Dana Holgorsen Hired as Offensive Coordinator

[ZRod]

Rhule and the administration need to get this deal done. 3 weeks on the job and most points scored in a game all year. 30 more points than we have been averaging vs big10 competition. 

Literally more than twice as many points as any Rhule/Stat coached team has scored against a Power4/5 team at Nebraska.

 

[Guy Chamberlin]

So is Marcus Satterfield working the same sideline during the game? He's still technically the TE coach, right?

Those would be some awkward reaction shots. 

 

[Huskers93-97]

I don't know the exact question he was asked in the press conference, I think about whether he wants to be a head coach, and he said he doesn't know what's going to happen and doesn't want to talk about it and wants to focus on Iowa. But before that, before being asked anything of the sort, he was talking about the 14 bowl practices and coaching the bowl game, so he seems to have every intention of coaching the bowl game. But I still get the sense he doesn't want to speak in absolutes because he can't know what offers he might get.

I really hope nobody offers him a HC gig worth more than 5 million, or that he's content to have the "relaxing" job of being an OC for awhile and making 4.5 million for it. I can't possibly put myself into his shoes but I'll try anyway... I feel maybe he'd want to strike while the iron's hot, but on the other hand, if he believes in himself, he might think he can gain a lot more by having a full season with Raiola, and then get a better job than he can get right now. That's if he wants to try HC again. Right now he's in an ideal situation for an OC as long as he and Rhule get along. Maybe that gets tested if he wants different position coaches hired and Rhule doesn't want that.

I would think if we score like we did against Wisconsin the last 2 games that will turn heads nationally. BUT if he was smart he would come here next year and if he does it for a full season he would get a legit P4 job I think. Possibly a P2 job if one opens

 

[runningblind]

I would think if we score like we did against Wisconsin the last 2 games that will turn heads nationally. BUT if he was smart he would come here next year and if he does it for a full season he would get a legit P4 job I think. Possibly a P2 job if one opens

I take it you mean HC job, and I always think this line of thinking is so flawed.  A guy does a great job as an OC, what makes anyone think he will be a good HC?  Especially if he already has HC experience that didn't end well a couple times before?  The Peter principle is too prevalent, but I know it is a crap shoot.   No guarantee the offense at the new school will be any good, still need a good OC there if this guy is going to be the HC you know?  

 

[Mierin]

I take it you mean HC job, and I always think this line of thinking is so flawed.  A guy does a great job as an OC, what makes anyone think he will be a good HC?  Especially if he already has HC experience that didn't end well a couple times before?  The Peter principle is too prevalent, but I know it is a crap shoot.   No guarantee the offense at the new school will be any good, still need a good OC there if this guy is going to be the HC you know?  

It's not about what "anyone" thinks, it's about what one team that's willing to spend a lot of money thinks, and whether he wants to be a HC again. Maybe he and Chip Kelly will stay highly paid coordinators forever, maybe someone will want to try them at HC again. *shrug*  Also, his tenure at WV was decent. 61-41 with a final season of 8-4.

What I'm thinking more about is worst case scenario for Nebraska, and I think the only scenario he leaves for would be a HC job. Leaving for an OC job makes no sense right now, because nobody will pay him even 60% of what he's making right now with the Houston money.

 

[runningblind]

It's not about what "anyone" thinks, it's about what one team that's willing to spend a lot of money thinks, and whether he wants to be a HC again. Maybe he and Chip Kelly will stay highly paid coordinators forever, maybe someone will want to try them at HC again. *shrug*  Also, his tenure at WV was decent. 61-41 with a final season of 8-4.

What I'm thinking more about is worst case scenario for Nebraska, and I think the only scenario he leaves for would be a HC job. Leaving for an OC job makes no sense right now, because nobody will pay him even 60% of what he's making right now with the Houston money.

I fully agree, someone would hire him.  I just think some of these hiring decisions are silly.  He would still get the Houston money, minus his salary, so the net is the same no matter what he does.  All about what he feels like doing, as you said. 

 

[Huskers93-97]

I take it you mean HC job, and I always think this line of thinking is so flawed.  A guy does a great job as an OC, what makes anyone think he will be a good HC?  Especially if he already has HC experience that didn't end well a couple times before?  The Peter principle is too prevalent, but I know it is a crap shoot.   No guarantee the offense at the new school will be any good, still need a good OC there if this guy is going to be the HC you know?  

Understand that. But we have seen this same scenario play out recently. Failed ex HC goes back for a year or 2 as an OC or DC. Have great success then get a big time HC job. They have been having success as their 2nd chances as HC too. Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin are 2 of the bigger names that come to mind 

 

[lo country]

Dana was 92-69 as a HC.  Unsure if he was OC at WVU and Houston.  But we are hiring him as an OC.  They have been pretty prolific.  I'm a run the damn ball guy, but I was impressed Sat with hi splay calling especially for his use of the running game.  I think the allure of a QB like DR would play into his decision making to stay.  An opportunity to develop another QB and get him into the NFL.  I think he'd be good hear at least until DR leaves.  BUT DK has a high ceiling as well if reports are true.  What he did Sat was after 3 weeks at NU.  Without his guys, scheme or staff.  I also like he's auditioning for the job with the players, team, coaches, facilities etc...Better than hiring a guy who hasn't "experienced" the fish bowl that is NU.

 

[caveman99]

Rhule and the administration need to get this deal done. 3 weeks on the job and most points scored in a game all year. 30 more points than we have been averaging vs big10 competition. 
 

I listened to his press conference and he just has a great view on things. It sounds like their playbook was too complicated and all over the place. He simplified things for the kids so they can just go play ball and look what happened. Sounds like satt had kids moving all over in different positions and he kept it simple so the players were not thinking just reacting. Pay the dude HC $$. Cheaper than a Rhule buyout if he hires another loser OC 

He already is making HC money from Houston. I don’t get why people are clamoring to “open up the checkbook” when he is already making $4.5mm a year. 

 

[lo country]

He already is making HC money from Houston. I don’t get why people are clamoring to “open up the checkbook” when he is already making $4.5mm a year. 

You could have Dana as OC/QB Coach and free up Thomas' salary ($800k and 3rd highest staff member) and possibly let McGuire go as well (285k) and spread the money from Thomas and McGuire to a new TE/WR coach (assuming Satt won't be back).  Unsure if any of them have buy outs.  Looks like Dana is getting $14.8 million from Houston through 2027.  This year and next year are $4.8 million and then 2026 and 2027 are approx $2.9 million/year.  If we permanently hire Dana, does NU take over the Houston salary?  I wouldn't throw Denbrock money at him.  Yet...

 

[caveman99]

You could have Dana as OC/QB Coach and free up Thomas' salary ($800k and 3rd highest staff member) and possibly let McGuire go as well (285k) and spread the money from Thomas and McGuire to a new TE/WR coach (assuming Satt won't be back).  Unsure if any of them have buy outs.  Looks like Dana is getting $14.8 million from Houston through 2027.  This year and next year are $4.8 million and then 2026 and 2027 are approx $2.9 million/year.  If we permanently hire Dana, does NU take over the Houston salary?  I wouldn't throw Denbrock money at him.  Yet...

It doesn’t matter what NU salary is freed up for him, he has an offset clause in his Houston contract. Unless NU pays him more than $4.5mm, which no OC in the country currently comes close to, next season, $4.5mm is what Dana will make next year no matter what NU pays him. That is why the “open up the checkbook” comment is moronic.

 

[Toe]

Rhule and the administration need to get this deal done. 3 weeks on the job and most points scored in a game all year in three years.

^ Fixed

Understand that. But we have seen this same scenario play out recently. Failed ex HC goes back for a year or 2 as an OC or DC. Have great success then get a big time HC job. They have been having success as their 2nd chances as HC too. Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin are 2 of the bigger names that come to mind 

Unfortunately, the Nick Saban Coaching Rehab School has closed.

 

[lo country]

It doesn’t matter what NU salary is freed up for him, he has an offset clause in his Houston contract. Unless NU pays him more than $4.5mm, which no OC in the country currently comes close to, next season, $4.5mm is what Dana will make next year no matter what NU pays him. That is why the “open up the checkbook” comment is moronic.

I'm tracking. Was unsure of what clauses, if any were in his contract.  I just know it was for $14.8 million over 4 years.  2024/2025 100% if salary and 2026/2027 is 60% of salary.  

 

[Mavric]

You could have Dana as OC/QB Coach and free up Thomas' salary ($800k and 3rd highest staff member) and possibly let McGuire go as well (285k) and spread the money from Thomas and McGuire to a new TE/WR coach (assuming Satt won't be back).  Unsure if any of them have buy outs.  Looks like Dana is getting $14.8 million from Houston through 2027.  This year and next year are $4.8 million and then 2026 and 2027 are approx $2.9 million/year.  If we permanently hire Dana, does NU take over the Houston salary?  I wouldn't throw Denbrock money at him.  Yet...

Not trying to call you out, because I don't know where you've been on all these guys.  I just think the flow is interesting to watch.

Frost was stupid to not have a dedicated special teams coach.  Now we have one, we're still terrible and people want him fired.

Frost and Rhule were stupid to not have a dedicated QB coach.  Now it didn't look there was any difference for much of the year and people think he should be gone.

People were freaking out about White leaving last year and insisting we should pay whatever it takes to keep him.  Now half the crowd wants him fired.

People insisted Raiola should be fired and was only kept to get his nephew.  Now the consensus seems to be the OL is performing pretty well.

People were ecstatic that we got an NFL DC and DC-in-waiting to coach DBs.  Now our DBs may be our most underperforming unit.

We sure employ a whole bunch of coaches who seem know how to coach then forget how to coach on a yearly - if not weekly - basis.

 

[runningblind]

Frost was stupid

I agree with all, but mostly with this part.