Dansker

He's been under the tutelage of many great minds which is a huge attraction but people knock him for experience well, I believe every coach has to cut their teeth at some point. He's definitely not what Pelini was when LSU won the National Title. Had Oregon beat Ohio State, Frost would probably be HC right now.

Received a text earlier from the anonymous source: Fan infuriation has the suits on alert, especially with pressure/angst via fans, social media, national TV. Board very unhappy after much deliberation, concerns about losing donors and support from important people, risk of losing consecutive sellout streak. It's looking more and more like MR era will only survive one season at UNL. Somebody with ties to DONU has been contacted to see if interest is reciprocated.

We live in a "what have you done lately for me?," world. Do you think Nebraska is going to go out and hire a 55 year old coach who is on his way out? We already did that with Mike Riley. Even if Mark Richt somehow maintains to keep his job at UGA, he and his family have no interest in leaving Athens. Any speculation that ties him to a prospective opening at Nebraska is simply because he was born here. There is nothing to suggest that he would consider leaving his post for the Nebraska job. This would be a lateral move for he and his family. Even though I included his name in my post above its just an example. IMO, we have a much better chance going after a head coach that is on the rise.

Every hire is a gamble, sure. SE said himself he has seen programs do it the wrong way by spending a lot of money but we wanted to do it right (whatever that means.) Nebraska hasn't gone out and thrown money on the table like an Ohio State, Michigan, USC, Florida, Alabama, LSU, etc. So I've narrowed it down to three categories: The Unknown, The-Tried-And-True, and The Splash. The Unknown: Scott Frost, Turner Gill, any coordinator in CFB The Tried-And-True: Tom Herman, Justin Fuente, Kyle Whittingham, David Shaw, Bret Bielema, Mark Richt, Troy Calhoun, Paul Johnson, Pat Narduzzi The Splash: Chip Kelly, Jim Tressel Out of all those 3 categories, the likely candidates to pursue would be those that fall in the Tried-And-True category. These type of coaches outnumber the unknowns and splash hires. These are the type of head coaches that have turned a program around or simply have done things our last 2 head coaches haven't.

That's one key difference between Osborne players where its the standard. Back then, players had a special camaraderie. The unity council meant something. Players held each other accountable. The defense had their own huddle! The defensive line players actually held hands during the 90's! They were a true testament of brotherhood and it hasn't been seen since. These guys need to find themselves and form that brotherhood. We only see it slightly in a few players here and there.

Meh, thats not necessarily a tradition as much as it is a necessity. Especially in the midwest. You have to be able to run the football, just like you have to be able to throw the football. When I say that, it doesn't mean by the percentages. It means by effectiveness. Yep, just like Houston's offense. Power spread running plays then bang, play action pass for 20+ yards. Very effective. I miss sucking in a defense after jamming the football down their throats and then gutting them for a huge gain via the play action.

This staff has repeatedly said they aren't going to re-invent the wheel. I say they won't re-invent themselves. We hired a WCO coach that favors slinging the ball around regardless of weather conditions. Fans scream at the staff to run the ball more but you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Yeah, I hear you. You can have a 5 star tailback toting the rock but if he doesn't have an offensive line, forget about it. It's why you see programs like Wisconsin, Stanford have success with power running. They have stout linemen and they can plug in a 3 star running back and make him look good. If we're going to get rid of Riley, I guarantee you if the next coach hired is a run first guy, he will start recruiting run blocking OL guys and build from that. It's hard to find balanced OL who can both run block and pass block well.

I don't put much stock into recruiting rankings. Riley was known as a coach who could develop 2 or 3 star talent but if we judge from our current predicament, nothing could be further from the truth.

Yeah, Gangwish is a Husker through and through. He is one player when healthy, can be a wrecking machine. We've seen glimpses of that. I'm hoping he gets in the backfield a couple times on Connor Cook. You guys must be watching different games than I am. I don't see Gangwish doing much out there. He might not have huge stats but his presence and leadership on the field makes a difference. He's missed 4 games due to injury and maybe still plagued by it. I've seen him put QB's in quite a few hurries this year its just our secondary doesn't compliment our defensive pass rush.

Yeah, Gangwish is a Husker through and through. He is one player when healthy, can be a wrecking machine. We've seen glimpses of that. I'm hoping he gets in the backfield a couple times on Connor Cook.

Ouch. I wince when I hear people attacking the players, accusing them of lack of effort/caring. I'm a bit relieved to hear they don't lump all of us fans into that category. I'll always be a Husker fan, win or lose. It was cool seeing Gangwish jump into the stands and thank people after the game. Made me proud. Even teared up a little. Easy to stay a Husker fan when you see stuff like that. I feel so bad for the Seniors. They've been through so much. That's why I was clinging to the hope of a bowl game, some kind of reward. An upset over MSU or an undefeated Iowa would be a nice send off to guys like Sam and Gangwish. I don't like how you quoted me, lol. The writer is the one who talked about a coffin.

Yep and Notre Dame went out and got a coach at a mid-tier program. A coach who was on the rise and they seem to have decent success year in and year out now that he has his guys there. Nebraska can do the same. I don't think a guy like Frost is quite ready to take on a program like Nebraska. He needs a little more seasoning. A guy like Tom Herman is a coach on the rise, Kyle Whittingham, Justin Fuente, and others. Those are the kind of coaches Nebraska should have tried to acquire last December.

I agree with some of this. I do think there has to be some accountability here and we haven't seen it. I understand fans like you may not want to support the team blindly. A smart fan like yourself calls a spade a spade and recognizes the poor coaching like myself and guys not giving it there all. I'm just as disappointed as the next fan.

They're pleading with the fan base not to give up on them. That's all. I disagree with your post. Most of these players wouldn't be here if it weren't for the fans, the sellout streak, the tradition, all of it.

I agree. This isn't the season they wanted and neither the fans but it's not over. They've got to get up and fight harder than they ever have had all season because we have one top 10 opponent who is looking to stay unbeaten and make sure we stay home for Christmas. We know the players are capable of beating Michigan State so its on them to perform. Do that, and then we can focus on Rutgers. I'm going to be in Lincoln to support these players and that's it.

https://nebraska.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1820169 That's the message voiced by Sam Foltz. Players like Jack Gangwish is more prone to show visually asking the fans to stick with us by his embracing the fans yesterday, Jordan Westerkamp has said they want to keep fighting. The players want the fans not to give up on them. We did this in 2004, 2007, and sporadically throughout the Pelini era. They're nearly pleading with the fan base to "stick with them." There is, I think, a hidden meaning in all of this that says, "You can give up on this coaching staff but don't ever give up on us." The fact of the matter is these boys play for NEBRASKA. They know now more than ever that this program is bigger than any single one person. That we are arguably the greatest fans of all. The players have been through some dark times sure, but let's remember these players are not far from being removed from a coaching staff that was here for 7 years so right now they may be feeling vulnerable as if they only have each other and their fans. They love the fans. The players say they want to keep fighting and as a fan, I have to respect this but my message to them would be you've got to get your motor going early and for 4 quarters. Whatever it takes, play smart and have some fun out there and don't ever give up an inch to the opposition. I have seen first hand players giving up on plays, I have seen coaches stand emotionally frozen on the sidelines with no communication which is IMO, the single biggest issue with this team; failed communication. Individually, they know who they are and I am not going to put their name in here to embarrass them but, we can blame the coaches, we can blame the players, and the players can blame the coaches or vice versa, everyone shares the blame here. Fans are entitled to have expectations and we didn't expect this team to be 3-6 at this point of the season and historically could go down as one of the worst seasons in Husker lore. There is a silver lining in all of this -- There is a window of opportunity where all of this can change. Anything can happen. So, the message from the players is clear, they need us right now, they're hurt, they're tired and worn out. If we can give them 110% vocal support against Michigan State at home, wear red, be proud and loud, then maybe the players could push just a little more and ride that wave to the end. Right now all we can do is play the role of spoiler. We might be 3-6 but the idea of being able to go out and ruin the Spartan's season or even Iowa's should be enough to ignite the fire inside of a Cornhusker.

It is a lot of money to us but not to an athletic department. Nebraska does not have their arm tied behind their backs financially. The reality is that most AD's likely look at what's owed to the coach vs. ticket revenue, donations lost, etc. A lot of factors weigh into a decision and most of that is never even made public so the general fan is highly unaware. Let me just say, Eichorst doesn't have very many friends in the athletic department, most of us know that now. I may have had a "defeatist" attitude as far as getting someone else to coach at Nebraska not because we can't afford them but because of the fan expectations and the pressure to recruit here. It's not likely that we will be able to land a top coach i.e. Chip Kelly more than say a Tom Herman. A young coach on the rise is more willing to come here and recruit and coach. This is not another Bo Pelini but an actual coach who's ran a program. I like Tom Herman and I think if Nebraska does decide to go in a different direction then he's a name that has to go to the top of the list. Herman is also a guy whom I believe would do everything he can to lure Scott Frost away from Oregon. Nebraska is still considered a college football heavyweight. We're not limited to resources, we're not financially in trouble we can certainly out bid other top programs for coaching candidates the problem IS -- we have never done it. We have not gone out of our own way to pay for a top quality coach. The fear is, really, you never know how good a hire is going to turn out. Notre Dame is a prime example and has learned the hard way. They still owe Charlie Weis and so does Kansas. With the two combined, he nearly collects $20 million. Eichorst wanted to give Husker fans hope by hiring a polar opposite to Bo Pelini the problem is he failed to look at Riley's record and his age. He knew it would cost the university millions but our budget is so big, Nebraska can afford to pay someone millions for 5 years. We can afford the buyouts of other coaches as well.

Former players have connections to the university more than the normal fan thinks. A lot of them are voicing their opinions which not all have been made public. They are fans also, like you, like me, and there is a divide right now. Some are willing to give Riley time, others are wanting to hit the reset button and then there are those stuck in the middle who keep going with a "wait and see" approach and then seem to tread backwards. Losing tests us all, it tests our loyalty to the football team, the players, and even the coaches. So, I can't blame Phillip Dillard for wanting to hit "refresh" and start over. A lot of fans seem to feel this way too. Its becoming more and more evident that this is not just possible, its probable.

Heard from someone in the know earlier tonight take it for what its worth, a rumor. A person speaking on the condition of anonymity explained to me that the board is not angry with SE, they are indifferent and a few have voiced their displeasure directly after the Purdue game and it has been happening all year long and they have grown tired of it. The board knows the fans are hurting right now. A few of these members have privately scolded SE over a bad hire. There are some argumentative debates going on not if Riley should be let go but the timing of it. Boosters are willing to help hit the reset button and give SE a second chance only if SE has candidates lined up first and foremost. The board and SE are looking at what we'll owe Riley and his staff financially down the road. Resources are not a problem with the program and this is why the board is willing to give SE a second chance to find the right HC to turn the football program around. This person reiterated twice - should Nebraska's football team demonstrate a poor performance versus Michigan State on national television next Saturday, Riley may be asked to resign immediately after the MSU game to allow Eichorst time (3-4 weeks) to help put Nebraska at an advantage in the market. This person stated that the biggest concern is there have been threats from big donors and that donations are being lost by week by week along with potentially losing ticket revenue i.e. the sell out streak. It was never mentioned that Mike would be asked to terminate any assistants or if him and his staff would continue into 2016. This person clearly said multiple times that it is looking more like a clean slate method. That's all I have heard right now. It could be smoke and mirrors but, FWIW this person knew and heard from someone important before that Bo Pelini would get hired in 2008 2 months prior to Bill Callahan being fired.

No, Riley won't be asked to clean house. This option isn't even on the table.

There are some serious deliberations going on right now that is all I will say about that.

By far the worst loss to me was the 2012 B1G Championship. I was so confident we were going to finally win a championship. Who expected us to be down 42-10 at half time? This loss stung because I thought we'd finally break through and Bo would hoist the title and the program would be on the right track.

We're going to get curb stomped. We might just suffer the worst loss at home in our 126 year history. I see MSU hanging 50+ points maybe even 60 and I don't see us putting up more than 24 points on their defense.

I was there for that and the one thing that I remember most is people were walking out at halftime and late in the 3rd quarter. I had never seen that before in all my years.