to leave the NFL after just 2 seasons and come here? Or are you suggesting we are supposed to fire Riley now and hire Kelly?

 

[otismotis08]

Im a long time lurker and post rarely, I admit it and I'm not trolling. I also want Riley to succeed and i think he is doing a decent job.

However, we don't play like the big boys, but we think of ourselves as the big boys. The administration at Nebraska doesn't seem like they are relentless and striving for being a premiere program.

I know we are so hungry for our success and for our return. But meanwhile programs are forking out the dough.

Example 1: Ohio State: They have one bad offensive game (drubbing) and what do they do? They are so proactive and rentless in their pursuit of titles they pay and get Kevin Wilson. They pay and get Greg Schiano. I mean these are experienced coaches, former head coaches. They are committed to championships.

Michigan throws a ton of money to Harbaugh. Programs are paying and getting great coaches.

I hate hearing its Nebraska. It's hard to recruit here, it's success is in the past. Why do we settle. When Frank was fired AD Peterson said we would not surrender the conference to Oklahoma and Texas. That comment was great and it fired me up.

However it lead to an underwhelming coaching search and hire? And two more after that? Why? We aren't paying? I don't understand we have the money especially in the Big Ten.

We are doing better in recruiting since Pelini the coaches are working their tails off but we still settled with Riley and that's not a shot or a lack of support. It's the big boy mentality that we don't have but we all want and once owned. Why didn't we throw big bucks at a no doubt hire? Why aren't we relentless? Why aren't we committed? Some coaches we hired aren't bad but why don't we go all out?!?!?! Other programs are doing it and they are benefiting.

I just don't understand it. Riley isn't a bad coach but why don't we throw the big boy money. Anyone and I repeat anyone would come to Nebraska if you payed accordingly.

I'm convinced our administration just isn't committed and I'm convinced that if I was the AD I would be the most beloved man in Nebraska lol. We need to be a big boy!

You should post more often. We don't make the big boy moves, and so we're on the slow road to relevancy. Hopefully. Fans of many other second-tier programs say the same thing.

 

[jflores]

I will throw Les Miles out there, he has the best win percentage in the SEC. He might not be Nick Saban but he would be the best football coach we have had since Osborne. He would be expensive but not the highest paid coach by any means. We pay Riley 2.8 million, which is a bottom tier salary in the power 5 conferences. Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, Michigan State and Iowa all pay more, Wisconsin pays 2.7 million. I am not saying hire Les Miles, but you all say name a coach. The point I think that is being missed is that we are paying bottom prices and trying to get a good coach. If a quality coach becomes available we can't be afraid to open the checkbook and take a chance.

I think if we wanted to hire a Miles we'd pay the piper. You can't offer him 3 certainly.

However, the vast majority of coaches on the coaching carousel, aren't worth paying 6 or 8 mill a year, just to say you are willing to do it.

 

[jflores]

You should post more often. We don't make the big boy moves, and so we're on the slow road to relevancy. Hopefully. Fans of many other second-tier programs say the same thing.

What's a big boy move here? Throw 6 million at Fleck?

See if Jimmy Johnson or Bill Cowher are tired of the morning show circuit?

The last big boy opportunity was throwing that kind of money at Herman when he was an OC.

 

[IndHusker7]

Chris Peterson, Chip Kelly, I mean if a source said we were targeting them, fine you don't get them. But say following Pelini a source said Nebraska is targeting these guys that would be playing as a big boy, but it's like we settle or like the admin isnt committed to championships. you have to admit we are never in on a big name. When Shawn Watson was fired, no big name. When Carl Pelini left no big name. Meanwhile other programs hire a Schiano or Steele or Venebles (spelling?) or Leavitt from CU.

 

[IndHusker7]

Cu isn't a big name either but if we got Leavitt in here as a D coordinator I think most of us would say that's progress. I feel like we are losing our luster when really it could be a question on what's the mentality of NUs admin.

 

[IndHusker7]

I know he left for Oregon

 

[jflores]

Chris Peterson, Chip Kelly, I mean if a source said we were targeting them, fine you don't get them. But say following Pelini a source said Nebraska is targeting these guys that would be playing as a big boy, but it's like we settle or like the admin isnt committed to championships. you have to admit we are never in on a big name. When Shawn Watson was fired, no big name. When Carl Pelini left no big name. Meanwhile other programs hire a Schiano or Steele or Venebles (spelling?) or Leavitt from CU.

Sometimes I wonder if fans are paying attention. Steele down at Bama told us "no interest" and the guy at FSU I'm blanking on his name at the moment, big time recruiter, also said the same. Riley could have used those guys.

Peterson was contacted and said he wasn't interested was a fairly open secret around the AD and message boards. He has since basically said he wasn't leaving the Pacific NW/West coast and his target schools were extremely limited.

Beck wasn't a big name to replace Watson, but so far since he's left NU he's been OC at OSU and UT for two top shelf coaches. I'd say that's a pretty fair assessment of his talent.

Although I will grant you a little bit of a point on that one, that's the time I thought we should get Morris, as he was clearly interested.

 

[Truehuskerfan]

Chris Peterson, Chip Kelly, I mean if a source said we were targeting them, fine you don't get them. But say following Pelini a source said Nebraska is targeting these guys that would be playing as a big boy

Chris Petersen was not leaving Washington after just one season and Chip Kelly was not leaving the NFL after two seasons. What's the point in targeting big names that you know aren't coming? For a PR stunt to show that we are a "big boy"?

 

[IndHusker7]

But I wonder if we weren't skimpy on the salary if the "no interest " would still be a problem. I understand there are solid no interest but you have to also wonder if these coaches feel constrained on what the admin can offer them and their assistants.

 

[Truehuskerfan]

But I wonder if we weren't skimpy on the salary if the "no interest " would still be a problem. I understand there are solid no interest but you have to also wonder if these coaches feel constrained on what the admin can offer them and their assistants.

Who says we are skimpy on the salaries offered? Do you know how much we offer? This is part of the problem-thinking that it's all about money. That if you offer a boatload of money that anybody will go anywhere. It isn't that simple.

 

[nebcountry]

I offer you Hank Hughes and Bruce Read.

And that hit the nail on the head. Some coaches/schools are committed to championships (see OP), and some coaches are committed to hiring friends and friends of friends. DWilliams may be the first hire by RIley of somebody that he hasn't worked with before or was recommended by a coordinator.

Really the most this thread can be is a discussion for discussions sake, as we're not in any part of a cycle to be considering new hires.

What's a big boy move here? Throw 6 million at Fleck?

See if Jimmy Johnson or Bill Cowher are tired of the morning show circuit?

The last big boy opportunity was throwing that kind of money at Herman when he was an OC.

We'll have another big boy opportunity if the early signing/additional coach get voted in. I'm 50/50 that if we can hire another coach that it will be just another OrSU guy.

 

[IndHusker7]

It was just an example say we fired Riley today, not going to happen, with some of the guys available to any one of you actually believe Shawn and our admin would target them. I don't feel we have that mentality, we'd as a fan base would throw out those names (lots of guys available) but we wouldn't, I honestly think Nebraska wouldn't pay up or wouldn't and that's my point. There's a problem here

 

[jflores]

But I wonder if we weren't skimpy on the salary if the "no interest " would still be a problem. I understand there are solid no interest but you have to also wonder if these coaches feel constrained on what the admin can offer them and their assistants.

Do you have evidence that we went to these guys and said "we realize you make big money at all these places, but we'd like you to take our starting salary".

If you go after a guy like Peterson or assistants like Steele, you are willing to pay the requisite money.

 

[Truehuskerfan]

And that hit the nail on the head. Some coaches/schools are committed to championships (see OP), and some coaches are committed to hiring friends and friends of friends. DWilliams may be the first hire by RIley of somebody that he hasn't worked with before or was recommended by a coordinator.

Brian Stewart? Keith Williams? John Parrella?

 

[jflores]

It was just an example say we fired Riley today, not going to happen, with some of the guys available to any one of you actually believe Shawn and our admin would target them. I don't feel we have that mentality, we'd as a fan base would throw out those names (lots of guys available) but we wouldn't, I honestly think Nebraska wouldn't pay up or wouldn't and that's my point. There's a problem here

Well look, there's substance and window dressing. Two of the top coaches in America have hired Tim Beck to run their offense. And they have their choice of big names.

And here we are talking about how we don't "go after the best guys" and should go after "the big names".

We have one thing in common with Tom Herman and Urban Meyer, we had Tim Beck on staff as OC. Yet we're slamming it as a "not big name".

 

[jflores]

Brian Stewart? Keith Williams? John Parrella?

Sucks for him basically half the staff doesn't make his point when you include Donte W.

 

[nebcountry]

Brian Stewart? Keith Williams? John Parrella?

You're right. I forgot about Stewart and Williams. Parrella and Riley were both at the Chargers iirc.

 

[Truehuskerfan]

You're right. I forgot about Stewart and Williams. Parrella and Riley were both at the Chargers iirc.

Parrella was a player there when Riley was the coach. Not the same as coaching together.

 

[jflores]

You're right. I forgot about Stewart and Williams. Parrella and Riley were both at the Chargers iirc.

IIRC, San Diego is not where OrSU resides. which was the basis of your 50/50 point.

 

[nebcountry]

Sucks for him basically half the staff doesn't make his point when you include Donte W.

I guess by "him" that you're referring to me. It doesn't suck for me, it sucks for Husker football.