Chatelain's column - 2003 all over again

[HANC]

Ok, I don't "disagree" with the column, but look at the landscape of colleg football. There is so much more parity today than when TO coached. During the 70-80-90's, there truly where only about 10 really good programs in the entire country, and only 2 good programs in our conference.

Based on what d!(k, ( oops ), I mean Dirk, wrote, I am sure glad he wasn't making decisions during the 70-80's and early 90's or Tom, nor we as fans, would have ever had the opportunity to celebrate like we did...

Lets' see.... Winning 9 games a year, filling stadiums, having guys play hard and never quit, and LOSING most of the big games that your team plays.......are we talking about Tom or Bo.... because that is exactly what Tom did for the longest time. If Nebraska was able to beat OU, then you could almost automatically assume that we would lose in the bowl game or NC game... and yes, Tom's teams did get upset more than once.....Missouri, Iowa State, Florida State, Syracuse, on and on....

Now, I am not bashing TO, because he is my role model, (named my son after him), my wife has extremely close (daily) ties to TO and you will not find a bigger TO fan in the world than me.......but just trying to point out that TO and Bo are taking the same path... and TO only had to win 1 big game a year....not UCLA, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Michigan State (last year's schedule)..... and with only probably 10 great programs in the 70-80's, it was pretty stinkin easy to stay in the top 25.

This defense is very young and in given time, they will be outstanding. I predict that even as soon as next year, this team will have a top 10 defense, and if not, it will be in 2 years. The offense was destroyed by injury... You lose an All-American lineman, 1st team All-Big 10 qb, and injuries to basically the rest of the O-line and 2 of your top 3 WR.......WOW.... and you still find a way to beat Michigan at Ann Arbor and you somehow are even "in" a game after turning it over 5 times.....

This team has heart and passion, along with RAW talent.... the heart and passion start at the top....Bo....

If you want to set the program back another 5-8 years, listen to d!(k (oops, did it again), I mean Dirk....if not.... pray that Shawn makes the right choice. I can 100 %, without doubt, say that TO is hoping that Bo sticks around....and no, I will not a source on the last comment...

Yeah it would really be a scary thing if Bo Pelini got fired and Nebraska stopped being ranked, lost twice a year at home, usually in embarrassing fashion, constantly shot its foot off in big games, and didn't win a conference title for a decade and a half.

Guess I was unaware that Bo was responsible for the last decade and a half.... that is what happens when you start firing coaches after 9 win seasons...... you just made my point. Thanks.

Bo has had NU in title games in new conferences and old..... just haven't won.... and without the fluke Texas thing, he would have one on his resume...

Not saying that I am happy with this losing crap, but the revolving door of firing 9 win coaches and showing no patience is exactly what up and coming HC or established great ones are looking for.... a very attractive job, huh? Good luck with that. History shows that changing coaches works well around here. Let's run right out and do it again !

Job description: If you are only going to play in conference championships more than not, win a minumum of 9 games a year, icrease graduadtion rates, protect your players, cut-back on off field incidents, show passion for game, only get 3 years with your "own" recruits, switch conferences into the un-familar territory and still win......... then no need to apply.... you are under-qualified.

You must recruit to the middle of nowhere, win a championship (not just a conference, because that shine will wear off within 2 years without a NC) and you must get this done within 5 years, and make sure you win double digit games EVERY year.... screw parity...this is Nebraska...(should sell itself to a bunch of HS kids who don't even remember who TO is). .......... Man, wear do I sign up ?

Well if you substitute 2013 with 2006, Lincoln NE with the garden spot of Tuscaloosa Alabama, and the mythical head coach of Bear Bryant instead of TO.......you kinda hit the nail on the head with the current #1 team.

Fair enough....I can't argue with that, other than by 2006, the SEC was already being considered the 'premier' conference in the nation, and right now the Big 10 is almost a laughing stalk... The Big 10 could be a punch line for many jokes, according the the national media. It is hard enough to recruit kids to the North, without NOW, fighting the "laughable" conference stigma.... hell, what will your recruiting pitch be...come to a place where your team can go undefeated, and not play for a NC (ala...Ohio State)..

Right now, the Big 10 is in trouble and recruiting to these schools will be tough, without firing coaches with 9 wins, cleaning house...including players that fit systems in place and starting over... Just ask Michigan about their Rich Rod experiment...they are still recovering....and not well.

** If Nebraska doesn't win a title within the next 2 years, especially under the new alignment and with all of the talented YOUTH on this team, the I will be the first in the "let's change coaches" line, but not yet.

 

[True2tRA]

I was struck by Bell's comments, "You've got to stay mentally tough." He said this in response to moving on after a tough loss like to MSU.
My question ... where is the "mental toughness" in the midst of the game to play smart, hold onto the ball (like with 50 seconds left in a half), keep your eye on the ball all the way to a catch, the alertness to throw a ball away, the smarts play fundamentally verses penalties.

Next, was the same phrase I've heard from Bo nearly every game, "I'm proud of the way they fought,” Bo Pelini said. “We didn't lose that football game because of a lack of effort or a lack of want-to. We just made too many mistakes to overcome."

I just have no compassion for these kinds of statements anymore. It is very familiar to an addict that says he will change ... all the while he knows what his next choice will be.

I think these guys just say it to say it anymore.

 

[In the Deed the Glory]

I was struck by Bell's comments, "You've got to stay mentally tough." He said this in response to moving on after a tough loss like to MSU.
My question ... where is the "mental toughness" in the midst of the game to play smart, hold onto the ball (like with 50 seconds left in a half), keep your eye on the ball all the way to a catch, the alertness to throw a ball away, the smarts play fundamentally verses penalties.

Next, was the same phrase I've heard from Bo nearly every game, "I'm proud of the way they fought,” Bo Pelini said. “We didn't lose that football game because of a lack of effort or a lack of want-to. We just made too many mistakes to overcome."

I just have no compassion for these kinds of statements anymore. It is very familiar to an addict that says he will change ... all the while he knows what his next choice will be.

I think these guys just say it to say it anymore.

I think you may be onto something there. The players don't know what to say.

 

[Branno]

Personally, I thought a football coaches job at this level was to compete for championships, but Bo listed his priorities when he was hired here. I don't know if many of you remember that press conference, but he listed quite a few other things above winning games. We shouldn't be surprised. He is taking care of these kids, academics are up, he's teaching them to succeed in life after football and apparently winning games is on the back burner to those things. Okay I guess? I wish we could have both, but maybe both are not possible. What is possible? Are we doing our best? Or does this off the field stuff matter to people as much as the on field performance?

He also has about a dozen quotes of him saying the exact words, "We are here to win championships. Not division championships, either. Conference and national championships and I haven't met my own expectations in that regard."

Bo has a lot of quotes where he's said something and meant something completely different or was being a flat out liar, so let's not even get into Bo's quotes.

I'm aware of him saying those things you mentioned. My point was more towards, is it his priority? Is it even his top three priority? I bet not. I bet he puts raising these kids, academics, and success in life after football above winning games. And maybe he should?

Considering his title is Head Football Coach, its probably pretty important to play winning football.

I truly don't think he views himself as simply a Head Coach. He references his responsibility to these kids and their parents constantly. You're right, he should be winning games, but based off the comments from the locker room in this article, it doesn't give me the impression that losing stings all that much.

Cause if there is something that's obvious about Bo is his lack of passion and desire to win.

 

[suh_fan93]

Cause if there is something that's obvious about Bo is his lack of passion and desire to win.

You realize it takes more than just this right?!!!

 

[True2tRA]

Again, your comprehension level is proving to be MINIMAL. Nobody said Bo doesn't have a passion or desire for winning. The comment was that he may be more passionate about his devotion the these kids and the things they face outside the football field. Good lord.....

 

[Branno]

The last time we fired a coach for these reasons we got Callahan. But hey, let's fire Bo cause that will fix EVERYTHING.

This has got to stop. These two coaching situations are mutually exclusive. I am unsure what is right for this program at this moment, but fear of 2003 is not influencing my way of thinking and I pray to God it isn't Eichorst.

I also really wish we'd fired Osborne back in the 80s when he just couldn't get it done. Think of how great our team could have been without him.

You guys clamoring to replace Bo are what's crazy. He's essentially got a freshman football team out there and has a good shot at going 10-3 and winning a bowl game. Yes losing sucks. But give the man time to get it right.

Yep. Should have fired that coach in the 80s. The one with 7 conference championships, two close losses in NC clinching games, and perennially ranked in the Top Ten (sometimes Top 5). Calling that the same situation as right now is what is crazy.

Also, do you struggle with reading comprehension? I said I wasn't sure what should be done, I didn't call for Bo's firing.

Maybe I just remember history differently than you, because people were sure as hell calling for Osborne to be fired at that point.

My issue here is that you are open to Bo being fired. Historically if we fire a coach after just a few seasons that has performing well, the program goes into a free fall.

If we keep a coach that ignorant fans want fired, they go on to win 3 national championships.

Firing Bo does not fix our problems, it sets us back even further than we already are due to Callahan. Just give him time and support. We were willing to do it once.

 

[admo]

Ok, I don't "disagree" with the column, but look at the landscape of colleg football. There is so much more parity today than when TO coached. During the 70-80-90's, there truly where only about 10 really good programs in the entire country, and only 2 good programs in our conference.

Based on what d!(k, ( oops ), I mean Dirk, wrote, I am sure glad he wasn't making decisions during the 70-80's and early 90's or Tom, nor we as fans, would have ever had the opportunity to celebrate like we did...

Lets' see.... Winning 9 games a year, filling stadiums, having guys play hard and never quit, and LOSING most of the big games that your team plays.......are we talking about Tom or Bo.... because that is exactly what Tom did for the longest time. If Nebraska was able to beat OU, then you could almost automatically assume that we would lose in the bowl game or NC game... and yes, Tom's teams did get upset more than once.....Missouri, Iowa State, Florida State, Syracuse, on and on....

Now, I am not bashing TO, because he is my role model, (named my son after him), my wife has extremely close (daily) ties to TO and you will not find a bigger TO fan in the world than me.......but just trying to point out that TO and Bo are taking the same path... and TO only had to win 1 big game a year....not UCLA, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Michigan State (last year's schedule)..... and with only probably 10 great programs in the 70-80's, it was pretty stinkin easy to stay in the top 25.

This defense is very young and in given time, they will be outstanding. I predict that even as soon as next year, this team will have a top 10 defense, and if not, it will be in 2 years. The offense was destroyed by injury... You lose an All-American lineman, 1st team All-Big 10 qb, and injuries to basically the rest of the O-line and 2 of your top 3 WR.......WOW.... and you still find a way to beat Michigan at Ann Arbor and you somehow are even "in" a game after turning it over 5 times.....

This team has heart and passion, along with RAW talent.... the heart and passion start at the top....Bo....

If you want to set the program back another 5-8 years, listen to d!(k (oops, did it again), I mean Dirk....if not.... pray that Shawn makes the right choice. I can 100 %, without doubt, say that TO is hoping that Bo sticks around....and no, I will not a source on the last comment...

Yeah it would really be a scary thing if Bo Pelini got fired and Nebraska stopped being ranked, lost twice a year at home, usually in embarrassing fashion, constantly shot its foot off in big games, and didn't win a conference title for a decade and a half.

Guess I was unaware that Bo was responsible for the last decade and a half.... that is what happens when you start firing coaches after 9 win seasons...... you just made my point. Thanks.

Bo has had NU in title games in new conferences and old..... just haven't won.... and without the fluke Texas thing, he would have one on his resume...

Not saying that I am happy with this losing crap, but the revolving door of firing 9 win coaches and showing no patience is exactly what up and coming HC or established great ones are looking for.... a very attractive job, huh? Good luck with that. History shows that changing coaches works well around here. Let's run right out and do it again !

Job description: If you are only going to play in conference championships more than not, win a minumum of 9 games a year, icrease graduadtion rates, protect your players, cut-back on off field incidents, show passion for game, only get 3 years with your "own" recruits, switch conferences into the un-familar territory and still win......... then no need to apply.... you are under-qualified.

You must recruit to the middle of nowhere, win a championship (not just a conference, because that shine will wear off within 2 years without a NC) and you must get this done within 5 years, and make sure you win double digit games EVERY year.... screw parity...this is Nebraska...(should sell itself to a bunch of HS kids who don't even remember who TO is). .......... Man, wear do I sign up ?

Help me understand your point about 9 wins. It only takes 6 wins to become bowl eligible. They play at least 13 games a year. There are 6 winnable games against teams that are under matched against the Huskers throughout the year. Every year. Mostly at home. That leaves 7 games a year to play against similar competition. Under the direction and leadership of this coaching staff, they do find a way to win 3 of them.

 

[TheSker]

Ok, I don't "disagree" with the column, but look at the landscape of colleg football. There is so much more parity today than when TO coached. During the 70-80-90's, there truly where only about 10 really good programs in the entire country, and only 2 good programs in our conference.

Based on what d!(k, ( oops ), I mean Dirk, wrote, I am sure glad he wasn't making decisions during the 70-80's and early 90's or Tom, nor we as fans, would have ever had the opportunity to celebrate like we did...

Lets' see.... Winning 9 games a year, filling stadiums, having guys play hard and never quit, and LOSING most of the big games that your team plays.......are we talking about Tom or Bo.... because that is exactly what Tom did for the longest time. If Nebraska was able to beat OU, then you could almost automatically assume that we would lose in the bowl game or NC game... and yes, Tom's teams did get upset more than once.....Missouri, Iowa State, Florida State, Syracuse, on and on....

Now, I am not bashing TO, because he is my role model, (named my son after him), my wife has extremely close (daily) ties to TO and you will not find a bigger TO fan in the world than me.......but just trying to point out that TO and Bo are taking the same path... and TO only had to win 1 big game a year....not UCLA, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Michigan State (last year's schedule)..... and with only probably 10 great programs in the 70-80's, it was pretty stinkin easy to stay in the top 25.

This defense is very young and in given time, they will be outstanding. I predict that even as soon as next year, this team will have a top 10 defense, and if not, it will be in 2 years. The offense was destroyed by injury... You lose an All-American lineman, 1st team All-Big 10 qb, and injuries to basically the rest of the O-line and 2 of your top 3 WR.......WOW.... and you still find a way to beat Michigan at Ann Arbor and you somehow are even "in" a game after turning it over 5 times.....

This team has heart and passion, along with RAW talent.... the heart and passion start at the top....Bo....

If you want to set the program back another 5-8 years, listen to d!(k (oops, did it again), I mean Dirk....if not.... pray that Shawn makes the right choice. I can 100 %, without doubt, say that TO is hoping that Bo sticks around....and no, I will not a source on the last comment...

Yeah it would really be a scary thing if Bo Pelini got fired and Nebraska stopped being ranked, lost twice a year at home, usually in embarrassing fashion, constantly shot its foot off in big games, and didn't win a conference title for a decade and a half.

Guess I was unaware that Bo was responsible for the last decade and a half.... that is what happens when you start firing coaches after 9 win seasons...... you just made my point. Thanks.

Bo has had NU in title games in new conferences and old..... just haven't won.... and without the fluke Texas thing, he would have one on his resume...

Not saying that I am happy with this losing crap, but the revolving door of firing 9 win coaches and showing no patience is exactly what up and coming HC or established great ones are looking for.... a very attractive job, huh? Good luck with that. History shows that changing coaches works well around here. Let's run right out and do it again !

Job description: If you are only going to play in conference championships more than not, win a minumum of 9 games a year, icrease graduadtion rates, protect your players, cut-back on off field incidents, show passion for game, only get 3 years with your "own" recruits, switch conferences into the un-familar territory and still win......... then no need to apply.... you are under-qualified.

You must recruit to the middle of nowhere, win a championship (not just a conference, because that shine will wear off within 2 years without a NC) and you must get this done within 5 years, and make sure you win double digit games EVERY year.... screw parity...this is Nebraska...(should sell itself to a bunch of HS kids who don't even remember who TO is). .......... Man, wear do I sign up ?

Well if you substitute 2013 with 2006, Lincoln NE with the garden spot of Tuscaloosa Alabama, and the mythical head coach of Bear Bryant instead of TO.......you kinda hit the nail on the head with the current #1 team.

A map can help with anyone with uncertainty about recruiting advantages of Tuscaloosa AL as compared to Lincoln NE.

 

[NUinID]

Lets' see.... Winning 9 games a year, filling stadiums, having guys play hard and never quit, and LOSING most of the big games that your team plays.......are we talking about Tom or Bo.... because that is exactly what Tom did for the longest time.

For those of us old enough to remember, this is exactly right. For the younger posters, their history with Nebraska football dates back to the 90's.......and Osborne's legacy was cemented by his final 5 years as head coach. His first 20 years included the things you mention. And Osborne took over a program that had just come off back to back national titles. We were consistent winners between 1973 and 1993, as Pelini has been between 2008 and now. There are advantages to keeping a coach around for 25 years.......just like there are things to be learned from decisions made in 2003........oh, and Dirk's job is to write for a product that sells advertising space.

You two are just talking nonsense.

 

[True2tRA]

Yes, historically.......because historically Nebraska has fired so many coaches. Like what, 2 in the last fifty years?

 

[TheSker]

Yes, historically.......because historically Nebraska has fired so many coaches. Like what, 2 in the last fifty years?

Nope, just 2 in the last 10.

 

[HANC]

Ok, I don't "disagree" with the column, but look at the landscape of colleg football. There is so much more parity today than when TO coached. During the 70-80-90's, there truly where only about 10 really good programs in the entire country, and only 2 good programs in our conference.

Based on what d!(k, ( oops ), I mean Dirk, wrote, I am sure glad he wasn't making decisions during the 70-80's and early 90's or Tom, nor we as fans, would have ever had the opportunity to celebrate like we did...

Lets' see.... Winning 9 games a year, filling stadiums, having guys play hard and never quit, and LOSING most of the big games that your team plays.......are we talking about Tom or Bo.... because that is exactly what Tom did for the longest time. If Nebraska was able to beat OU, then you could almost automatically assume that we would lose in the bowl game or NC game... and yes, Tom's teams did get upset more than once.....Missouri, Iowa State, Florida State, Syracuse, on and on....

Now, I am not bashing TO, because he is my role model, (named my son after him), my wife has extremely close (daily) ties to TO and you will not find a bigger TO fan in the world than me.......but just trying to point out that TO and Bo are taking the same path... and TO only had to win 1 big game a year....not UCLA, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Michigan State (last year's schedule)..... and with only probably 10 great programs in the 70-80's, it was pretty stinkin easy to stay in the top 25.

This defense is very young and in given time, they will be outstanding. I predict that even as soon as next year, this team will have a top 10 defense, and if not, it will be in 2 years. The offense was destroyed by injury... You lose an All-American lineman, 1st team All-Big 10 qb, and injuries to basically the rest of the O-line and 2 of your top 3 WR.......WOW.... and you still find a way to beat Michigan at Ann Arbor and you somehow are even "in" a game after turning it over 5 times.....

This team has heart and passion, along with RAW talent.... the heart and passion start at the top....Bo....

If you want to set the program back another 5-8 years, listen to d!(k (oops, did it again), I mean Dirk....if not.... pray that Shawn makes the right choice. I can 100 %, without doubt, say that TO is hoping that Bo sticks around....and no, I will not a source on the last comment...

Yeah it would really be a scary thing if Bo Pelini got fired and Nebraska stopped being ranked, lost twice a year at home, usually in embarrassing fashion, constantly shot its foot off in big games, and didn't win a conference title for a decade and a half.

Guess I was unaware that Bo was responsible for the last decade and a half.... that is what happens when you start firing coaches after 9 win seasons...... you just made my point. Thanks.

Bo has had NU in title games in new conferences and old..... just haven't won.... and without the fluke Texas thing, he would have one on his resume...

Not saying that I am happy with this losing crap, but the revolving door of firing 9 win coaches and showing no patience is exactly what up and coming HC or established great ones are looking for.... a very attractive job, huh? Good luck with that. History shows that changing coaches works well around here. Let's run right out and do it again !

Job description: If you are only going to play in conference championships more than not, win a minumum of 9 games a year, icrease graduadtion rates, protect your players, cut-back on off field incidents, show passion for game, only get 3 years with your "own" recruits, switch conferences into the un-familar territory and still win......... then no need to apply.... you are under-qualified.

You must recruit to the middle of nowhere, win a championship (not just a conference, because that shine will wear off within 2 years without a NC) and you must get this done within 5 years, and make sure you win double digit games EVERY year.... screw parity...this is Nebraska...(should sell itself to a bunch of HS kids who don't even remember who TO is). .......... Man, wear do I sign up ?

Help me understand your point about 9 wins. It only takes 6 wins to become bowl eligible. They play at least 13 games a year. There are 6 winnable games against teams that are under matched against the Huskers throughout the year. Every year. Mostly at home. That leaves 7 games a year to play against similar competition. Under the direction and leadership of this coaching staff, they do find a way to win 3 of them.

Ok, let's throw the # out the window...your argument makes my "original point" about TO even stronger. TO would win a "higher" % of his games, but you could realistically say that his teams in the 70-80s only played 1, yes 1 team a year with the same talent level as Nebraska.....and for MANY of those years, we LOST.... Bo has to play 7...... many years, TO went 0-1 against teams with similar talent..... 0-1 is a worse winning percentage than the 3-4 (7 teams) that you threw out.

I am just stating that TO and Bo have similar starts and when people wanted to fire TO, thank goodness Devany didn't listen (or was too drunk to understand)... because continuity pays off.

 

[The Dude]

My issue here is that you are open to Bo being fired. Historically if we fire a coach after just a few seasons that has performing well, the program goes into a free fall.

If we keep a coach that ignorant fans want fired, they go on to win 3 national championships.

I don't know what to think when you say things like this. So, if we keep Bo, we're destined to win 3 national championships, fired him and we're destined to hire someone as bad as Callahan?

That's kind of . . . out there.

It would be interesting to know roughly what percentage of Husker fans actually wanted Osborne fired (show of hands, anyone?). People where getting frustrated with not winning the national title, because we were so close for so long. People are frustrated with Pelini for entirely different reasons. We've been nowhere close to sniffing a national championship during his tenure.

 

[ObamaRocks91]

Personally, I thought a football coaches job at this level was to compete for championships, but Bo listed his priorities when he was hired here. I don't know if many of you remember that press conference, but he listed quite a few other things above winning games. We shouldn't be surprised. He is taking care of these kids, academics are up, he's teaching them to succeed in life after football and apparently winning games is on the back burner to those things. Okay I guess? I wish we could have both, but maybe both are not possible. What is possible? Are we doing our best? Or does this off the field stuff matter to people as much as the on field performance?

He also has about a dozen quotes of him saying the exact words, "We are here to win championships. Not division championships, either. Conference and national championships and I haven't met my own expectations in that regard."

Bo has a lot of quotes where he's said something and meant something completely different or was being a flat out liar, so let's not even get into Bo's quotes.

I'm aware of him saying those things you mentioned. My point was more towards, is it his priority? Is it even his top three priority? I bet not. I bet he puts raising these kids, academics, and success in life after football above winning games. And maybe he should?

Elite coaches can make all 3 of those things a priority. Just because a coach wins championships doesn't mean he doesn't care about academics, raising the kids, etc. You can do both and all can be a priority.