In many cases people seem to think that coaching changes, or any dynamic within the athletic department are done in a vacuum, or in a silo, in relation to UNL as a whole. I am not advocating for a head-coaching change nor am I saying we should keep Riley long term, but is important to know how things work before anybody advocates on any course of action. This is a pretty simplistic synopsis, and others may be more informed than I, but before anybody says anything should be done all these factors come into play.
Chancellor Ronnie Green-
His role is to make Nebraska the best educational institution it can be. He honestly does not want to deal with the athletic department and all of its drama, but he does oversee the athletic director. His main role in terms of football is if a coaching change needs to take place, via the BOR or booster pressure, does he allow Eichorst to hire a replacement, or does he say Eichorst already failed once, and does he get another chance to 'get it right'? At most universities, the AD does not get a chance to hire two coaches when they both had to be fired.
Board of Regents-
It has been well documented that the board of regents is very much divided on Eichorst and his direction for the football program. With Riley's record last year, many of the Board of Regents chose to tone down their pressure on the AD. If this season goes south, that pressure will build up once again. One Regent in particular, Hal Daub, is considered a swing vote. He is a life long politician, and he will do whatever makes him look good. His vote may be the crucial one. The board of regents also is the most influenced by boosters. If Eichorst and Riley lose the BOR, then Chancellor Green would have a very difficult decision to make. Does he back the AD he didn't hire, or cave to political pressure?
Athletic Director-
Eichorst really has two decisions to make if he wants to keep his job long term. The first, support Riley and hope for the best. If this doesn't work, he is gone by November, most likely, and the new AD will have hire a new coach. The second, begin looking for a home run replacement for Riley, get him 'inked' in principle to come to NU, and sell this approach to the BOR and Green, hoping they allow him make the hire without being fired. Eichorst had better hope his political maneuvering the last year keeps him employed if Riley doesn't succeed, because more coaches may need to be hired soon, and the BOR may not trust him to make those decisions.
Riley-
Winning solves most problems. Losing creates problems you didn't even realize existed. If Riley's season goes in the tank, all of the above entities come into play. It will be a huge power struggle to see who wins out. Riley can fire a couple more coaches, to show he's willing to make changes. But will that be enough? Does he benefit from the fact UNL does not want to be paying two fired coaches at one time? Maybe.
One thing is for sure, if this season goes poorly, there will be a lot of lines drawn in the sand, and everyone will have to show their cards. When that happens, and it will happen with a losing record, for the first time, in a long time, people will know exactly where everyone stands on Riley and Eichorst, and their future at Nebraska.
Also TLDR.....
Edit---- we know a lot now....
Chancellor Ronnie Green-
His role is to make Nebraska the best educational institution it can be. He honestly does not want to deal with the athletic department and all of its drama, but he does oversee the athletic director. His main role in terms of football is if a coaching change needs to take place, via the BOR or booster pressure, does he allow Eichorst to hire a replacement, or does he say Eichorst already failed once, and does he get another chance to 'get it right'? At most universities, the AD does not get a chance to hire two coaches when they both had to be fired.
Board of Regents-
It has been well documented that the board of regents is very much divided on Eichorst and his direction for the football program. With Riley's record last year, many of the Board of Regents chose to tone down their pressure on the AD. If this season goes south, that pressure will build up once again. One Regent in particular, Hal Daub, is considered a swing vote. He is a life long politician, and he will do whatever makes him look good. His vote may be the crucial one. The board of regents also is the most influenced by boosters. If Eichorst and Riley lose the BOR, then Chancellor Green would have a very difficult decision to make. Does he back the AD he didn't hire, or cave to political pressure?
Athletic Director-
Eichorst really has two decisions to make if he wants to keep his job long term. The first, support Riley and hope for the best. If this doesn't work, he is gone by November, most likely, and the new AD will have hire a new coach. The second, begin looking for a home run replacement for Riley, get him 'inked' in principle to come to NU, and sell this approach to the BOR and Green, hoping they allow him make the hire without being fired. Eichorst had better hope his political maneuvering the last year keeps him employed if Riley doesn't succeed, because more coaches may need to be hired soon, and the BOR may not trust him to make those decisions.
Riley-
Winning solves most problems. Losing creates problems you didn't even realize existed. If Riley's season goes in the tank, all of the above entities come into play. It will be a huge power struggle to see who wins out. Riley can fire a couple more coaches, to show he's willing to make changes. But will that be enough? Does he benefit from the fact UNL does not want to be paying two fired coaches at one time? Maybe.
One thing is for sure, if this season goes poorly, there will be a lot of lines drawn in the sand, and everyone will have to show their cards. When that happens, and it will happen with a losing record, for the first time, in a long time, people will know exactly where everyone stands on Riley and Eichorst, and their future at Nebraska.
Also TLDR.....
Edit---- we know a lot now....
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