John Butler Hired as Secondary Coach/Defensive Passing Game Coordinator
- Thread starter Mavric
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MacReady
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You gotta show me how to isolate and respond to specific quotes––that's a handy trick! For now I'll have to respond to your full post, like a jabroni...
As for recruiting, I absolutely agree that why it's down is a completely different conversation than if it is. But that's not what you originally said. You insinuated that Rhule's recruiting has been pretty average (or below average), as if he has somehow fumbled the royal torch that was passed to him. I could be mistaken, but if you were simply meaning to say that recruiting is down, why would you sandwich that in between two clear criticisms of Rhule? To say that he has been pretty average or below, in the context you used, would imply that he is underperforming.
The two players from 2024 that we let slip through our fingers...one ended up at South Dakota, and the other signed with Northern Iowa. The other heavy-hitters that comprised their offer list were: Dartmouth, Fordham, Wyoming, Montana, Northern Illinois, and Coastal Carolina. I'm not trying to pooh on those two kids, I'm sure they're good players and great kids. But that's an odd thing to bring up as knock on Rhule's recruiting. And I said Rhule has done a solid job in state, not great. We certainly have work to do with the top guys in 2025, but look who we're fighting for their services. Considering that Omaha kids tend to not possess great loyalty to this program (a trend that has accelerated the last 20 years), I would say it's somewhat impressive what Rhule has done in the town up north that has little to no relatability to the rest of the state. From all accounts, before Rhule got here we were an afterthought for Hall, McMorris, and Benning; all three of which have higher composite ratings and more impressive offer lists than the two guys you referenced. Not to mention that borderline 5* Carter Nelson was anything but a lock. Like I said, a lot can happen between now and December. In my opinion, this season is a crossroads for the program. One way or the other.
And I'm sorry to break it to ya, but we've been a Mike Riley level program ever since Colorado hung a 60-burger on us back in '01.
I'm not denying that we've been after Raiola long before Rhule got here. That's why I said he shouldn't receive all the credit, but the dude deserves some. And it's been heavily discussed here and anywhere else that talks about Husker football that a previous coach on the previous staff had a few...unfavorable experiences with the Raiola family. I haven't talked with Dylan about it (still waiting for his response to my Facebook messages), but I would bet that the family ties and history with the university were the main reasons he is here. However, I would argue that this staff was more influential in his commitment than the previous one.
I wasn't deflecting about the misconduct in regards to the assistant coaches. Whether I agree with it or not, this stuff is erased from memory as long as the wins come. I mean, look at Georgia. They currently have a serious issue with automotive accidents and incidents within the program that has persisted for some time now. Just last week it was reported that Kirby had a speaker come in and give another presentation/lecture to the entire team, and not 24 hours later two players were busted for racing each other on a main street in Athens. Is there culture issues at Georgia? Should we be concerned about Kirby's judge of character or control within his program? And yes, I know that one issue involves 18 year old kids and the other is grown-up coaches. But one issue has caused deaths and the other, at worst, has cost marriages (allegedly). And judging by the numbers in this country, that is a 50/50 chance anyway. All this is a roundabout way to say that it's easy to look the other way when Playoff appearances are the norm. IF we win 8 games and that momentum carries into recruiting, all this coaching stuff will be forgotten like a good shake to an Etch A Sketch. Not defending or justifying it. It just is what it is.
If you quote the post, then click within the post and Return down a couple of times, it will split the quoted part into sections which you can type between.
No, that's what you inferred from what I said. I only said there are a few places he could be getting valid criticism for but isn't. You can look at the post in this link to see how I explained it more fully a few days ago. But .... I mean ... we are getting out-recruited by Rutgers, TCU, SMU, Georgia Tech and Maryland right now, among others.
Um ... no. 247 had Hall, McMorris and Benning all lower rated.
And thanks for proving my point about Pelini.
They were talked about a lot. But they are simply not true. Just what people want to believe.
And Rhule really didn't put any effort into recruiting Raiola, Raiola called him out of the blue and said he wanted to filp.
Yes, people usually look the other way when you're winning. Rhule isn't winning and people are still looking the other way. Thanks for making my point.
Wistrom Disciple
Active member
Who have we lost to any of those teams that we seriously pursued lately? I'll use Rutgers as an example as they are currently ranked 5th in the conference per 247 with 29 commits with an average player rating of 87.59. We sit at 10th with 16 commits at an average of 88.06. Last year we were at 32 commits with an average of 88.23 and they had 25 commits at a 86.91 average. So I don't quite follow where you're going.
Saying Rhule didn't put any effort into getting Dylan is laughable. It defies logic as there is photo and video evidence on numerous occasions where Rhule was trying to build a relationship.
Rhule has addressed a few personnel challenges rather efficiently and professionally. Martin's DUI, Cooper's situation, Trev hitting the road. I have a feeling others were handled privately... the Simpson & Hales departures seemed to be a unexpected from my outsider view. A lesser leader might not have handled all those situations as well.
Additionally, Rhule & Co. have improved our image with regional HS coaches, hired some impressive assistants, and otherwise changed the tenor coming from the players and program. Several players choosing to return to the school for years 5 & 6 feels unusual for a team that hasn't had a winning record during their tenures. I'm not sure what expectations you might have had, but I think most are optimistic about the coming year.
I agree with you on the Pelini aspect, his performance is often overlooked. Would have loved to see Bo have the same administrative support Frost & Rhule have had.
Wistrom Disciple
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MacReady
New member
Thanks for tutorial! This makes things much easier.
I completely agree there are valid criticisms. I just don't see how his recruiting is toward the top of that list. I followed your link about recruiting and it seems we are in complete agreeance on the current state of recruiting. However, it seems we're attributing blame to different sources. I saw that you mentioned giving him a small pass for taking over our sinking-Titanic of a program, which was a good point. I think that is the main point to be made here. There is a stink around this program right now that only a few coaches on planet Earth could clense in less than a year, and none of them were ever coming here. Rhule didn't help himself with the way last season nose-dove into pavement. Though even if we played in and won the Charmin Extra-Soft Bowl I doubt it would've made a much of a difference on the recruiting trail, especially not to any big fish. And I'm all for a good pitch fork rally, but maybe let's pump the brakes on where the recruiting standings are in July. If we finish behind those teams, you and I can organzie the mob to meet at my place.
Bruh, I said the composite ratings. https://247sports.com/season/2024-football/compositerecruitrankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool&State=NE
I've never said one bad thing about Pelini on this board. Was this directed at someone else?
Good to know. I'll inform the others.
Yes, and Bronny James was one of the best 60 prospects for the NBA this year. I think there may be more to the story than Raiola rained down from the sky. I conceded that Rhule wasn't the MAIN reason Raiola is here, but you gotta meet me halfway in reality. No way the Raiolas were letting Dylan go to a situation where he wouldn't have a good chance to succeed. I mean, Dylan has said he wants to be the next Mahomes, kid even wears his number and has adobted his mannerisms. I refuse to believe that the relationship and faith in his future coach wasn't a top priority on his list.
Once again, I've absolutely agreed with you that Rhule is getting the benefit of the doubt right now. We just disagree on which ones are justified or not.
No ... what? No I was wrong in that comment? That is incorrect.
Did he recruit Raiola after Raiola said he was looking to flip? You bet he did. Trying to give him a lot of credit for not ignoring a five-star QB who wants to come to your school? That's the anti-Pelini point I've been making. You're doing a great job of making it for me.
Wistrom Disciple
Active member
No as in your comment of no effort to recruit Dylan prior to Dylan calling Rhule is far from accurate. Your stance is that Matt Rhule didn't start recruiting Dylan until 8 months ago in December 2023? Surely you are trolling, no?
In case you are not, here are just a few articles from well over a year ago where Rhule & staff's effort were being commended: Feb. '23, March, & March(2). There are several others, but I think you get the point.
My point is that he committed to Georgia and that was basically the end of it. Until Raiola changed his mind and called back.
Wistrom Disciple
Active member
We are talking about two different time frames. Yes, he was recruiting Raiola before he committed to Georgia.
But once he committed to Georgia, we moved on. It's not like we were still after him for six months and finally got him to flip. He was off our board and we were on to the next. Which is fine. But we got very lucky that Georgia's QB decided not to declare for the draft and Raiola decided he wanted to flip. He changed his mind all by himself.
Wistrom Disciple
Active member
Thank you for clarifying, your initial response did not distinguish between the two other than Rhule didn't put an effort in.
Agreed, we are very lucky that Dylan decided to come here and hope the on-field success will follow.
