Grape Julius

I am extremely interested to see if any coaches remain from the previous staff. The names I have seen thrown around are:

 

Warren = Not sure why everyone is so high on him. I don't have anything against him but, he has only been here one year. It's pretty hard to gauge how good a coach really is in that short of time. Especially when the specialty of the HC was his position. Not sure how good he is without Bo.

 

Kaz = I think this could be a very interesting or important coach to consider. I think the Davis Twins are two of the biggest recruits in this class so far. I think it's easier for them to remain committed if Kaz is still here. On top of that, I thought our D line played well this year and some players improved under his coaching.

 

Brown = I think it all depends on what he really wants to do. He has proven he can coach pretty much any of the positions he has coached before.

 

I know Brown has the right mindset to be successful. I believe the only chance the other two have of being even considered is if they can prove to Riley that they don't have the "us against the fan base" mentality that Bo instilled throughout the program. If they don't have that, I could see him strongly considering keeping them.

 

 

Just can not see any possible way that Mike Riley retains Kaz--I might very well be wrong, but will be shocked if it happens. Those two are just about the very definition of "polar opposites" when it comes to coaching philosophy and how to treat/motivate players.

 

So we're getting a lot of Oregon State assistants (which I'm trying to reserve judgment on), not getting Frost, probably not getting Steele or Orgeron...and the one position coach we wanted from OSU may not be coming?

 

You need to understand that Frost said before that he would not come back without being the HC. This is more to do with Frost than Riley.

 

 

I'm not blaming Riley for Frost at all--I only mentioned him as one of the disappointments of an assistant coach staff that is a little bit...nondescript so far. Not "bad", not a "dumpster fire"--just a little underwhelming at this point in the hiring process.

 

That said, if MR can add just one big name recruiter (Orgeron, Orgeron, Orgeron...), I think it'll be fine. For all the faults Banker supposedly had in the eyes of the OSU fans, I can't see how he wouldn't be an upgrade over Papuchis.

So we're getting a lot of Oregon State assistants (which I'm trying to reserve judgment on), not getting Frost, probably not getting Steele or Orgeron...and the one position coach we wanted from OSU may not be coming?

 

 

 

Any truth to the rumor that Banker is not coming as the DC?

Sounds like Foster Farms. I think McKewon Tweeted that....

 

Every young boy, throwing and kicking the pigskin around in his back yard, dreams of growing up to one day take the field for the Huskers in the Foster Farms Bowl.

As I was scouring the internet, looking for something to help me feel better about the (rumored, alleged) assistant coaching hires, I found this and thought it was interesting. Really sorry if it's been posted already--I'm sure it probably has at some point, but thought a refresh might not be a bad idea anyway, (given our current circumstances).

 

Some notable names, along with their records against the Top 25:

 

Mark Dantonio: 12-25

 

Bill Snyder: 23-43

 

Bret Bielema: 10-20

 

Jerry Kill: 1-10

 

Gary Pinkel: 15-37

 

Kirk Ferentz: 19-34

 

Gary Anderson: 2-8

 

Gary Patterson: 14-14

 

Dan Mullen: 2-21

 

Kyle Whittingham: 9-13

 

Paul Johnson: 7-20

 

Bo Pelini: 9-14

 

Mike Riley: 13-39

 

 

What I take away from that list is that Bo and Mike both performed about the same as other respected coaching names on that list, as did other candidates mentioned on our collective wish list, and that's not such a bad thing. Stats are funny--they can say everything while at the same time indicating nothing, based on the sample size you use. If we changed the list to only include results against the Top 10, the numbers would look even worse for some pretty big names.

 

Saban was 22-23 against the Top 25 at Michigan State and LSU. Spurrier is 18-23 at South Carolina. Les Miles has a good record against the Top 25 now, but at Oklahoma State, he was only 3-12. Meanwhile, Brian Kelly actually had a better record at his previous stops--8-4 at Central Michigan and Cincinnati--than his current 7-7 record at a school with considerably more resources.

 

In fact, the only names that really jumped out on the list for strong, consistent success against the Top 25 at a single program were David Shaw at 14-4 (wow), and Bob Stoops at 50-25. And after last night, more than a few Sooner fans would be more than happy to help Stoops pack his bags for Lincoln, Gainesville, Iowa City, or just about any other one-way travel destination not named Norman, Oklahoma. Honest question: would we have wanted Stoops, based on his past success (like Tressel)? Or was finding the right fit for THIS program ultimately more important?

 

I'm still in "wait and see" mode on the assistants. I will be pretty disappointed if we don't end up with Eddie O (especially when he's publicly expressed interest) or Kevin Steele. But I like Riley and am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on putting together his own staff, because the truth of the matter is, we can't accurately predict how successful he's going to be here based on his past record, and the same can be said for the rest of his coaching staff.

 

 

I have to admit I'm enjoying watching the Badger meltdown right now. I think they felt they were going to roll right over OSU, and its quite the contrary.

I, too, am greatly enjoying the collective misery of the Badger fan base.

 

We can probably go ahead and skip the next 8 or 9 months--I'm ready for the 2015 season to begin right now.

I'm sold. Completely sold. Sold as in "I can't believe what a 180 degree turn I'm making" sold.

 

The guy has always had a well-earned reputation as one of the nicest people in all of sports; I knew this. What I didn't know was just how limited his resources at Corvalis really were. People point to his time with the Chargers--well, his prospects for a successful NFL coaching stint began and ended with Kevin Gilbride gifting him with a 2nd year malcontent QB named Ryan Leaf.

 

I was initially disappointed about not getting Tressel, but I'd take Riley over all of the other credible names mentioned. The very thought of having someone like Bielema (who I don't believe for a second was even offered) leading our Huskers in the tunnel walk next year is enough to make me physically sick. The Vest was one thing, but a skunk like Bielema? Hells no.

 

At the end of the day, we ended up with a very good coach and an even better person. I know that's the company line, but I don't care--in this guy's case, I believe it. I'm behind Coach Riley 100%.

And in defense of Sock.........

 

 

.....absolutely NOBODY had so much as a WHISPER of Mike Riley before this morning.

 

 

We might have to consider the possibility that Eichorst was a cool assassin after all.

That's a fair point.

 

My initial disappointment was more about the fact that it wasnt Tressel than anything else. Mike Riley has always been known for being a class act and as genuine a nice guy as they come, but I had always also assumed that he was a mediocre game coach. Just from a little afternoon research, I'm blown away by how limited those Corvalis resources really are--had NO idea.

 

Then, when you take a look at Nick Saban's largely mediocre record at Michigan State before he ended up in Alabama... there are some interesting parallels with a good coach moving up to better resources. Big splash hire? No. But if Orgeron (sp?) comes aboard, as has been mentioned, and the right coordinators are hired? Hmm.

 

Sock, you are forgiven. Even so, it may be quite awhile before I can bring myself to place trust in comfortable, sensible footwear again.

At first, I was all like

 

 

 

 

But now, I'm all like

I will never trust a sock again and will defiantly go sockless the rest of the day.

 

I feel the exact same way. Anything labeled "100% cotton" is now suspect in my book. Cotton, Wool, Nylon, Polyester blends--they are all dead to me.

 

I will walk around in a pair of CROCS before I ever, EVER put those hated things known as "socks" on my person again.

 

AND, I take back my previous praise of Jim Henson. From this day forward, I now prefer Mimes to Puppeteers.

So I have an insider source, but no I came to most likely shoot down everyone's big plane from Columbus thingy. I did a little research and here's what I came up with:

 

So the plane is part of Landscapes Unlimited who designs athletic facilities and golf courses, it just so happens that they are part of the design team renovating the Woody Hayes practice facilities at Ohio St. I did the obvious and searched for Columbus on their site and here's what came up.

 

http://www.landscapesunlimited.com/search/node/columbus

http://www.landscapesunlimited.com/woody-hays-practice-football-fields

 

So it looks like they are doing the irrigation and infrastructure work on the building.

Little about the project:

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2014/05/a_waterfall_one_of_many_featur.html

 

So they are doing landscaping/most likely the waterfall....So that is why Landscaping Unlimited was in Columbus, OH.

 

Not for Tressel....

 

I am 100% for the Vest, I was just lurking all day and didn't want anyone to get their hopes up to high.

Hope anyone didn't go see their plane land to welcome our landscapers back home.

 

Bed for me, see you guys tomorrow.

 

GBR!

 

Well The Sock don't know up from down today. The Sock thinkin' that The Ginger Assassin done playin' us like, well, puppets.

 

The Source sayin' that The Ginger Assassin may have pulled the wool over the eyes of some Husker $ugar Daddies, (some big'uns) since they was expectin' the Tressel/Frost thing to happen today and if it ain't, then it maybe won't happen at all.

 

 

The Sock done met his match with The Ginger Assassin. He got the Mother Ship locked down tight. That ship ain't sinkin'. The Source says the Mother Ship bein' watched close and The Ginger Assassin gots people on they best behavior, or else.

 

The Source says he don't know who, or exactly when, but he say "very, very soon."

 

Sorry The Sock ain't more helpful these days.

Why do I suddenly feel like Linus waiting for the Great Pumpkin to arrive bearing good tidings and gifts for all those who believeth in him?

 

Reading this post...well, I haven't been this disappointed in a mythical being since I found out that Santa Claus wasn't real. But then again, it is probably wrong of me to even mention that jolly old elf in the same sentence, for our Sock Puppets transcends ALL legendary characters both past and present.

 

Oh glorious Sock Puppet--I still believe in you. Your inherent goodness and majesty would never allow you to intentionally mislead us common folk, and I refuse to believe anyone who says otherwise. Jim Tressel WILL be our next coach, because that is what you have foretold.

 

Of course, if you DO turn out to be wrong, if someone other than Tressel is named...then I will become a broken shell of a fan, forever after filled with bitterness towards my fellow man and a complete mistrust of anything made of cotton. But no pressure or anything.

Scanning the internet today for any potential Jim Tressel sightings or updates, something caught my eye that I'd never noticed before and I did a complete double-take--no idea how I missed it all these years, but it was a grassy knoll moment, to be sure.

 

Needless to say, I am relieved that my faith in the.sock.puppet has not been in vain. I am now confidently looking forward to welcoming Coach Tressel to Lincoln whenever I happen to bump into him at Hy-Vee.

 

The Source sayin' that Tressel and Frost is a combo deal, like peas n' carrots.

 

If The Ginger Assassin gets it done as we hearin', he be an instant Husker Legend is what The Sock thinks. (Still hopin' he don't kill The Sock while he sleepin').

Oh honorable Sock Puppet, I know that you are far too modest to take credit, but I'm going to thank you anyway--I had just about given up hope. Others have already said it, and I agree with them: you are indeed my favorite mythical creature. Legends of your greatness will be told to Husker children far and wide--they shall forever more write their Christmas lists to you, if Tressel is named. Husker men want to BE you, Husker women want to be WITH you, and all that.

 

If your information turns out to be true, I hope that Tressel finds a spot on his coaching staff for you. In fact, if I had any editing skills at all, I would take the liberty of photoshopping you into your rightful place on Jim Tressel's sideline.

If the.sock.puppet is right about all of this, he will always and forever be my hero!

 

PLEASE BE RIGHT THE.SOCK.PUPPET!!!

He's already my hero. I went to work barefoot today for fear of offending one of his family members.

Here is what scares me .....

Socket puppet mentioned "someone else" ...

Not sure why but that gives me an uneasy feeling.

We all know there is a short list already from the names being tossed around.

Who knows the big 10 better than Tressel whether you like him or not...?

With the few names being dropped I believe recruiting, winning immediately and giving us the best shot at a championship is Tressel.

He is respected in the business and IMO could settle the waters quicker than anyone.

We lost 3 commits already and morale amongst the players is lower today than when we got curbed stomped by whisky.

No joke!!

 

I agree. I have the same uneasy feeling, and it would likely be worse if there was a hiring committee involved. But in this age of group think, the fact that Eichorst stated unequivocally that HE would be conducting his own search makes me think he's less likely to be influenced by outside opinion than would others.

 

Even so, it's been over 3 hours since the Sock Puppet has posted anything--I was kind of hoping for hourly updates. Looks like my tribute to Jim Henson wasn't enough to appease him.

Sock puppet, you have earned our trust. In the case of conflicting information, do you feel that one source has more credibility than another?

 

Also, I would like to state that, even before you came out with the rarest of gold nuggets (i.e., insider info that actually proved legitimate), I have always regarded the late great Jim Henson with the utmost esteem. Thank you.

Typical Iowa: a hard-fought loss to a better team, and their giddy fans celebrating yet another gutsy moral victory by Ferentz.

 

I really wouldn't have minded seeing Iowa win that one--just can not stand anything at all about Wisconsin. But that's what Husker football has come to: hoping that fricking IOWA can take care of the bully on the block for us. Now if that isn't depressing, I don't know what is.

Well, there's that.

8. Think significant changes are needed, but still believe in the program and an eventual return to national prominence.

 

Oklahoma, Texas, USC, Miami, Alabama, Michigan, Tennessee, LSU, Florida--they've all gone through lows as bad or worse than where we are right now. Just have to hire the right guy.

Pap will fail to make a key or timely adjustment every time the game is on the line

 

Beck isn't Greg Davis bad, but his "jack of all trades, master of none" offensive system is never going to return the program to national prominence.

 

Bo...just extremely disappointed. I was done with him after last week's rinse and repeat blowout loss, and today is just confirmation that a change is needed.

 

A loss to Minnesota. At Memorial. On Senior Day. Disgusting.

Lets all be Iowa fans and hope Bo gets fired after an embarrassing loss to Iowa and after losing. 3 straight. Need Iowa to win if we want a new regime. GO HAWKEYES!

To become an Iowa fan, you've got to set your expectations at 7 wins a year and your coach being a super nice guy. Things are bad here, but I don't know if they're quite THAT bad.

 

Slippery slope, though. Really, really tired of performances like last week and today.