You’d be hardpressed not to find a Nebraska football fan that has not raved about Bo Pelini’s work as the team’s head coach.
The Huskers went 9-4 in his first year as coach but most importantly the team won six of its final seven games. His record was at the top when it comes to first year coaches around the country. He did all of that while encountering the learning curve that comes with making the transition from coordinator to head coach.
Pelini undeniably deserves high marks for bringing out that extra something in the players and developing a relationship with players that was lacking under Bill Callahan and to a lesser degree Frank Solich. The culture is definitely in place and so is the foundation. Pelini brings a contagious passion. That enthusiasm, however, can be two-fold. The plus side is that the players took on his personality in that they constantly played with maximum effort. The downside was that Pelini’s first year was also marked by sideline outbursts that he later had to make apology.
"I learned a lot in my first year," Pelini said in a press conference. "Everyone makes mistakes along the way. When you re-evaluate, you hope to make corrections and become better."
Despite the maturity, don’t expect Pelini to suddenly become a diplomat. However, he must learn to pick his battles with referees more judiciously. Pelini comes from the school of “if I feel my team is not getting a fair shake, I’m going to address it.” That’s fine but Pelini needs to learn how to do it within reason.
He seems to be aware of such issue. At least, he’s verbally addressed the matter.In all my years of being around sports as an athlete, fan or media member, I have seen many coaches, athletes or whoever seal their fate when it comes to dealing with referees.
I once had a conversation with a former high school-league commissioner in Napa, California, named Paul Hoover, who passed away in 2003. This discussion, mind you, came at another point in my career. Hoover theorized that anyone on an emotionally thinking level claims that the quality of officiating has declined in recent years, but they fail to realize one thing. Given the abuse referees take, people are not beating the door down to become one. That statement makes almost too much sense, because who in their right mind wants to deal boorish behavior?
Let's face it, for the most part, refs only hear from people when they are mad. How often do you hear someone say, "Good call, ref," and mean it genuinely as opposed to carrying a biting undertone? Very seldom.
Before I go any further, if you think the ref is "out to get your team" after most every call that goes against your team, you are out to lunch. On the other hand, if you are one of these self-righteous people who gets on your high horse and always claims that a coach or athlete is "whining" when they address a call, you are equally out to lunch. Heck, if you're a coach, athlete or fan, it's your right to disagree with a call that goes against your team because criticism is fair as long as it's valid. After all, people are human. The trick is "how" you address the situation.
There's nothing wrong with addressing a call that goes against your team as long as it's done within reason and respectfully. It's all about picking your battles carefully. Coaches or athletes who are frequently overly emotional pertaining to calls going against their team fail to realize that they are sealing their own fate by always claiming it's someone else's fault. That behavior sends the wrong message for many reasons.
For one thing, you send the message to your players is that it's OK to blame others when things go against you. I've got news for you, it's not always someone else's fault. Let's face it, we all like to believe that referees are objective, which I think most of them are. On the other hand, they have long memories. They will remember whether a coach or athlete is always overly demonstrative in addressing their call. Don’t think for one minute that college football referees are not aware of Pelini drawing a 15-yard penalty in the 2003 Alamo Bowl as interim head coach.
They are also fully aware of his 15-yard penalty in Nebraska’s 35-30 loss to Virginia Tech late in the game. The referees remember overly demonstrative coaches or athletes. At some point, that approach generates diminishing returns because those refs are less likely to give that team the benefit of the doubt on a judgment call. Just apply this idea to life, such as if you work with someone and that person always complains. You know the type - the coffee's too cold, the building is too cold, etc. Well, you get the idea. Let's be brutally honest, anyone in their right mind would tune out someone like that, even if that person's claim might be legitimate.
On the other hand, if someone rarely complains, you might take the view of, "Well, heck, it's got to be true." Anything to gain an edge.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Spring game 2009 things to look for
Spring Game No. 2 of the Bo Pelini is nearly here and if last year is any indication, you won’t be seeing any exhibition like play of the No. 1 offense going against the No. 4 defense like we did in four years of the Bill Callahan era.
Everyone has their own idea of what they would like to see. I have mine:
Barry Turner is back but how much of an impact can he make?
Turner’s return from knee surgery that cause him to miss virtually all of the 2008 season could help Nebraska become the Top 25 defense they need to be. Keep in mind, Matt Herian returned from a broken leg in 2006 but was only a shadow of his former self. Let’s hope Turner can be a difference maker.
Receivers have more speed but can they be sure-handed and block downfield?
The Husker offense could have used more speed at receiver last season. They will get that element this season with additions like Curenski Gilleylen and converted running back Marcus Mendoza. Nebraska, however, lost Nate Swift and Todd Petersen to graduation. Neither was a downfield blazer but were tough in traffic, in the clutch and as downfield blockers. Gilleylen has improved his hands; Antonio Bell could be the most complete receiver by the time he develops. Antonio Bell will be a big threat this year. Competition for the X receiver spot has been intense between Will Henry and Menelik Holt.
Who steps up on the O-Line, Ricky Henry or DJ Jones?
With projected starting tackle Javoirio Burkes out indefinitely due to an unclosed medical condition, the Huskers will need one if not both to fill the void quickly.
What will we see from Baker Steinkuhler?
When the Huskers recruited Steinkuhler, who is the son of former Husker great Dean Steinkuhler and brother of recently graduated Ty Steinkuhler, much was asked on where he fits in – as an offensive or defensive tackle? Baker Steinkuhler redshirted last season and the Huskers have him at defensive tackle. Can Baker become the stud tackle that takes over after Ndamukong Suh graduates?
Is Zac Lee ready?
The Spring Game format probably won’t tell us a whole but the biggest issue is making the right reads and handling the pressure within the pocket. Most importantly, he has to take command of the offense.
Are Castille’s fumbling problems a thing of the past?
With Roy Helu being held out for precautionary reasons, Quentin Castille will get a lot of attention along with Lester Ward, Austin Jones and Jeremy Wallace. Castille did not fumble in the Huskers 26-21 Gator Bowl win. Is that an aberration or a sign of things to come.
Who stands out in the defensive backfield?Turnovers did not come by the bushel as many anticipated last season with the return of Pelini and defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders. In fact, last season things were an adventure in the secondary at times. I’ll be interested to see if another year in the scheme will mean the DBs being in a better position to make plays.
Everyone has their own idea of what they would like to see. I have mine:
Barry Turner is back but how much of an impact can he make?
Turner’s return from knee surgery that cause him to miss virtually all of the 2008 season could help Nebraska become the Top 25 defense they need to be. Keep in mind, Matt Herian returned from a broken leg in 2006 but was only a shadow of his former self. Let’s hope Turner can be a difference maker.
Receivers have more speed but can they be sure-handed and block downfield?
The Husker offense could have used more speed at receiver last season. They will get that element this season with additions like Curenski Gilleylen and converted running back Marcus Mendoza. Nebraska, however, lost Nate Swift and Todd Petersen to graduation. Neither was a downfield blazer but were tough in traffic, in the clutch and as downfield blockers. Gilleylen has improved his hands; Antonio Bell could be the most complete receiver by the time he develops. Antonio Bell will be a big threat this year. Competition for the X receiver spot has been intense between Will Henry and Menelik Holt.
Who steps up on the O-Line, Ricky Henry or DJ Jones?
With projected starting tackle Javoirio Burkes out indefinitely due to an unclosed medical condition, the Huskers will need one if not both to fill the void quickly.
What will we see from Baker Steinkuhler?
When the Huskers recruited Steinkuhler, who is the son of former Husker great Dean Steinkuhler and brother of recently graduated Ty Steinkuhler, much was asked on where he fits in – as an offensive or defensive tackle? Baker Steinkuhler redshirted last season and the Huskers have him at defensive tackle. Can Baker become the stud tackle that takes over after Ndamukong Suh graduates?
Is Zac Lee ready?
The Spring Game format probably won’t tell us a whole but the biggest issue is making the right reads and handling the pressure within the pocket. Most importantly, he has to take command of the offense.
Are Castille’s fumbling problems a thing of the past?
With Roy Helu being held out for precautionary reasons, Quentin Castille will get a lot of attention along with Lester Ward, Austin Jones and Jeremy Wallace. Castille did not fumble in the Huskers 26-21 Gator Bowl win. Is that an aberration or a sign of things to come.
Who stands out in the defensive backfield?Turnovers did not come by the bushel as many anticipated last season with the return of Pelini and defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders. In fact, last season things were an adventure in the secondary at times. I’ll be interested to see if another year in the scheme will mean the DBs being in a better position to make plays.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Count on Pelini to make the punishment fit the crime with Paul
They are many things in life that are an inexact science.If there’s one thing I have learned about covering sports (both as a paid journalist for two weekly newspapers and as a recreational blogger) that “inexact science” applies on many fronts.
As Nebraska football fans, we can count junior wide receiver Niles Paul’s recent flap with the law among the discussion.
The Lincoln Journal Star reported that Paul has been suspended for the rest of spring practice after being pulled over early Sunday morning and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.The LJS also added that Nebraska State Patrol Lt. Mike Jahnke said Paul, 19, was also cited for driving with a suspended license and being a minor in possession of alcohol.Jahnke said Paul was pulled over at 2:08 a.m. Sunday after he was clocked going 53 miles an hour in a 45 mph zone. The traffic stop happened just south of Capitol Parkway West on U.S. 77, according to the patrol.
“I am aware of the situation involving Niles Paul, and have discussed it with him,” Husker coach Bo Pelini said in a released statement. “Niles has been suspended from the remainder of our spring practice, including Saturday’s Spring Game.”
It is possible that Paul’s suspension could go beyond the Spring Game. Paul started four games as a sophomore last season. He caught 23 passes for 214 yards and also handled kickoff return duties. His biggest moment came when he returned a kickoff 85 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown to help Nebraska break open a game against San Jose State. Paul was also on the 2008 Academic All-Big 12 second team.How Pelini deals with the ramifications of Paul’s actions remain to be seen but one feeling you get with Pelini is that he will help youngsters in any way he can but he does not have much patience for knuckleheads.
While the Huskers struggled on the field with Bill Callahan as the head coach, the players generally stayed out of trouble. Yes, there were a few issues. Who doesn’t have them? But the players generally kept their noses clean.
When Pelini’s current boss, Tom Osborne, was the head coach, his biggest strength was often his biggest weakness. Osborne took on his share of “at risk” younsters. Sometimes it worked (i.e. Kenny Walker). Other times it didn’t (i.e. Lawrence Phillips). Throughout the course of any athletic season, a coach is going to face a discipline issue with a player or players. Even though I’m 36-years old, I find it pretty laughable to refer to college student-athletes as “kids.” Give me an ever loving break! Yes they are still young and impressionable but if they are old enough to vote or go to war in Iraq, then dammitt they are old enough to be accountable for their actions. If they haven’t been taught right or have had a tough upbringing then dammitt, teach them now!
Why? Because they will at times show poor judgment. Heck, 50 year old adults show poor judgment at times, too, so why should 18-21 year old college students be any different?These behavior issues can be something like talking back to a teacher or being disruptive in class, blowing off practice for unexcused reasons or even worse, alcohol or drug-related issues.Pelini operates with the approach of student-athletes need to realize that they are representing their school, their program, their community and their family from the time they get up in the morning until the time they go to bed at night.
Some people might see that as a “holier than thou” statement, but I believe it to be true. Another term you hear a lot of when it comes to behavior issues is “zero tolerance.” Pelini held a meeting emphasizing such to the players after taking over as head coach last season. What exactly does zero tolerance mean?It means different things to different people. Some folks might interpret that term as any offense big or small, and you are kicked off the team. Period. End of sentence.
Zero tolerance is the concept of compelling persons in positions of authority, who might otherwise exercise their discretion in making subjective judgments regarding the severity of a given offense, to impose a pre-determined punishment regardless of individual culpability or “extenuating circumstances.”I see zero tolerance as implying that if you screw up, there will be ramifications. The severity of the offense then determines the discipline. I mean, seriously, should I get six months in jail if I park illegally on downtown O Street? I doubt it. In a nutshell, it’s about making the punishment fit the crime and also to a certain degree, the offender.
Paul in all likelihood was slated to be a starter at wide receiver. Therefore, he needs to be held to a higher standard. I wouldn't say it makes him a bad guy, but it was an idiotic, irresponsible decision that could have been very costly. I'd like to see a one or two game suspension, not only because of this act, but also because a message needs to be sent, to Paul, the rest of the team and the Nebraska community. For whatever reason, his license was already suspended, so he's had a run-in before. Driving with a suspended license, out at 2 AM, and while drinking alcohol (being underaged). Just idiotic, and I hope he realizes the seriousness of his actions and vows to never repeat them again.
As for making the punishment fit the crime, outcomes should go on a case-by-case basis. For example, if a youngster is caught downtown for spraying graffiti on the wall, then they should have to repaint a wall at school with graffiti — or something like that.Anything alcohol, drug or criminal-related that a youngster is guilty of must be dealt with in a severe fashion.I’m certainly all in favor of coaches, administrators and parents laying down the law, but one also has to consider the impact of those ramifications on the youngsters. It’s about considering the whole picture of the incident, not just the infraction in and of itself.
As Nebraska football fans, we can count junior wide receiver Niles Paul’s recent flap with the law among the discussion.
The Lincoln Journal Star reported that Paul has been suspended for the rest of spring practice after being pulled over early Sunday morning and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.The LJS also added that Nebraska State Patrol Lt. Mike Jahnke said Paul, 19, was also cited for driving with a suspended license and being a minor in possession of alcohol.Jahnke said Paul was pulled over at 2:08 a.m. Sunday after he was clocked going 53 miles an hour in a 45 mph zone. The traffic stop happened just south of Capitol Parkway West on U.S. 77, according to the patrol.
“I am aware of the situation involving Niles Paul, and have discussed it with him,” Husker coach Bo Pelini said in a released statement. “Niles has been suspended from the remainder of our spring practice, including Saturday’s Spring Game.”
It is possible that Paul’s suspension could go beyond the Spring Game. Paul started four games as a sophomore last season. He caught 23 passes for 214 yards and also handled kickoff return duties. His biggest moment came when he returned a kickoff 85 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown to help Nebraska break open a game against San Jose State. Paul was also on the 2008 Academic All-Big 12 second team.How Pelini deals with the ramifications of Paul’s actions remain to be seen but one feeling you get with Pelini is that he will help youngsters in any way he can but he does not have much patience for knuckleheads.
While the Huskers struggled on the field with Bill Callahan as the head coach, the players generally stayed out of trouble. Yes, there were a few issues. Who doesn’t have them? But the players generally kept their noses clean.
When Pelini’s current boss, Tom Osborne, was the head coach, his biggest strength was often his biggest weakness. Osborne took on his share of “at risk” younsters. Sometimes it worked (i.e. Kenny Walker). Other times it didn’t (i.e. Lawrence Phillips). Throughout the course of any athletic season, a coach is going to face a discipline issue with a player or players. Even though I’m 36-years old, I find it pretty laughable to refer to college student-athletes as “kids.” Give me an ever loving break! Yes they are still young and impressionable but if they are old enough to vote or go to war in Iraq, then dammitt they are old enough to be accountable for their actions. If they haven’t been taught right or have had a tough upbringing then dammitt, teach them now!
Why? Because they will at times show poor judgment. Heck, 50 year old adults show poor judgment at times, too, so why should 18-21 year old college students be any different?These behavior issues can be something like talking back to a teacher or being disruptive in class, blowing off practice for unexcused reasons or even worse, alcohol or drug-related issues.Pelini operates with the approach of student-athletes need to realize that they are representing their school, their program, their community and their family from the time they get up in the morning until the time they go to bed at night.
Some people might see that as a “holier than thou” statement, but I believe it to be true. Another term you hear a lot of when it comes to behavior issues is “zero tolerance.” Pelini held a meeting emphasizing such to the players after taking over as head coach last season. What exactly does zero tolerance mean?It means different things to different people. Some folks might interpret that term as any offense big or small, and you are kicked off the team. Period. End of sentence.
Zero tolerance is the concept of compelling persons in positions of authority, who might otherwise exercise their discretion in making subjective judgments regarding the severity of a given offense, to impose a pre-determined punishment regardless of individual culpability or “extenuating circumstances.”I see zero tolerance as implying that if you screw up, there will be ramifications. The severity of the offense then determines the discipline. I mean, seriously, should I get six months in jail if I park illegally on downtown O Street? I doubt it. In a nutshell, it’s about making the punishment fit the crime and also to a certain degree, the offender.
Paul in all likelihood was slated to be a starter at wide receiver. Therefore, he needs to be held to a higher standard. I wouldn't say it makes him a bad guy, but it was an idiotic, irresponsible decision that could have been very costly. I'd like to see a one or two game suspension, not only because of this act, but also because a message needs to be sent, to Paul, the rest of the team and the Nebraska community. For whatever reason, his license was already suspended, so he's had a run-in before. Driving with a suspended license, out at 2 AM, and while drinking alcohol (being underaged). Just idiotic, and I hope he realizes the seriousness of his actions and vows to never repeat them again.
As for making the punishment fit the crime, outcomes should go on a case-by-case basis. For example, if a youngster is caught downtown for spraying graffiti on the wall, then they should have to repaint a wall at school with graffiti — or something like that.Anything alcohol, drug or criminal-related that a youngster is guilty of must be dealt with in a severe fashion.I’m certainly all in favor of coaches, administrators and parents laying down the law, but one also has to consider the impact of those ramifications on the youngsters. It’s about considering the whole picture of the incident, not just the infraction in and of itself.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Finding Osborne's successor as AD an important matter
Much of the recent discussion of Nebraska football is centered on the present and future of the program under second-year head coach Bo Pelini. The reasons why most of us see the future as bright is because of Pelini and his staff developing the players they recruit the right way along with his relational skills with the players and the Husker fan base.
What is just as important, however, and I know this decision is off in the distance but very important nonetheless, is to find a suitable replacement for Tom Osborne – the legendary former Husker head coach and current athletic director. When Osborne replaced Steve Pederson in October 2007, he was labeled as the “interim athletic director.”
Osborne later had the interim tag lifted and signed his contract until July 2010. Osborne also once indicated that he would hold the position until he felt the program was on solid footing. The Huskers appear headed in that direction but in order to maintain that direction, it vitally important to make sure Osborne’s successor is the right guy so as to avoid a repeat of the Pederson fiasco. That means don’t just blindly give it to someone just because there are Nebraskans.
The names that have come up in the recent past are former Husker players Ed Stewart and Dave Rimington. Stewart, who starred as a linebacker in the early-to-mid 1990s, works for the Big 12 Conference as Assistant Commissioner for Football and Student Services. Rimington, who is widely considered the best center in college football history, is President of the Boomer Esiason Foundation, a non-profit foundation that focuses on research to cure cystic fibrosis so he is definitely experienced in fund raising.
There’s no doubt that either one would make a good choice on the surface but the question is would they be interested?Remember when Pederson was hired, he was viewed as the anti-Bill Byrne. Pederson was a native Nebraskan. He was going to make football priority No. 1 whereas Byrne tried to appeal to all sports. Which is fine to a point but football is the bell cow of every athletic program followed closely by men’s basketball.
Heck, I bought into Pederson being the right guy but when he fostered a culture of disconnect Husker Nation might as well have been Husker “alien-Nation.” I had the chance to meet Bryne several times when I was in college working as a reporter for the Daily Nebraskan and production assistant for KLIN (1400 AM) in Lincoln. I didn’t always agree with his decisions as AD but in talking to him I at least felt like he was a good person.
Again, I can’t think of any negatives to bringing in Stewart or Rimington as Osborne’s successor. Maybe even Turner Gill. The crux of the matter that is whoever Osborne’s successor is in the future, the decision needs to be the right one. Whoever that person is does not necessarily need to be from Nebraska but there are a few common denominators that person must have that are lockstep with Osborne. For one, that person has to be a unifier and someone people can trust.
With Pederson, you could not trust him further than you could throw him. Pederson will go down as the man who gutted Husker football of all the things that made the program unique.Pederson cut all links to the Bob Devaney-Tom Osborne era when he fired Frank Solich, who had played for Devaney and was Osborne's hand-picked successor in 1997. Perhaps, you could argue that Solich was not the ultimate answer to get the Huskers to the promised land but the program did not need the reconstructive surgery attempt the Bill Callahan era brought.
The Callahan era not only brought a level of mediocrity of a 27-22 record but two seasons without making it to a bowl game. We don’t need to go into how Pederson alienated the fan base and those who work for him because it has been discussed ad nausea. Pederson was notorious for just glossing over the problems of the program. Nebraskans are real people who want straight answers.
Again, I know that finding a successor to Osborne is off in the distance but whoever that person is needs to be the right one so the program can maintain the traction it has regained.
What is just as important, however, and I know this decision is off in the distance but very important nonetheless, is to find a suitable replacement for Tom Osborne – the legendary former Husker head coach and current athletic director. When Osborne replaced Steve Pederson in October 2007, he was labeled as the “interim athletic director.”
Osborne later had the interim tag lifted and signed his contract until July 2010. Osborne also once indicated that he would hold the position until he felt the program was on solid footing. The Huskers appear headed in that direction but in order to maintain that direction, it vitally important to make sure Osborne’s successor is the right guy so as to avoid a repeat of the Pederson fiasco. That means don’t just blindly give it to someone just because there are Nebraskans.
The names that have come up in the recent past are former Husker players Ed Stewart and Dave Rimington. Stewart, who starred as a linebacker in the early-to-mid 1990s, works for the Big 12 Conference as Assistant Commissioner for Football and Student Services. Rimington, who is widely considered the best center in college football history, is President of the Boomer Esiason Foundation, a non-profit foundation that focuses on research to cure cystic fibrosis so he is definitely experienced in fund raising.
There’s no doubt that either one would make a good choice on the surface but the question is would they be interested?Remember when Pederson was hired, he was viewed as the anti-Bill Byrne. Pederson was a native Nebraskan. He was going to make football priority No. 1 whereas Byrne tried to appeal to all sports. Which is fine to a point but football is the bell cow of every athletic program followed closely by men’s basketball.
Heck, I bought into Pederson being the right guy but when he fostered a culture of disconnect Husker Nation might as well have been Husker “alien-Nation.” I had the chance to meet Bryne several times when I was in college working as a reporter for the Daily Nebraskan and production assistant for KLIN (1400 AM) in Lincoln. I didn’t always agree with his decisions as AD but in talking to him I at least felt like he was a good person.
Again, I can’t think of any negatives to bringing in Stewart or Rimington as Osborne’s successor. Maybe even Turner Gill. The crux of the matter that is whoever Osborne’s successor is in the future, the decision needs to be the right one. Whoever that person is does not necessarily need to be from Nebraska but there are a few common denominators that person must have that are lockstep with Osborne. For one, that person has to be a unifier and someone people can trust.
With Pederson, you could not trust him further than you could throw him. Pederson will go down as the man who gutted Husker football of all the things that made the program unique.Pederson cut all links to the Bob Devaney-Tom Osborne era when he fired Frank Solich, who had played for Devaney and was Osborne's hand-picked successor in 1997. Perhaps, you could argue that Solich was not the ultimate answer to get the Huskers to the promised land but the program did not need the reconstructive surgery attempt the Bill Callahan era brought.
The Callahan era not only brought a level of mediocrity of a 27-22 record but two seasons without making it to a bowl game. We don’t need to go into how Pederson alienated the fan base and those who work for him because it has been discussed ad nausea. Pederson was notorious for just glossing over the problems of the program. Nebraskans are real people who want straight answers.
Again, I know that finding a successor to Osborne is off in the distance but whoever that person is needs to be the right one so the program can maintain the traction it has regained.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
How much will Husker football improvement show in the win column
I was listening to various podcasts of “Unsportsman Like Conduct,” which is a sports talk program on Omaha radio state 1620 AM KOZN (The Zone). Kevin Kugler and Mike’L Severe host the program.
The impression I get from Kugler is that Nebraska could be a better team than last season’s 9-4 team in head coach Bo Pelini’s first season. Severe, meanwhile, theorized that if you have a worse record, fans are not going to believe the team is better. Severe also added that because Pelini’s staff is much better at developing talent and motivating than Bill Callahan’s staff that the team will not only improve but it will show in the win-loss column.
I see every reason why the team will improve fundamentally and developmentally, my question is how much will it show in the win column? Assuming the team stays reasonably healthy, the Huskers should at least match their 2008 record and with a break or two, hopefully surpass it. The biggest sticking point why a segment of Nebraska fans might be tempering their expectations is because of inexperience at quarterback after the loss of Joe Ganz to graduation.
At the present time, junior Zac Lee is the projected starter but mostly by default. Lee got a few snaps in mopup duty last year but most of his experience is at the junior college level (Specifically San Francisco City College). Kody Spano is a redshirt freshman, junior LaTravis Washington just recently converted from linebacker while recruits Cody Green and Taylor Martinez are going to be true freshmen. The concern is legitimate because while that group might have more raw talent than Ganz, players like Ganz are not easily replaced when their leadership garners the respect of the team.
Wide receiver is another concern because while returners such as Menelik Holt, Niles Paul, and Curenski Gillelyn are faster than Nate Swift and Todd Peterson, Swift and Peterson will be missed for their ability to catch the ball in traffic and their downfield blocking.
Offensive line should be an upgrade because there are a good group of returners but the loss of projected starting tackle Javorio Burkes could hurt. At tight end, the Huskers have the vital cogs back as Mike McNeill should have a breakout season. At running back, all the Huskers lost was Marlon Lucky, who was a nonentity by season’s end.
Defensively, the Huskers should be as good as or better than last season across the board. On the defensive line, you can defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh for deciding to stay in school as a senior rather than enter the NFL draft. The Huskers might be a dominant line but you get the feeling that the coaches will maximize whatever they have.
At linebacker, the Huskers were gouged by injuries but that also allowed many youngsters to get playing time. In the secondary, all the Huskers lost was cornerback Armando Murrillo.
On special teams, I feel pretty confident about the return game being more dangerous but the coverage units must improve and it should with an increase in better athletes getting on the field.
These first two years of Pelini should play out. September of Year Three is when the critical evaluation comes. At that point, we should be in the BCS picture.
The question for 2008 is can Nebraska break through with wins over Oklahoma, Virginia Tech or Kansas? The Huskers beat the Jayhawks last season but fell short to Virginia Tech and were dominated by Oklahoma.
The big test to see how far the program has come will be the trip to Virginia Tech. Win that, and all of a sudden a 9-3 season (minimum) is pretty much a slamdunk, not to mention puts the Huskers in the conversation for a BCS bowl game. Nebraska gets Texas Tech and Oklahoma at home. Cynics would argue that Nebraska gets Baylor and miss South teams like Oklahoma State and Texas. However, I do not see Okie State putting together seasons like last year’s 9-4 campaign on a consistent basis. The Huskers might get Texas in the Big 12 game anyhow if both teams get they get there so missing Texas could be moot.
My early projection, and I could change my mind, is for a 9-3 season with 10-2 being a possibility.
The impression I get from Kugler is that Nebraska could be a better team than last season’s 9-4 team in head coach Bo Pelini’s first season. Severe, meanwhile, theorized that if you have a worse record, fans are not going to believe the team is better. Severe also added that because Pelini’s staff is much better at developing talent and motivating than Bill Callahan’s staff that the team will not only improve but it will show in the win-loss column.
I see every reason why the team will improve fundamentally and developmentally, my question is how much will it show in the win column? Assuming the team stays reasonably healthy, the Huskers should at least match their 2008 record and with a break or two, hopefully surpass it. The biggest sticking point why a segment of Nebraska fans might be tempering their expectations is because of inexperience at quarterback after the loss of Joe Ganz to graduation.
At the present time, junior Zac Lee is the projected starter but mostly by default. Lee got a few snaps in mopup duty last year but most of his experience is at the junior college level (Specifically San Francisco City College). Kody Spano is a redshirt freshman, junior LaTravis Washington just recently converted from linebacker while recruits Cody Green and Taylor Martinez are going to be true freshmen. The concern is legitimate because while that group might have more raw talent than Ganz, players like Ganz are not easily replaced when their leadership garners the respect of the team.
Wide receiver is another concern because while returners such as Menelik Holt, Niles Paul, and Curenski Gillelyn are faster than Nate Swift and Todd Peterson, Swift and Peterson will be missed for their ability to catch the ball in traffic and their downfield blocking.
Offensive line should be an upgrade because there are a good group of returners but the loss of projected starting tackle Javorio Burkes could hurt. At tight end, the Huskers have the vital cogs back as Mike McNeill should have a breakout season. At running back, all the Huskers lost was Marlon Lucky, who was a nonentity by season’s end.
Defensively, the Huskers should be as good as or better than last season across the board. On the defensive line, you can defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh for deciding to stay in school as a senior rather than enter the NFL draft. The Huskers might be a dominant line but you get the feeling that the coaches will maximize whatever they have.
At linebacker, the Huskers were gouged by injuries but that also allowed many youngsters to get playing time. In the secondary, all the Huskers lost was cornerback Armando Murrillo.
On special teams, I feel pretty confident about the return game being more dangerous but the coverage units must improve and it should with an increase in better athletes getting on the field.
These first two years of Pelini should play out. September of Year Three is when the critical evaluation comes. At that point, we should be in the BCS picture.
The question for 2008 is can Nebraska break through with wins over Oklahoma, Virginia Tech or Kansas? The Huskers beat the Jayhawks last season but fell short to Virginia Tech and were dominated by Oklahoma.
The big test to see how far the program has come will be the trip to Virginia Tech. Win that, and all of a sudden a 9-3 season (minimum) is pretty much a slamdunk, not to mention puts the Huskers in the conversation for a BCS bowl game. Nebraska gets Texas Tech and Oklahoma at home. Cynics would argue that Nebraska gets Baylor and miss South teams like Oklahoma State and Texas. However, I do not see Okie State putting together seasons like last year’s 9-4 campaign on a consistent basis. The Huskers might get Texas in the Big 12 game anyhow if both teams get they get there so missing Texas could be moot.
My early projection, and I could change my mind, is for a 9-3 season with 10-2 being a possibility.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Reaching the Big 12 title game will be easier than winning it
“Expectations,” “progress,” and “process” are three terms that Nebraska football fans have heard ad nausea the past few years.
The context of those words have centered around how expectations were lowered in the Bill Callahan years and how winning the Big 12 North title in 2006 (its first since 1999) was considered progress. With Bo Pelini as the head coach, he has constantly talked about “the process.”
I remember in the moments after Nebraska’s 37-14 win over Colorado, players paraded around the field with the Big 12 North title trophy. You would have thought the Huskers won a BCS bowl game. I was happy as a fan because it was the first step necessary for the program getting back where it needed to be.
The Huskers then lost the Big 12 title game 21-7 to Oklahoma and then 17-14 to Auburn in the Cotton Bowl. The team plummeted to a 5-7 season in 2007, which would be Callahan’s last, and then rebounded with a 9-4 season a year ago in Pelini’s first season.
I remember conversing with many fellow Husker fans last year at this time saying that going from 5-7 to 9-4 is the easy the part. Going from 9-4 to 11-2 will be the hard part. There are two ways to look at that statement. Nebraska lost two games by less than seven points (35-30 to Virginia Tech and 37-31 in overtime to Texas Tech). So with a couple of breaks, Nebraska could have been 11-2. That said, the higher a team strives to climb the ladder, the smaller the margin for error becomes.
As for winning the Big 12 championship, “getting to” the title game should be the easy part but “winning it” will be the hard part.
With the Huskers developing their program the right way under Pelini, the team should win the Big 12 North division seven or eight years out of every ten. I say that because I do not see a program in the North that is going to go on a consistent run of success.
Iowa State will never be a long term threat and it certainly won’t be in 2009 since it is breaking in a new head coach. Yes, Iowa State upset the No. 12 ranked Huskers 19-10 in 1992 and bested Nebraska in 2002 and 2004 but let’s face it, aside from 1992; the Cyclones only beat Nebraska when it was down. The Huskers went 7-7 in 2002 and 5-7 in 2004.
Iowa State’s best chances to win the Big 12 North came in 2004 and 2005, it not only failed to win it but fell short when the division winner (Colorado) went 4-4 and then 5-3. Best case scenario, the Cyclones might have a few years where they go 7-5 or even 8-4 but they are not going to be churning out 9-3 or better on a regular basis because the Cyclones will get a lot of recruits that Nebraska or Iowa didn’t want.
Bill Snyder returns as head coach to Kansas State for a second stint. The Wildcats defense was rated a Kevin Cosgrove-esque 117th in total defense and had its starting quarterback (Josh Freeman) leave for the NFL. Best case scenario, K-State goes 6-6 in 2009.
Snyder deserves enormous credit for turning around a once moribund program that went 299-510 before 1989. Snyder posted a record of 136-68-1 at K-State but it should also be pointed out that the Wildcats went 9-13 his final two years. Plus, how many of these “coming home” stories really work? Not many.
I have to think that Colorado is not going to be bitten by the injury bug like last year during a 5-7 season. Yes, the Buffs have 15 starters returning but they still have the look of an 8-4 team at best – and that’s being charitable. Colorado won the Division four times from 2001-2005 but in two of those years they had conference records of 4-4 (2004) and 5-3 (2005). That’s not exactly taking control of the division.
I also do not think Dan Hawkins is the right guy. Hawkins went 53-11 at Boise State but is overmatched at the Big 12 level, going 13-24. Plus, CU football is not woven into the culture. When people think of football in Colorado, they think of the Denver Broncos.
We’ll find out how good of a coach Missouri’s Gary Pinkel really is because the Tigers lose seven players on defense, and its offense will be gutted with the graduation of Chase Daniel and Chase Coffman and Jeremy Maclin’s departure to the NFL.
Because Columbia, Mo., is between Kansas City and St. Louis (two fairly fertile grounds for talent), the Tigers will always have some talent but they just don’t strike you as a program that will put together runs like the last two seasons (22-6). While I wouldn’t consider the 2008 season a failure as the Tigers went 10-4, it was a disappointment given the preseason hype they had.
Kansas is perhaps the Huskers biggest threat for the 2009 season. For starters, the Jayhawks get Nebraska at home and have a returning starter in Todd Reesing at quarterback while the Huskers will have a first-year starter.
Kansas will be a “tough out” because Mark Mangino (45-41) knows how to maximize the talent he has. The Jayhawks football program, however, despite its success under Mangino is always going to fight the perception of being a “basketball school,” which means Nebraska will generally have a talent advantage.
As for the hard part of “winning the Big 12 title.” In the South division, Baylor won’t be a factor any time soon. Texas A&M will probably bounce back to some degree. Oklahoma State and Texas Tech have done a nice job under head coaches Mike Gundy and Mike Leach respectively. However, those two programs might have reached their ceiling because both programs will get their share of players that Oklahoma and Texas did not want.
As for OU and Texas? Both schools enjoy a recruiting advantage over Nebraska because of their success this decade and being in fertile recruiting areas. Texas has enjoyed a 115-26 record under head coach Mack Brown with a National title in 2005. Oklahoma has gone 109-24 under Bob Stoops with a National title in 2000.
What gives the Huskers hope is that both coaches have lost as many big games as they’ve won. And both teams should enter the 2009 season in the conversation of National title contenders.
Oklahoma is like the Atlanta Braves of college football. Yes, they have one title but they have been there three other times and had their doors blown off in the other one (55-19 loss to USC in 2004). Again, for as great as Oklahoma has been this decade, you can’t help but feel to some degree that it has underachieved.
As for Texas, which is 4-6 against OU this decade, you also get the feeling that with all of the talent, it acquires, it should have more than one title.
The context of those words have centered around how expectations were lowered in the Bill Callahan years and how winning the Big 12 North title in 2006 (its first since 1999) was considered progress. With Bo Pelini as the head coach, he has constantly talked about “the process.”
I remember in the moments after Nebraska’s 37-14 win over Colorado, players paraded around the field with the Big 12 North title trophy. You would have thought the Huskers won a BCS bowl game. I was happy as a fan because it was the first step necessary for the program getting back where it needed to be.
The Huskers then lost the Big 12 title game 21-7 to Oklahoma and then 17-14 to Auburn in the Cotton Bowl. The team plummeted to a 5-7 season in 2007, which would be Callahan’s last, and then rebounded with a 9-4 season a year ago in Pelini’s first season.
I remember conversing with many fellow Husker fans last year at this time saying that going from 5-7 to 9-4 is the easy the part. Going from 9-4 to 11-2 will be the hard part. There are two ways to look at that statement. Nebraska lost two games by less than seven points (35-30 to Virginia Tech and 37-31 in overtime to Texas Tech). So with a couple of breaks, Nebraska could have been 11-2. That said, the higher a team strives to climb the ladder, the smaller the margin for error becomes.
As for winning the Big 12 championship, “getting to” the title game should be the easy part but “winning it” will be the hard part.
With the Huskers developing their program the right way under Pelini, the team should win the Big 12 North division seven or eight years out of every ten. I say that because I do not see a program in the North that is going to go on a consistent run of success.
Iowa State will never be a long term threat and it certainly won’t be in 2009 since it is breaking in a new head coach. Yes, Iowa State upset the No. 12 ranked Huskers 19-10 in 1992 and bested Nebraska in 2002 and 2004 but let’s face it, aside from 1992; the Cyclones only beat Nebraska when it was down. The Huskers went 7-7 in 2002 and 5-7 in 2004.
Iowa State’s best chances to win the Big 12 North came in 2004 and 2005, it not only failed to win it but fell short when the division winner (Colorado) went 4-4 and then 5-3. Best case scenario, the Cyclones might have a few years where they go 7-5 or even 8-4 but they are not going to be churning out 9-3 or better on a regular basis because the Cyclones will get a lot of recruits that Nebraska or Iowa didn’t want.
Bill Snyder returns as head coach to Kansas State for a second stint. The Wildcats defense was rated a Kevin Cosgrove-esque 117th in total defense and had its starting quarterback (Josh Freeman) leave for the NFL. Best case scenario, K-State goes 6-6 in 2009.
Snyder deserves enormous credit for turning around a once moribund program that went 299-510 before 1989. Snyder posted a record of 136-68-1 at K-State but it should also be pointed out that the Wildcats went 9-13 his final two years. Plus, how many of these “coming home” stories really work? Not many.
I have to think that Colorado is not going to be bitten by the injury bug like last year during a 5-7 season. Yes, the Buffs have 15 starters returning but they still have the look of an 8-4 team at best – and that’s being charitable. Colorado won the Division four times from 2001-2005 but in two of those years they had conference records of 4-4 (2004) and 5-3 (2005). That’s not exactly taking control of the division.
I also do not think Dan Hawkins is the right guy. Hawkins went 53-11 at Boise State but is overmatched at the Big 12 level, going 13-24. Plus, CU football is not woven into the culture. When people think of football in Colorado, they think of the Denver Broncos.
We’ll find out how good of a coach Missouri’s Gary Pinkel really is because the Tigers lose seven players on defense, and its offense will be gutted with the graduation of Chase Daniel and Chase Coffman and Jeremy Maclin’s departure to the NFL.
Because Columbia, Mo., is between Kansas City and St. Louis (two fairly fertile grounds for talent), the Tigers will always have some talent but they just don’t strike you as a program that will put together runs like the last two seasons (22-6). While I wouldn’t consider the 2008 season a failure as the Tigers went 10-4, it was a disappointment given the preseason hype they had.
Kansas is perhaps the Huskers biggest threat for the 2009 season. For starters, the Jayhawks get Nebraska at home and have a returning starter in Todd Reesing at quarterback while the Huskers will have a first-year starter.
Kansas will be a “tough out” because Mark Mangino (45-41) knows how to maximize the talent he has. The Jayhawks football program, however, despite its success under Mangino is always going to fight the perception of being a “basketball school,” which means Nebraska will generally have a talent advantage.
As for the hard part of “winning the Big 12 title.” In the South division, Baylor won’t be a factor any time soon. Texas A&M will probably bounce back to some degree. Oklahoma State and Texas Tech have done a nice job under head coaches Mike Gundy and Mike Leach respectively. However, those two programs might have reached their ceiling because both programs will get their share of players that Oklahoma and Texas did not want.
As for OU and Texas? Both schools enjoy a recruiting advantage over Nebraska because of their success this decade and being in fertile recruiting areas. Texas has enjoyed a 115-26 record under head coach Mack Brown with a National title in 2005. Oklahoma has gone 109-24 under Bob Stoops with a National title in 2000.
What gives the Huskers hope is that both coaches have lost as many big games as they’ve won. And both teams should enter the 2009 season in the conversation of National title contenders.
Oklahoma is like the Atlanta Braves of college football. Yes, they have one title but they have been there three other times and had their doors blown off in the other one (55-19 loss to USC in 2004). Again, for as great as Oklahoma has been this decade, you can’t help but feel to some degree that it has underachieved.
As for Texas, which is 4-6 against OU this decade, you also get the feeling that with all of the talent, it acquires, it should have more than one title.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
How much is too much to reward a coach?
Within a matter of two days, Nebraska football head coach Bo Pelini gets a $700,000 raise that puts him in the middle of the pack among Big 12 head coaches. One day later, Kentucky basketball inks John Calipari to an eight-year, $31.5-million dollar contract.There is one common denominator within these two jobs. Football at Nebraska is king. Basketball at Kentucky is king. The pressure that comes with both jobs can be enormous. You can say it’s blown out of proportion but the Nebraska football job was the wrong fit for Bill Callahan for a reason. The Kentucky basketball job was not a good fit for Billy Gillispie for a reason. Callahan led Nebraska to two bowl-less seasons in four years while Gillispie lasted just two years at Kentucky. In 2008-2009, the Wildcats missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1991. Nebraska not in a bowl game. Kentucky not in the NCAA tournament. That’s like Tiger Woods not making the cut.Coaches salaries at virtually every level of every major sport has increased drastically over the years but how much is too much?To the coach making the money, no amount is too much. It’s called capitalism. I don’t want hear any whining from you socialist liberals because I doubt you would be turning that money down.
However, I also think these schools shelling out oodles of coin set themselves up for a bad situation, such as buyouts. Let’s say the university dismisses a coach that it hired or if that coach decides to go elsewhere. The University then has to “but out” the remaining years on his contract. Look at Rich Rodriguez, who left West Virginia for Michigan with a $4 million dollar buyout for the remaining years on his contract. Rodriguez left West Virginia for what he thought were greener pastures at Michigan. As a result, West Virginia wanted $4 million dollars as compensation. Michigan wound up relinquishing $2.5 million with the rest to be provided by Rodriguez.
The truth of the matter is that not every job is created equal. It depends on the university and the perceived "tradition" that that school has in a given sport. Some schools are considered "basketball schools," while others are "football schools." It isn't often that a school excels in both sports.
In college football, the pressure of coaching at Nebraska is far different than say Iowa State. In college basketball, the pressure of coaching at say North Carolina is far different than coaching at say Washington. In Major League Baseball, the pressure of managing say the New York Yankees is far different than managing say the Houston Astros.
So, the higher the pressure the job comes with, the University needs to make it at least equitable for the coach. Equitable, however, should not mean over the top. Granted, Calipari is a proven winner but is he worth $4 million a year regardless of the market? Just a few days ago, I blogged in this very same place that the Huskers rewarded Pelini to the right extent. He turned around what was a rudderless ship of a program that finished 5-7 in 2007, losing six of their last seven games to a 9-4 campaign in 2008, winning six of their final seven. Pelini’s original contract called for him to earn $1.1 million dollars, which was No. 11 among Big 12 coaches. In a nutshell, Nebraska rewarded him but did not go over the top like Oklahoma State did with Mike Gundy, who is set to earn $2.2 million in 2009. Texas Tech’s Mike Leach is slated to earn $2.54 million in 2009.
Both coaches have done a fine job at their respective programs, making them relevant after being irrelevant for years. However, you get the feeling that OSU (9-4 in 2008) and Texas Tech (11-2 in 2008) will max out. Let’s face it; Okie State and Texas Tech get their share of kids that Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M did not want.
The one question these Universities need to ask themselves before opening their vaults to head coaches is, does the head coach’s salary prevent us from rewarding assistant coaches?
Fortunately for Husker fans, Pelini understands the value of taking care of his assistant coaches just like Osborne did. Granted, the Huskers might lose offensive coordinator Shawn Watson some day to become a head coach but if you reward your assistants well enough, more often than not, they might stick around longer.
And if a team wants to become a program, maintaining continuity is vitally important.
However, I also think these schools shelling out oodles of coin set themselves up for a bad situation, such as buyouts. Let’s say the university dismisses a coach that it hired or if that coach decides to go elsewhere. The University then has to “but out” the remaining years on his contract. Look at Rich Rodriguez, who left West Virginia for Michigan with a $4 million dollar buyout for the remaining years on his contract. Rodriguez left West Virginia for what he thought were greener pastures at Michigan. As a result, West Virginia wanted $4 million dollars as compensation. Michigan wound up relinquishing $2.5 million with the rest to be provided by Rodriguez.
The truth of the matter is that not every job is created equal. It depends on the university and the perceived "tradition" that that school has in a given sport. Some schools are considered "basketball schools," while others are "football schools." It isn't often that a school excels in both sports.
In college football, the pressure of coaching at Nebraska is far different than say Iowa State. In college basketball, the pressure of coaching at say North Carolina is far different than coaching at say Washington. In Major League Baseball, the pressure of managing say the New York Yankees is far different than managing say the Houston Astros.
So, the higher the pressure the job comes with, the University needs to make it at least equitable for the coach. Equitable, however, should not mean over the top. Granted, Calipari is a proven winner but is he worth $4 million a year regardless of the market? Just a few days ago, I blogged in this very same place that the Huskers rewarded Pelini to the right extent. He turned around what was a rudderless ship of a program that finished 5-7 in 2007, losing six of their last seven games to a 9-4 campaign in 2008, winning six of their final seven. Pelini’s original contract called for him to earn $1.1 million dollars, which was No. 11 among Big 12 coaches. In a nutshell, Nebraska rewarded him but did not go over the top like Oklahoma State did with Mike Gundy, who is set to earn $2.2 million in 2009. Texas Tech’s Mike Leach is slated to earn $2.54 million in 2009.
Both coaches have done a fine job at their respective programs, making them relevant after being irrelevant for years. However, you get the feeling that OSU (9-4 in 2008) and Texas Tech (11-2 in 2008) will max out. Let’s face it; Okie State and Texas Tech get their share of kids that Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M did not want.
The one question these Universities need to ask themselves before opening their vaults to head coaches is, does the head coach’s salary prevent us from rewarding assistant coaches?
Fortunately for Husker fans, Pelini understands the value of taking care of his assistant coaches just like Osborne did. Granted, the Huskers might lose offensive coordinator Shawn Watson some day to become a head coach but if you reward your assistants well enough, more often than not, they might stick around longer.
And if a team wants to become a program, maintaining continuity is vitally important.
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