Indiana and Nebraska

This is what's just wild to me.

Tom Allen had seven seasons in Bloomington with a high win total of eight. He won nine in his last three seasons combined. He then took a job as the defensive coordinator in Penn State and currently works for Clemson, both big programs. It's not like the guy was a loser or perceived as a loser even after his Indiana struggles. And that's because most would say no one could turn it around at Indiana.

CIg is a winner. Sure. I can get behind that statement. But his resume indicates that he was a position coach at Alabama. He has had more instant FBS success that Sark (5-7 in his first year at Washington) or Kirby (8-5 in his first year at Georgia) or Lane (lots of low lights until Ole Miss). And those are more high-profile guys who were coordinators under Nick.

Prior to Indiana, he was the HC of IUP, Elon, and James Madison. And now, in his first two years, he may take the Hoosiers to 20-plus wins, a conference crown and two trips to the college football playoff.

He brought coaches with him from James Madison (many coaches do this). He found players through the portal (who doesn't).

No one could have ever seen that coming. if it happens, it's college football history right before our eyes.

Just WILD.

And he might not leave for a while. Indiana won the freaking lottery in terms of instant football success.
 
Bottom line Cig is a winner period. 138-33 as a head college coach. Indiana is for real. They’ll blow out Iowa. This years Indiana team is the complete package all sides of the ball. I have them beating Oregon in Eugene. I won’t be shocked if they win the Big Ten.
The line this weekend...Indiana -7 at Iowa...man does that seem stinky.
 
Hmmm, #3 is interesting.

Bo was hired with basically no HC'ing experience BUT he did have a lot of backing.

Totally agree on Riley

Frost had little experience BUT of course was a Husker legend.


Bo was a top 5 head coach candidate in the country going into 2008, thought of along the same lines as Stoops, Kirby, Venables, Narduzzi and others as the next proven elite coordinator ready for success as a head guy.
 
This is what's just wild to me.

Tom Allen had seven seasons in Bloomington with a high win total of eight. He won nine in his last three seasons combined. He then took a job as the defensive coordinator in Penn State and currently works for Clemson, both big programs. It's not like the guy was a loser or perceived as a loser even after his Indiana struggles. And that's because most would say no one could turn it around at Indiana.

CIg is a winner. Sure. I can get behind that statement. But his resume indicates that he was a position coach at Alabama. He has had more instant FBS success that Sark (5-7 in his first year at Washington) or Kirby (8-5 in his first year at Georgia) or Lane (lots of low lights until Ole Miss). And those are more high-profile guys who were coordinators under Nick.

Prior to Indiana, he was the HC of IUP, Elon, and James Madison. And now, in his first two years, he may take the Hoosiers to 20-plus wins, a conference crown and two trips to the college football playoff.

He brought coaches with him from James Madison (many coaches do this). He found players through the portal (who doesn't).

No one could have ever seen that coming. if it happens, it's college football history right before our eyes.

Just WILD.

And he might not leave for a while. Indiana won the freaking lottery in terms of instant football success.
 
August 2024 24/7 sports article on Top 50 in terms of NIL money. Huskers 42nd at 236 million, Indiana at 28th-351 million, Oregon #1-969 million. Sad state of affairs, but money and coaching is everything. Money can help a lot of coaches look like superstars.
 
August 2024 24/7 sports article on Top 50 in terms of NIL money. Huskers 42nd at 236 million, Indiana at 28th-351 million, Oregon #1-969 million. Sad state of affairs, but money and coaching is everything. Money can help a lot of coaches look like superstars.

I would like to see that article. Those numbers look .... odd.
 
Indiana is doing something that hasn't been done before or at least not in recent history. There are dozens of programs trying to replicate it- all are falling short. Cig is a good coach who had the right timing going to Indiana. He is abrasive so many top programs ignored his success at other, more prominent programs. Indiana had nothing to lose so they gave him a shot. Against all odds, it worked and exceeded all expectations for the hire. Is it sustainable? Time will tell.

Nebraska is on an upward trajectory, unlike many of the teams who hired new coaches in the last 3 years. As I mentioned in another thread, I think most of us agree that our current team would likely beat any of the Riley or Frost coached teams. We are in a good place compared to the last 10 years. I think fans would do well to remember that and enjoy the climb back. We all want national championship teams but don't let that override the joy that comes from beating the average opponent- something we have struggled to do for the last 10 years. Will Rhule get us there? Who knows but I'm going to do my best to enjoy the climb, however high he can take us.
Interesting take on Cignetti, he is abrasive and so vain he dyes his hair like an 80 year old woman.. I'm not ready to pronounce him a superstar, let's see how he does over time.
 
Diving more closely in the article its total donations from donors 2005-2022. It still correlates with success regarding the vast differences in dollars.
 
I wonder how the Nebraska media would do dealing with cigs.

That would be interesting to see.

He gives some good quotes but he is not a huge talker. He also strikes me as the type that would not really care about the press.
From what little I know about Cignetti I think the fishbowl here would drive him nuts and he would give pissier & pissier answers, particularly after hard losses. I think it drove Bo nuts in the end, and I don't think Frost or Callahan cared for it either. It's a lot to put up with. I couldn't do it.
 
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