Staff change question

[jflores]

We've seen through a fair number of assistants now that most HC are loyal to a fault. I get that.

Does anyone also think that what we did to Frankie, basically encourages coaches to stick with what they know? We gave old Solich the ultimatum of staff changes, he made them, we saw immediate results in the W column, and promptly fired him anyway.

If a coach tends to be loyal anyway, and feels that a certain prevailing environment here means that staff changes or no, we aren't going to give it real serious consideration in firing decision, do you think it enters Riley's mind that he may as well go down with his guys?

 

[headcard]

I don't see how anything that happened with Solich would enter into this situation.

 

[jflores]

I don't see how anything that happened with Solich would enter into this situation.

We've basically set a precedent that even if we demand something, and you do it, you still can get fired.

I'm a little, but not overly, concerned that if a coach feels like the fan base isn't going to cut him any breaks on going outside his comfort zone, it'll just reinforce the idea he never needs to leave it.

Specifically thinking about Read. Riley has mentioned he has always had a dedicated ST coach. Not many college programs do. Usually falls under another coaching duty. Assuming he wanted to make a 1 for 1 switch with Read, how big is the pool of candidates for this?

 

[beerdawg69]

This program has been haunted by the Solich firing for many yrs. should have never happened. The Solich curse is alive....

 

[Sooner_or_Later]

Have said the same thing. This is our penance for the way we treated Frank after a staff overhaul. Would be nice to see him return to Lincoln someday to be recognized but don't think Frank is ready to forgive.

 

[GammaxuvirHusker]

Have said the same thing. This is our penance for the way we treated Frank after a staff overhaul. Would be nice to see him return to Lincoln someday to be recognized but don't think Frank is ready to forgive.

I remember feeling shocked when the news broke about Frank's firing. At the very least, he deserved another year. It's very weird the feeling of deja vu I have (2004 & this year).

 

[ExxHusker]

Would also like to see Frank reconcile with the program. We'd take his record today. Played for a national championship in 2001 against a truly great cane team - Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Andre Johnson, Jeremy Shocky..No shame in that. Won the conference and had the best team in college football in 1999. One fumble in Austin (sigh). Crushed Tennessee in the fiesta. Had a Heisman trophy winner and was fired enroute to a 10 win season. Also conference coach of the year..etc.

 

[BigRedballz]

Not disputing your claim that we played a great Miami team but Ray Lewis was not on it unless he spent about a decade at the U.

 

[ExxHusker]

My bad. He was on the Warren Sapp team?

 

[dinglefritz]

We've seen through a fair number of assistants now that most HC are loyal to a fault. I get that.

Does anyone also think that what we did to Frankie, basically encourages coaches to stick with what they know? We gave old Solich the ultimatum of staff changes, he made them, we saw immediate results in the W column, and promptly fired him anyway.

If a coach tends to be loyal anyway, and feels that a certain prevailing environment here means that staff changes or no, we aren't going to give it real serious consideration in firing decision, do you think it enters Riley's mind that he may as well go down with his guys?

You do realize that part of the reason Frank got canned was some of the staff he brought in don't you. One of SP's biggest concerns was recruiting and Frank brought in a guy that hated recruiting and virtually refused to do it. On top of that his brother did some despicable things as a GA that should have prevented him from ever setting foot on campus again. Frank made some mistakes that made his firing almost inevitable. Frank IMO would have no problem visiting NU now that Bo is gone. IMO Riley isn't "afraid of going down with his guys". Riley isn't going anywhere.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

Peadyshine wanted to hire a new coach, period. Frankie never stood a chance cause good ole peady wanted to make his mark on CFB and thought hiring a coach who had just coached in a Super Bowl was a no brainer over Solich. At the time, because of what Carroll was doing at USC, NFL coaches were all the rage. But none of that matters now.

 

[gldnglv165]

I really don't think the Solich firing has anything to do with a HC retaining or firing assistant coaches. I think coaches surround themselves with likeminded coaches that mesh well with their philosophies and can teach the way they want things to be taught. I also think that coaches know they could be fired any season, so they tend to be very loyal to their assistants.

That being said, I really don't see Riley shaking his coaching staff up after one season. He's got his guys, and they are our guys like it or not.

 

[Nebraska Gator II]

There is a better chance that Riley would retire at the end of the year, than make coaching changes where it needs to be changed the most-and that is Banker.

 

[dinglefritz]

Peadyshine wanted to hire a new coach, period. Frankie never stood a chance cause good ole peady wanted to make his mark on CFB and thought hiring a coach who had just coached in a Super Bowl was a no brainer over Solich. At the time, because of what Carroll was doing at USC, NFL coaches were all the rage. But none of that matters now.

The problem with your premise is that Frank was fired LONG before Callahan ever entered the picture. Dave Wannstedt was a friend of SP's from his days at Pitt and Wannie had agreed verbally to leave the Dolphins and take the NU job. I'm a Frankie fan but he made some mistakes one shouldn't make if you want to keep your job. After Wannie got his contract extended by the Dolphins, he back out on his verbal and stayed in Miami. Then he tried to hire current Viking HC Mike Zimmerer, Houston Nutt and finally BC. SP really screwed the pooch.

 

[dinglefritz]

There is a better chance that Riley would retire at the end of the year, than make coaching changes where it needs to be changed the most-and that is Banker.

And he isn't retiring so everybody just as well save their bullets.

 

[Nebraska Gator II]

And he isn't retiring so everybody just as well save their bullets.

Probably not...but losing can do things to coaches. Some of the things Riley has said in his press conferences make me think that he might be realizing he is in over his head. Don't forget Spurrier retired a few weeks ago. Spurrier realized he wasn't getting it done and knew he was in for a long rebuild process that wasn't going to be much fun. I think he got to the point where he thought, why mess with this crap, I could be playing golf or spending time with my family instead of beating my head against the wall.

 

[jflores]

You do realize that part of the reason Frank got canned was some of the staff he brought in don't you. One of SP's biggest concerns was recruiting and Frank brought in a guy that hated recruiting and virtually refused to do it. On top of that his brother did some despicable things as a GA that should have prevented him from ever setting foot on campus again. Frank made some mistakes that made his firing almost inevitable. Frank IMO would have no problem visiting NU now that Bo is gone. IMO Riley isn't "afraid of going down with his guys". Riley isn't going anywhere.

In 2003 I was at Iowa State, and I had witnessed first hand the Huskers losing 36-20 or whatever it was the year before when Lane Danielson and others made our team look like chumps on a cold, rainy day.

That was also the game where like a 90 something year old Husker lady with the white curly hair and everything, was yelling just unspeakable, racist comments at Darran Diedrick as he stood on the sideline before the team broke for the tunnel at half. Kind of eye opening for me at the time.

I believe that was also the comment where Alberts at halftime said on air that this shouldn't be happening as anyone NU had on the sideline was a thoroughbred compared to the ISU talent. I lived next to Danielson and saw JJ Moses and those guys on the regular, there was nothing really 2nd tier about them compared to NU unless you were going by combine/prototype numbers.

But no, at the time I didn't care about the particulars behind the scenes. It just appeared to everybody not in the know as crucifying Solich to modernize NU football.

 

[dinglefritz]

Probably not...but losing can do things to coaches. Some of the things Riley has said in his press conferences make me think that he might be realizing he is in over his head. Don't forget Spurrier retired a few weeks ago. Spurrier realized he wasn't getting it done and knew he was in for a long rebuild process that wasn't going to be much fun. I think he got to the point where he thought, why mess with this crap, I could be playing golf or spending time with my family instead of beating my head against the wall.

Spurrier is 70 I think and loves to golf. Spurrier also got paid tens of millions of dollars by both the Redskins and South Carolina. Riley hasn't made that kind of coin and I find it hard to believe that he would just walk away from 8-10 million dollars.

 

[jflores]

Probably not...but losing can do things to coaches. Some of the things Riley has said in his press conferences make me think that he might be realizing he is in over his head. Don't forget Spurrier retired a few weeks ago. Spurrier realized he wasn't getting it done and knew he was in for a long rebuild process that wasn't going to be much fun. I think he got to the point where he thought, why mess with this crap, I could be playing golf or spending time with my family instead of beating my head against the wall.

Spurrier is what, almost 10 years older and has had NFL and SEC opportunities?

Me having that and money in the bank, I"m fine walking away. If Riley wanted one last chance to drive a ferrari, I don't think he'll give up so easily. Especially when it doesn't pay to do so.

 

[jflores]

Probably not...but losing can do things to coaches. Some of the things Riley has said in his press conferences make me think that he might be realizing he is in over his head. Don't forget Spurrier retired a few weeks ago. Spurrier realized he wasn't getting it done and knew he was in for a long rebuild process that wasn't going to be much fun. I think he got to the point where he thought, why mess with this crap, I could be playing golf or spending time with my family instead of beating my head against the wall.

I'd be curious if you think his tone indicates he needs to bring in outside firepower.

 

[Nebraska Gator II]

I'd be curious if you think his tone indicates he needs to bring in outside firepower.

Not sure I understand what you are asking.

 

[Nebraska Gator II]

Spurrier is 70 I think and loves to golf. Spurrier also got paid tens of millions of dollars by both the Redskins and South Carolina. Riley hasn't made that kind of coin and I find it hard to believe that he would just walk away from 8-10 million dollars.

I am sure Riley isn't hurting for money. He made 2.7 million this year. He is old enough he could retire now. If he does realize he is in over his head, why stick around and get beat down by media and fans and deal with all that stress?

 

[jflores]

Not sure I understand what you are asking.

Well if he sounds like he's in over his head, do you think the implication for him then is he needs to look at just riding out his time and taking the payday or do you think he feels he needs to ditch his staff from Mayberry and try and find a way to get back on top of the game?

I have to think like pretty much every coach that rolls through a given program, he has supreme confidence in his folks' ability, but if he sounds fundamentally shaken to you, that may imply there is room for wiggle.

 

[dinglefritz]

I am sure Riley isn't hurting for money. He made 2.7 million this year. He is old enough he could retire now. If he does realize he is in over his head, why stick around and get beat down by media and fans and deal with all that stress?

You stick around for 8-10 million that's why. People endure a lot more than he is for a lot less money. You assume that fans are beating him down when if fact most of what he HEARS in person from MOST people is encouragement. IF he's sitting around listening to the drunks call in to Big Red Reaction or reading some of the dumbasses on this message board he isn't the right guy for the job.

 

[Nebraska Gator II]

Well if he sounds like he's in over his head, do you think the implication for him then is he needs to look at just riding out his time and taking the payday or do you think he feels he needs to ditch his staff from Mayberry and try and find a way to get back on top of the game?

I have to think like pretty much every coach that rolls through a given program, he has supreme confidence in his folks' ability, but if he sounds fundamentally shaken to you, that may imply there is room for wiggle.

No, I don't think he would make any staff changes. He would still be at Oregon State if he wasn't feeling so much pressure to get rid of Banker. The coach that needs to be replaced is Banker. There is no way he fires his best buddy....ever.

 

[Nebraska Gator II]

You stick around for 8-10 million that's why. People endure a lot more than he is for a lot less money. You assume that fans are beating him down when if fact most of what he HEARS in person from MOST people is encouragement. IF he's sitting around listening to the drunks call in to Big Red Reaction or reading some of the dumbasses on this message board he isn't the right guy for the job.

I have a sneaking suspicion he is about to find out what a lot of the Husker fans think about him...with home games against Michigan State and Iowa coming up. Chances are the boo birds will be out early and often.

 

[jflores]

I have a sneaking suspicion he is about to find out what a lot of the Husker fans think about him...with home games against Michigan State and Iowa coming up. Chances are the boo birds will be out early and often.

I would imagine that most fan interaction with Riley is courteous and polite, and probably generally upbeat.

Folks respect his position, a guy that has harsh things to say on a message board to me or other posters about Riley's lack of competence, in all likelihood isn't going to take the same tack to the guy in person if he runs across him on O street or something. Especially not considering Riley's general demeanor, there's not a lot of reason to just berate the guy out of the blue.

Riley probably doesn't enjoy if 30k people start booing at home, but its probably an entirely different experience than a guy standing right in front of you trying to pick you apart.

 

[jflores]

You stick around for 8-10 million that's why. People endure a lot more than he is for a lot less money. You assume that fans are beating him down when if fact most of what he HEARS in person from MOST people is encouragement. IF he's sitting around listening to the drunks call in to Big Red Reaction or reading some of the dumbasses on this message board he isn't the right guy for the job.

People go to war for years at a time for maybe a couple hundred K a year before taxes.

I can't imagine what I'd do for 10 million bucks. I certainly wouldn't give a crap what some nobody on a message board thinks.

 

[dinglefritz]

I have a sneaking suspicion he is about to find out what a lot of the Husker fans think about him...with home games against Michigan State and Iowa coming up. Chances are the boo birds will be out early and often.

8-10 million dollars for a few boos from fans? I'll take that. Lots of people get paid a few grand a month and have to deal with a jackass boss or overly demanding customers every day of their life.

 

[Nebraska Gator II]

I would imagine that most fan interaction with Riley is courteous and polite, and probably generally upbeat.

Folks respect his position, a guy that has harsh things to say on a message board to me or other posters about Riley's lack of competence, in all likelihood isn't going to take the same tack to the guy in person if he runs across him on O street or something. Especially not considering Riley's general demeanor, there's not a lot of reason to just berate the guy out of the blue.

Riley probably doesn't enjoy if 30k people start booing at home, but its probably an entirely different experience than a guy standing right in front of you trying to pick you apart.

I agree, most fans probably aren't going to say something to his face. Not like the Auburn fan at the airport greeting Chizik for the first time.

I generally feel bad for Riley. He is a nice guy and should never have been put into this situation.

 

[dinglefritz]

People go to war for years at a time for maybe a couple hundred K a year before taxes.

I can't imagine what I'd do for 10 million bucks. I certainly wouldn't give a crap what some nobody on a message board thinks.

Anybody that boos our own team is an idiot. The players will assume they are the ones being booed and you don't boo a bunch of 18-22 year old student athletes. That's the kind of boorish behavior we expect from the Pelinis and their Bolievers.

 

[supersport24]

You do realize that part of the reason Frank got canned was some of the staff he brought in don't you. One of SP's biggest concerns was recruiting and Frank brought in a guy that hated recruiting and virtually refused to do it. On top of that his brother did some despicable things as a GA that should have prevented him from ever setting foot on campus again. Frank made some mistakes that made his firing almost inevitable. Frank IMO would have no problem visiting NU now that Bo is gone. IMO Riley isn't "afraid of going down with his guys". Riley isn't going anywhere.

There is a reason Frank has not been back to NU since he was fired. The reason isn't Bo either. I think I have heard it all now.

 

[dinglefritz]

There is a reason Frank has not been back to NU since he was fired. The reason isn't Bo either. I think I have heard it all now.

Frank's family talks often with a close friend of mine in Lincoln.

 

[supersport24]

Frank's family talks often with a close friend of mine in Lincoln.

Frank is a huge reason Bo got the head coaching job in the first place. Frank would have came back to Nebraska while Tom was AD if he wanted to. The reasons are beyond Bo.

 

[beerdawg69]

Did I hear a Houston Nutt comment. Boy he played Stevey Boy. There was no doubt Solich should have been given another year. He made changes to his staff. That day he was fired was a dark day in Husker history...

 

[dinglefritz]

Frank is a huge reason Bo got the head coaching job in the first place. Frank would have came back to Nebraska while Tom was AD if he wanted to. The reasons are beyond Bo.

Only in that he hired Bo to be his DC and introduced him to the Hawks. I have it from a family member of Frank's that Frank warned Tom. Frank may have other reasons as well for not wanting to come back to NU but Bo and Frank are not buds.

 

[supersport24]

Only in that he hired Bo to be his DC and introduced him to the Hawks. I have it from a family member of Frank's that Frank warned Tom. Frank may have other reasons as well for not wanting to come back to NU but Bo and Frank are not buds.

Bo thanked Frank at his press conference for helping him get the job. I also find it very hard to believe Frank would take Carl on his staff at Ohio and Tom would hire Bo if Frank spoke badly about Bo. I have heard other reasons why Frank hasn't been back, but none of it had anything to do with Bo.

 

[dinglefritz]

Bo thanked Frank at his press conference for helping him get the job. I also find it very hard to believe Frank would take Carl on his staff at Ohio and Tom would hire Bo if Frank spoke badly about Bo. I have heard other reasons why Frank hasn't been back, but none of it had anything to do with Bo.

Bo should have thanked Frank for giving him his DC job. He paved the way for him to suck millions out of Nebraska. Bo had no idea at his first press conference what was or wasn't said about him to Tom when his name was being considered for the NU HC job. Frank had his own "Carl issues" to deal with at Ohio when Bo hired him at NU.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

The problem with your premise is that Frank was fired LONG before Callahan ever entered the picture. Dave Wannstedt was a friend of SP's from his days at Pitt and Wannie had agreed verbally to leave the Dolphins and take the NU job. I'm a Frankie fan but he made some mistakes one shouldn't make if you want to keep your job. After Wannie got his contract extended by the Dolphins, he back out on his verbal and stayed in Miami. Then he tried to hire current Viking HC Mike Zimmerer, Houston Nutt and finally BC. SP really screwed the pooch.

You're right. I did not word that correctly at all but in my head I knew exactly what I meant.

 

[dockentwo]

Have said the same thing. This is our penance for the way we treated Frank after a staff overhaul. Would be nice to see him return to Lincoln someday to be recognized but don't think Frank is ready to forgive.

No he is sleeping on a one way street ; showing the wrong direction detection. There were lots of issues and politics and he as well