That's right, I said it.
I know it's an old argument, but word from an insider is he wasn't allowed to bring on a new/different DC. Had he been able to I would bet my house on our program being in better shape now.
After 2 seasons in a row now I don't have much optimism about the next season. That never happened w/ BC. What is there to be excited about for next year...or even for the next few years? Who is the QB coming up that will give us hope. I mean...TMart can still improve, but it's hard to get excited about that...and I've been one of his supporters since day 1. BC had his faults, but he was making progress and he brought excellent talent to the program and was improving on his recruiting as years went by. His last full class was really good and the one he had in the works was excellent. If he just could/would have had a chance to revamp the D side and bring in a good DC. I blame his premature/short sighted firing on the many or at least vocal spoiled fans/players/boosters who IMO were close minded and a little too full of themselves. Now it will be virtually impossible to bring any any new HC that is in high demand. It'll have to be a homer or younger guy which will be an attempt at finding/praying for a diamond in the rough/up-n-comer. Us being so rigid and stubborn on our HC conforming to our "Nebraska way"(whatever that is...) and our tightness w/ paying coaches will see to this.
That all said, I guess it's easy to be excited about our young receivers...and hoping TMart works hard this off season and makes some big strides. He was just a sophomore this year afterall...
I agree with you that he brought in some really good recruits but it didn't seem like he did anything with them. After his last season here did you really still want him to stay? I didn't. Wasn't there also a complaint that he simply didn't understand our culture? My opinion was that Bill just wasn't a good college coach. It wasn't the first time that an NFL coach made the jump to college and it didn't work out. He sounds like a good offensive line coach or whatever he does for the Jets. I also don't think it was just that he wasn't willing to change DC that ended his career here. There were many things.
I think, if you were interested, that you could go back in the archives of this board and read the reasons why the university fired him and Steve Pederson. I respectfully disagree: I do not wish that Bill was still our coach. Sorry.
It's a re-hash, but there was definitely a mismatch in understanding Nebraska history, culture, walk-ons, colege vs pros, etc. (We are seeing a little of that cultural disconnect coming from PSU right now.........and they haven't even played a down). Plus, the verdict is still out (jmo) on whether or not he is a Head Coach type. Might be another case of the Peter Principal at play. Take an outstanding offensive line guy and promote him into an inefficient CEO.
Having said all that ....................IF the rumors about Barney hanging it up are true................I'd LOVE for BC to be our O-line coach ! Of course, it will never happen, but I'd dream it would be a great fit (if not for his prior experience here).
There, that last sentence should convince doubters that we all don't HATE BC. It just wasn't a position and/or cultural match for him here.