Substance only please: Changes?

[jteten]

Forget the culture and Pelini/former staff nonsense. This struggle is about scheme changes, fundamental mistakes, coaching decisions and execution.

Stay the F'n course. If it doesn't show incredible signs of growth by the end of next season, then we are in trouble.

 

[rednwash]

Totally agree with this. Big name coach would have gotten the kids attention and respect out of the gate.

Maybe Bill Callahan would have come back. Having a big name coach would have solved everything.

 

[cubsker]

on the run game in the first half, we had a handful of QB under center, straight hand off plays up the middle that did work. I know we had one that went for an easy 8 or 9 yards. The next play, we line up with 1 back who is way off to the right behind the QB and then motion DPE. It was the most obv fly sweep in the world. NW stops it for no gain or maybe a loss of 1, and then we pass the next play and punt.

I think DL has a certain aversion to basic running plays. It's like he's allergic to running them more than one time on a drive, even when they are working.

 

[jimbosc]

Simple fix. Fire AD and entire coaching staff. Bring in proven head coach committed to the power running game and an aggressive defense. Pay whatever it takes to get the best assistant coaches possible. No one is hired unless they have a proven track record as an elite recruiter. Let the best players play, rather than the ones who kiss up to coaches in practice. Dump Adidas for Under Armour or Nike. Stop being the program of aw-shucks corn-fed bozos and play big boy ball again.

This is most likely to work - but also by far the most expensive option. If you have been paying attention to SE's marching orders....it is therefore not going to happen. The money guys want the product to keep making money - they don't care about wins unless it starts to impact the money. We are not the only team in this boat.

 

[spinner4]

Oh boy, this sounds phenomenal. And really simple too. While we're hiring all these "elite recruiters with proven track records",can we leave a spot for Peter Pan on the staff? Maybe as a grad assistant, that would be ideal.

There was an "elite recruiter with proven track record" that wanted to come to NU but he wasnt Riley's friend so he didn't get the job. Instead we got a 450k a year special teams coach that doesn't recruit and hasnt improved the special teams all that much if any. Riley never put together an elite staff. He put together a "comfortable" staff which doesn't usually work. You need people to challenge you. You need people to question you to make you better. Something I think this "friends" staff lacks.

 

[HuskerO]

Not necessarily disagreeing with you. I honestly dont know if MR has the players' respect or not but;

What is Mike Riley specifically saying or doing to not earn his players' respect?

Bump for @NikkiSixx

 

[Nebraska Gator II]

Bump for @NikkiSixx

Winning. It is a lot easier to get people to buy in when they see the results on the field. I think it is much more difficult when they are having struggles to get wins.

 

[HuskerO]

but a coach needs to have a certain amount of what

Winning. It is a lot easier to get people to buy in when they see the results on the field. I think it is much more difficult when they are having struggles to get wins.

Agree that winning certainly helps. Is that the only reason why Riley hasn't (allegedly) earned this teams respect?

 

[SEMO_yogi]

The culture is broken. It cannot be fixed this year.

Going forward, I'm not sure that our HC understands the Nebraska culture, and therefore I am unsure that he can fix it before he rides off into the sunset.

I think you have succinctly laid out the underlying root cause of our problems. Unfortunately, at 62 I'm not sure sure that MR has the wherewithal to change.

How I long for power football, Nebraska style.

 

[Nebraska Gator II]

There was an "elite recruiter with proven track record" that wanted to come to NU but he wasnt Riley's friend so he didn't get the job. Instead we got a 450k a year special teams coach that doesn't recruit and hasnt improved the special teams all that much if any. Riley never put together an elite staff. He put together a "comfortable" staff which doesn't usually work. You need people to challenge you. You need people to question you to make you better. Something I think this "friends" staff lacks.

The problem is you cannot dictate what staff a coach brings in...you have to let them run their program and live with the results. Now, after a couple seasons if things are not working, an AD can "recommend" staff changes.

What you can do as an athletic director is talk to him about his plan to build the team and what staff he wanted to bring and take that into consideration when making the hire. If you do not like the idea of him bringing his best buddy to be the DC, then you look for a different candidate. However, once you hire him you have to let him do his job and give him the authority to bring in his guys-whoever they may be.

 

[Marine8365]

Well, can the same be said for Gary Anderson wit HCMR's players, look at OSU record. I'm just sayin!

 

[regibson1]

This argument holds absolutely no water when you have a new staff. The personality of this team remains torn between the past and the present. To suggest that we make change to the staff (which is not happening) because the former culture is still rooted in a player's personality is a non-starter for me. That mentality is the past. It's over. So move forward with our new staff. If you don't love them but work your butt off? Play every snap? No big deal. But we have guys that aren't even close. And that doesn't even begin to address how some of that kind of attitude can affect a locker room.

The personalities of Riley and the previous coach are dramatically different. We have gone from a dictator and an abusive coach to a level headed and well respected coach. I think that the players are having problems adjusting to this change especially when the game is on the line. The players IMHO are looking for leadership from the sidelines instead of providing it themselves on the field. Riley needs to develop some leaders on offense and defense that make the other players on the field responsible for their play.

 

[rrthusker]

Sadly, we'd be running off the talented players.

Doesn`t matter. If they don`t buy in their talent is already wasted.

 

[Nebraska Gator II]

Agree that winning certainly helps. Is that the only reason why Riley hasn't (allegedly) earned this teams respect?

I cannot speak for what is going on in the Husker locker room...I was speaking more in general.

I do agree with the poster that said a different name might have helped (if this is in fact a problem). Doesn't even have to be a "big name". If you bring in Tom Herman as an example- young, enthusiastic, really smart and would have credibility as the OC for OSU offenses. A guy like that unifies the fan base and the locker room right away (in my opinion). I think if Herman was the head coach here, Nebraska would also be undefeated right now and everybody would be on board.

A guy like Riley had most of the fan base saying, what the heck?--which was likely the same response in the locker room. Riley won a lot of people over because he was a nice guy (following Pelini that was a big deal) and people found ways to justify they hire. When you look at the fan base-how many posters do you see say-I liked him, but I don't know about him now. If you see that in the fan base-it is possible that could be happening in the locker room also.

I would think the players still have enough pride that they are giving their full efforts. What I personally wonder about is if it is a mental hurdle now, that when they get into a close game late, are they thinking-here we go again.

 

[Harry Caray]

Yeah Ed O told the media he was waiting for a call from Riley and would be interested in a job. He even tweeted a picture of his family wearing Nebraska gear. Instead we hire some guy named Hank Hughes? And now LSU's D-Line is playing great and they have the #2 rated recruiting class in the country.

 

[Marine8365]

He has at a minimum through next year to make improvement.....

Serious question and honest answers because I'm really having a hard time accepting HCMR, but did SE really only have one person in mind and that was Reilly?

 

[Nebraska Gator II]

Yeah Ed O told the media he was waiting for a call from Riley and would be interested in a job. He even tweeted a picture of his family wearing Nebraska gear. Instead we hire some guy named Hank Hughes? And now LSU's D-Line is playing great and they have the #2 rated recruiting class in the country.

Seriously? Ed O is one of the best recruiters in the country and a pretty good d line coach too. That would have been a nice addition to the staff, if true.

 

[redfanusa]

Please supply us with this list of can't miss coaches who would come to Nebraska knowing we fired 2, nine win coaches and a very respected coach that got all of 1 season to prove himself. They don't exist because those guys have other options.

The List: Every Coach in America

Since you were apparently born yesterday, let me tell you how the REAL world works: money talks, bullshit walks. Throw enough money at someone, and with very few exceptions, they will switch jobs. The exceptions are those coaching at their alma maters, with deep family ties, or the few coaches who are already paid astronomical amounts at can't-miss destinations.

Evidence? Nick Saban was packing his bags for Austin before the news prematurely broke that he was talking to wealthy alumni. Had the rich alums not tried an end-around on the athletic director two years ago he could be sitting in his office at DKR right now. Everyone has their price, and that goes double for college football coaches.

Nebraska's main problem is that they keep trying to do things at thrift store prices, and are shocked when they get thrift store results.

 

[Nebraska Gator II]

He has at a minimum through next year to make improvement.....

Serious question and honest answers because I'm really having a hard time accepting HCMR, but did SE really only have one person in mind and that was Reilly?

I cannot answer your question. I do think that he had an entire year to investigate and look for coaches, because I think he knew that short of an amazing season-he was going to replace Bo at the end of the season. I think the only reason he brought Bo back after he dared SE to fire him, was to give him time to find his guy.

I can only assume that Riley met whatever critical factors SE has when deciding on a coach. I have heard SE has been a big fan or Riley for a long time...which maybe led him to having tunnel vision to get his guy-instead of being more thorough and leaving no stones unturned.

Probably a little early to give up on Riley. He could still turn it around. Will be interesting to see how he closes in recruiting and how the team performs next year.

 

[HuskerO]

The List: Every Coach in America

Since you were apparently born yesterday, let me tell you how the REAL world works: money talks, bullshit walks. Throw enough money at someone, and with very few exceptions, they will switch jobs. The exceptions are those coaching at their alma maters, with deep family ties, or the few coaches who are already paid astronomical amounts at can't-miss destinations.

Evidence? Nick Saban was packing his bags for Austin before the news prematurely broke that he was talking to wealthy alumni. Had the rich alums not tried an end-around on the athletic director two years ago he could be sitting in his office at DKR right now. Everyone has their price, and that goes double for college football coaches.

Nebraska's main problem is that they keep trying to do things at thrift store prices, and are shocked when they get thrift store results.

Nebraska didn't go thrift store on Urban Meyer back when Solich was fired. UM didn't come to Nebraska because of money. It was because of SP and because we fired a 9 win coach.

Never heard that Saban was packing bags for Texas.

 

[HuskerO]

Seriously? Ed O is one of the best recruiters in the country and a pretty good d line coach too. That would have been a nice addition to the staff, if true.

While I believe Ed O would have been a good addition as well, he wouldn't stay at Nebraska very long (unless he thought he'd be HC here someday). He moves around a lot which isn't a bad thing for him, just probably not MR wants.

@Harry Caray LSU would have a top defense and top recruiting class with or without Ed O. With that being said coach O is a great recruiter and position coach.

 

[nebcountry]

TA is jumping up in the air and throwing the ball, throwing off his back foot, throwing when he's falling down. TA is career 50% completion rate (about). Yet, we are throwing the ball 48 times (not including sacks and blown pass plays that don't get counted). I don't blame TA, he's playing how he plays. I know we had drops. Was it like 5? How does that compare to other teams? Are we dropping passes on similar plays?

There has to be some method to the madness we see in the play calling, or is there. N'western just got shellacked twice. And there's nothing we could learn from those two blowouts, and replicate to our favor.

 

[barney44]

Nebraska didn't go thrift store on Urban Meyer back when Solich was fired. UM didn't come to Nebraska because of money. It was because of SP and because we fired a 9 win coach.

I remember that comment by Meyer and it's a good thing that he turned out to be the real deal because he's at a program that is no different than Nebraska. You win 9 a year at Ohio State and lose to Michigan then you're going to lose your job. It's just the nature of the beast at big football programs.

 

[Gemini6]

From what i saw their is a large group of players that should be wearing YSU gear. Cause their heart isn't here.

agreed 100%. Riley knows who these guys are. He's put up with it long enough; bench 'em. Bring in young blood who want to play and bring in positive energy.

Also, enough of Newby. Please bring in Ozigbo and Wilbon (if Wilbon is out of the dog house). We need RB's who have vision and cutting ability. Newby has neither. As bad as the OL was, there were some decent holes. Newby completely missed them but as usual, headed directly into the pile of defenders.

Cavanaugh needs to drop his limited policy and start rotating in fresh OL. The current group isn't getting it done consistently. Get some guys in there who will be physical and want to be there. Sometimes changing up the OL makes thing click.

PLEASE no more screen passes. Bury that play. We can't run it period. It's ugly and kills us every time.

Riley needs to have a player meeting before practice Monday and set the record for this team regarding attitude, effort and PT. He's given these guys too much time to get their sh*t together. Enough is Enough!

 

[Nebraska Gator II]

While I believe Ed O would have been a good addition as well, he wouldn't stay at Nebraska very long (unless he thought he'd be HC here someday). He moves around a lot which isn't a bad thing for him, just probably not MR wants.

That is the nature of the business these days. He wouldn't leave unless he got offered a promotion somewhere else. I don't see anyone offering him to be a DC or head coach any time soon, so you just open up your check book or call him a Co-DC (to make him happy). If you did that I think he would stay for quite awhile.

Hell, that is what Florida did with Randy Shannon. He is a beast recruiter (especially in the fertile Miami area) and a really outstanding position coach...so UF gave him the title "Co-DC" even though he doesn't call any plays. He seems to be happy so far.

 

[Shocker_Fan]

We ran the ball a ton yesterday in multiple field position situations - it didn't matter. You can't cherry pick one play where the QB also happened to make a massive mistake and say Lang made a mistake. On roll outs like that we have both thrown and run for 1st downs this year.

Re: punting. What are the referring to? We tried to punt for field position lots of times yesterday and Sam wasn't quite as sharp as usual.

Drop hurt bad again but as you note I'm not sure how we change that.

Fultz was bad yesterday with punting NW deep. Could have pinned them deep several times but he did not. KO and punt coverage teams are also not up to par this year. Need an infusion of guys that want to make plays. Reed is an expert on special teams and now he just needs the players to execute.

 

[Shocker_Fan]

agreed 100%. Riley knows who these guys are. He's put up with it long enough; bench 'em. Bring in young blood who want to play and bring in positive energy.

Also, enough of Newby. Please bring in Ozigbo and Wilbon (if Wilbon is out of the dog house). We need RB's who have vision and cutting ability. Newby has neither. As bad as the OL was, there were some decent holes. Newby completely missed them but as usual, headed directly into the pile of defenders.

Cavanaugh needs to drop his limited policy and start rotating in fresh OL. The current group isn't getting it done consistently. Get some guys in there who will be physical and want to be there. Sometimes changing up the OL makes thing click.

PLEASE no more screen passes. Bury that play. We can't run it period. It's ugly and kills us every time.

Riley needs to have a player meeting before practice Monday and set the record for this team regarding attitude, effort and PT. He's given these guys too much time to get their sh*t together. Enough is Enough!

Wilbon is a major liability in the passing game with pass pro. If we were just running the ball it would be a different story but we are a balanced team that needs the RB to pick up blitzes.

 

[Gemini6]

Wilbon is a major liability in the passing game with pass pro. If we were just running the ball it would be a different story but we are a balanced team that needs the RB to pick up blitzes.

Really? how do you know that for a fact? how many plays as Wilbon played this season? I know it's the common theme to say Wilbon is not good at pass pro. Everyone keeps repeating this as if it's set in stone. I haven't seen him play enough to make that determination, have you? BTW, I've seen Newby wiff several times on Pass Pro. He ain't perfect either.

Wilbon isn't playing because of pass pro. It has more to do with something off field. I was hopeful by now, that would have been resolved. Obviously it hasn't been.

 

[Lincoln100]

At the start of the game yesterday, there was talk from the announcers that Tommy said he was working on staying in the pocket. I think this is a terrible idea. He's not a pocket passer. He needs to go through his first 2 looks and if he doesn't throw it then get out; either by going up field if open, or horizontal to let guys get open. It would also make sense for us to get JW, P'El, and maybe Morgan in one on one's and let them make plays on the ball.

 

[jeans15]

I just want to win ball games. We can't afford losing seasons at this point. We are almost dead last in the B1G West. This division is horrible. No coach regardless of it being their first year or not, should be in this position at Nebraska.

Based upon Tommy's history against Purdue. We may lose next week too.

 

[Harry Caray]

While I believe Ed O would have been a good addition as well, he wouldn't stay at Nebraska very long (unless he thought he'd be HC here someday). He moves around a lot which isn't a bad thing for him, just probably not MR wants.

I don't see why that would matter, considering Riley is 62 years old and probably won't be coaching a whole lot longer anyway. If he would have left after a year or two, I'm sure Hank Hughes would have still been available. That's like not recruiting McDonald's All-Americans because you're afraid they will go to the NBA after one year.

I just know that the LSU fans I know are thrilled about how Coach O has improved their D-Line and is bringing in recruits. I would take 2 years of Coach O over a lifetime of Hank Hughes.

 

[ssmill777]

From what i saw their is a large group of players that should be wearing YSU gear. Cause their heart isn't here.

Therein lies the heart of our "problems".

 

[Archie Graham]

Lots of good posts coming from rational husker fans in this thread. It's really good to see that.

I've seen very few people who are critical comment on my original question. We tried it all yesterday and nobody has much of an answer. The whole 'try another guy' sound great until you try the next guy and realize he isn't any better. Whether that is OL, RB, or QB. We are playing the best we have in the eyes of our staff and there is no evidence what-so-ever that anyone on this staff is playing favorites.

Husker fans need to be patient and take the ride. Riley will be here (IMO) for five years minimum. The people in power (not just SE) know that Nebraska needed a full overhaul. Riley might not be the guy to do it but that's the reality on the ground. He needs time to recruit, get his guys in place, and build. Onward.

 

[ssmill777]

The culture is broken. It cannot be fixed this year.

Going forward, I'm not sure that our HC understands the Nebraska culture, and therefore I am unsure that he can fix it before he rides off into the sunset.

I would agree and also add - I don't think Riley is a strong enough leader to turn it around.

 

[Archie Graham]

Really? how do you know that for a fact? how many plays as Wilbon played this season? I know it's the common theme to say Wilbon is not good at pass pro. Everyone keeps repeating this as if it's set in stone. I haven't seen him play enough to make that determination, have you? BTW, I've seen Newby wiff several times on Pass Pro. He ain't perfect either.

Wilbon isn't playing because of pass pro. It has more to do with something off field. I was hopeful by now, that would have been resolved. Obviously it hasn't been.

It doesn't really matter though. He's not playing here unless he cleans it up.

 

[Archie Graham]

The List: Every Coach in America

Since you were apparently born yesterday, let me tell you how the REAL world works: money talks, bullshit walks. Throw enough money at someone, and with very few exceptions, they will switch jobs. The exceptions are those coaching at their alma maters, with deep family ties, or the few coaches who are already paid astronomical amounts at can't-miss destinations.

Evidence? Nick Saban was packing his bags for Austin before the news prematurely broke that he was talking to wealthy alumni. Had the rich alums not tried an end-around on the athletic director two years ago he could be sitting in his office at DKR right now. Everyone has their price, and that goes double for college football coaches.

Nebraska's main problem is that they keep trying to do things at thrift store prices, and are shocked when they get thrift store results.

Downvote.

 

[tony3348]

Obviously everyone was upset we lost another close one. I've gone back through and watched yesterdays game again and would like to hear what people think we could do differently. With respect, please don't tell me we should 'run more' or other equivalent notes that don't really explain how we should get the job done better.

The run was stuffed. The pass didn't get the job done. I'm not sure there is anything Langs could have called yesterday that would have worked. I didn't chart the game but we mixed in short, middle, and long yardage throws. We tried lots of variations in the run game. We got dominated. Add in the pick six? Ugh. We were right before half and Northwestern had one first down and a 14-5 lead. Tough to be mad at the defense (see below).

Defense was strong until late in the game. Stinks they couldn't keep it going all game but they eventually found ways to move the chains once they started doing a better job with blitz assignments and we had trouble getting pressure. We have seen that problem before. The only played I hated was the poorly timed corner blitz that require R.I. to have to cover 1 v. 1 down the field. That being said, that's the kind of risk you have to take when you can't get any pressure.

I'm open to a conversation with anyone who wants to talk details.

Archie, my view of the game matches yours. We couldn't run consistently. The team has improved penalties and turnovers (with obvious exception of Tommy's IT) but we can't get a running game going.
This Oline is weak, even though filled with juniors and seniors. We don't have a replacement for Gates, but I would look for bringing in other guards to improve run blocking. If we don't have replacements, I would keep two backs in the backfield to help blocking and give Tommy swing pass options.

 

[Nebraska Gator II]

At the start of the game yesterday, there was talk from the announcers that Tommy said he was working on staying in the pocket. I think this is a terrible idea. He's not a pocket passer. He needs to go through his first 2 looks and if he doesn't throw it then get out; either by going up field if open, or horizontal to let guys get open. It would also make sense for us to get JW, P'El, and maybe Morgan in one on one's and let them make plays on the ball.

The point of staying in the pocket is because it is too easy to miss wide open receivers when you decide to take off early. Being patient in the pocket and reading the defense is what will make him a better QB (if he can learn to go through his progressions). Tommy is not necessarily a guy that couldn't be a pocket passer. He has a strong arm and can make every throw. More often than not I think his inaccuracy is because of indecisiveness. When he has his guy open, I think he throws the ball accurate most of the time. When his guy isn't open is when he normally makes poor throws.

 

[Archie Graham]

Archie how much time do you give a 61 year old man? He isn't exactly killing it on the recruiting trail either.

Five years unless in years 3-4 the wheels are totally falling off. What happens in the first couple years don't concern me too much.

What don't you like about our recruits? We have several that are absolutely murdering it right now. Like video game numbers. Do you require more stars? Plenty of the guys we have recruited have gained major traction but we identified them first. My only concern would be JUCO evaluations but JUCO recruiting is different than HS recruiting.

 

[Archie Graham]

Archie, my view of the game matches yours. We couldn't run consistently. The team has improved penalties and turnovers (with obvious exception of Tommy's IT) but we can't get a running game going.
This Oline is weak, even though filled with juniors and seniors. We don't have a replacement for Gates, but I would look for bringing in other guards to improve run blocking. If we don't have replacements, I would keep two backs in the backfield to help blocking and give Tommy swing pass options.

Certainly worth a try. Tommy's touch passes on screen though? Yikes. Certainly not his strong point but I agree that we have to continue to push screens, WR bubbles, etc. to try and extended the running game.

Gates is really good but I underestimated how much losing him would hurt.