TGHusker
Heisman Trophy Winner
Ok, we are entering those dogs days before the spring training game - not much big news happening - so I thougt it is time for some wild speculation looking back in time. Obviously, this is wild senseless brainstorming just to pass a Friday afternon in the dog days. I was thinking about the impact Devaney had on NU. Consider this:
1940 - 1961 (pre Devaney)
NU had 3 winning seasons and was bottom 10 in winning % (368)
The 5 years before Devaney NU's Record was 15-34-1 // wt 1/3 being shut outs. /// In only 4 of those games did we score more than 17 pts.
Devaney was 35-10-5 (750) at Wyoming
His first year at NU 9-2 and a win in the Gotham Bowl (NYC - that had to be fun in the winter. But being our 1st bowl in years - I'm sure it was great fun)
Bob was 101-20-2 (829) at NU
1. Should Devaney be considered one of the greatest coaches ever based on how he turned NU around and secured 2 NCs? He often gets passed up on the greatest list because he has been overshadowed by Tom. Maybe 101 wins is too few, but 829 winning % is no small accomplishment and the turnaround is as great as Kansas State under Synder. He was Bill Snyder before there was a Snyder and Bill has yet to win a NC.
ME: If we projected Devaney coaching another 5-10 years, I think he would be consider one of the top 5 all time. Assumption is he would be still mentoring Tom Osborne - who ran his offense. He probably would have won a couple more NC. Regardless, I think based on his record, % and turnaround job alone - he's easily a top 10 guy.
2. What would NU football be like without Devaney and Osborne? Would NU be a Kansas or KSU pre-Snyder or would another great coach rescue us - who and when? Did we get "lucky' wit Devaney - finding a needle in the haystack?
Me: We'd be Iowa State at the best or Kansas at the worse . I think we were 'lucky' to get Bob. Our history didn't deserve a coach wt his .750 winning % at Wy. But we were in a better conference - perhaps the reason he took the job.
3. Of today's active head coaches, not named Bo & who have not won a NC: Who would you want to be our Bob Father and who would you wish to be our Osborne (learning from the Bob and following him)?
Me: I'd take Chris Petersen (BSU - similiar Mtn West back ground and record Bob at Wy) as our Bob Devaney and Paul Johnson (GTech) as our Osborne - since he is a believer in the option. Ok age wise that doesn't match Bob and Tom but I think they mirror Bob and Tom some what.
1940 - 1961 (pre Devaney)
NU had 3 winning seasons and was bottom 10 in winning % (368)
The 5 years before Devaney NU's Record was 15-34-1 // wt 1/3 being shut outs. /// In only 4 of those games did we score more than 17 pts.
Devaney was 35-10-5 (750) at Wyoming
His first year at NU 9-2 and a win in the Gotham Bowl (NYC - that had to be fun in the winter. But being our 1st bowl in years - I'm sure it was great fun)
Bob was 101-20-2 (829) at NU
1. Should Devaney be considered one of the greatest coaches ever based on how he turned NU around and secured 2 NCs? He often gets passed up on the greatest list because he has been overshadowed by Tom. Maybe 101 wins is too few, but 829 winning % is no small accomplishment and the turnaround is as great as Kansas State under Synder. He was Bill Snyder before there was a Snyder and Bill has yet to win a NC.
ME: If we projected Devaney coaching another 5-10 years, I think he would be consider one of the top 5 all time. Assumption is he would be still mentoring Tom Osborne - who ran his offense. He probably would have won a couple more NC. Regardless, I think based on his record, % and turnaround job alone - he's easily a top 10 guy.
2. What would NU football be like without Devaney and Osborne? Would NU be a Kansas or KSU pre-Snyder or would another great coach rescue us - who and when? Did we get "lucky' wit Devaney - finding a needle in the haystack?
Me: We'd be Iowa State at the best or Kansas at the worse . I think we were 'lucky' to get Bob. Our history didn't deserve a coach wt his .750 winning % at Wy. But we were in a better conference - perhaps the reason he took the job.
3. Of today's active head coaches, not named Bo & who have not won a NC: Who would you want to be our Bob Father and who would you wish to be our Osborne (learning from the Bob and following him)?
Me: I'd take Chris Petersen (BSU - similiar Mtn West back ground and record Bob at Wy) as our Bob Devaney and Paul Johnson (GTech) as our Osborne - since he is a believer in the option. Ok age wise that doesn't match Bob and Tom but I think they mirror Bob and Tom some what.
