All Hail Herbie

8 minutes ago, Born N Bled Red said:

 

At this point All Hail Herby is just trolling. He's not engaging in discussion and he repeats the same thing over and over across multiple threads. You probably won't even get a response. If he's not careful, he'll probably earn a short vacation from the board. 

 

I had a terrific holiday season and I hope you and your family did as well.

All posts today are thoughtful and aimed at generating dialogue, not conflict.

That said, I get the message with the rule citation as it is the signal flare.  Ultimately, it has been the goal of many here to simply censor speech and I am very confident you will get your wish.  Not being a millennial, and having witnessed a time when totalitarian regimes censored speech, I do not fully appreciate the virtues of this neo-totalitarianism.  It strikes me as odd.  

I wish you and this fanbase all the best.  Many happy returns.

4 minutes ago, HANC said:

You have made it well known in a couple different threads that Trev will make the "right" decision in November.  Your feelings about SF are obvious.  You mentioned Aranda in another thread.  Isn't Aranda this year's SF?   Both guys had impressive assistant coaching resumes/gigs, long coaching trees, and turned around a losing program.  Yes, Aranda in Big 12, but some on HB will suggest the Big 12 is not very strong the upper part of AAC is fairly strong.

 

If we toss $$ at Aranda in November, wouldn't that be somewhat of a "repeat".  His HC resume isn't any better than SF was at UCF.  What is the difference, other than it isn't SF, because you seem so sure Aranda is the answer if you want to throw kitchen sink his way.

Coach Aranda has had defensive success at Wisconsin, LSU, and Baylor (Power 5 programs all).  I agree that his Head Coaching resume is limited (Big XII Champions), but his system has worked in 3 different Power 5 leagues.  Conversely, our esteemed coach was merely an understudy of Chip Kelly at Oregon where their program was already at a zenith.  Given the results of other successful AAC coaches at Power 5 schools, I am becoming convinced that their time in that league does not translate well.

Bottom line, whether the selection is Coach Aranda, Coach Freeze or other, let's just make certain we go with a proven Power 5 winner.  There are no guarantees in this business except to say that standing pat will not improve our situation.  

I reiterate, money has corrupted the game to the point that it is becoming unrecognizable.  Conference realignment where regional rivalries are tossed in favor of odd unions such as Missouri / South Carolina and Kansas / West Virginia (money).  Coaches that leave elite schools at the drop of the hat (money).  Players that either transfer to a new school or enroll early (Ewers) (NIL money).  Playoff participants largely coming from a single league each year based on a networks profitability (money).

Say what you will about the good old days and the antiquated regional system; loaner cars, money handshakes, etc., there was an understanding that this behavior was frowned upon publicly and as a result, it was kept quiet.  Amateurism still maintained some level of virtue.  Today, money is so brazenly and openly behind every decision in the game.  The fig leaf has been removed for all time...

32 minutes ago, BigRedBuster said:

This is what we did with Frost.

No doubt we paid for Coach Frost, but the reality is that it was a marriage of expediency.

He fit in so many ways (professionally, culturally, and personally) that we all knew his tenure would bring about a return of the program.  There was no need to look elsewhere for a new hire as this was going to be the perfect union. 

Now that we know his tenure will not revive the program, we need to get serious about putting real money on the table for a proven commodity in this business, and it is a business.  Watching USC and LSU assert their positions aggressively with coaches that were seemingly settled in elite jobs illustrates the lengths to which we need to go.  

No more experiment or learn on the job candidates.  Let's go get "the guy" that will finally return us to the elite of this game.  

Wandale made the right decision...

And come November, I trust that Trev will make the right decision on our head coach's fate as well...

14 minutes ago, runningblind said:

I am really not sure he'd even consider Nebraska unless we doubled his pay.

Correct.  This hire in November should be about getting the right candidate this time.  Not the expedient one or the value one.  

If Nebraska wishes to return to the group of elite programs in the game, it is time they make the decision to pay for it.  

To build a nine figure football facility and then seek a value hire makes little sense.  Let's get it right this time...

Please forward this list to Coach Aranda at Baylor.  Need to get him acquainted with some of his new roster come November!

35 minutes ago, Red Five said:

 

CBS and Turner share basketball rights.

True.  And that tournament functions very well.  

1 hour ago, Red Five said:

 

This is a big hangup of the expansion to 12.  B1G and Pac want the playoff games to go to bid with a split package between TV networks.

I completely agree with this approach.  Now that we have a network that not only shapes the playoff participation process (based on its' own interests), but also tampers with league membership to that same end (see UT and OU to SEC), it would be wise to eliminate exclusive coverage rights for this event.

I know CBS maintains exclusive rights to the NCAA tournament, but last time I checked, CBS does not shape the composition of the tournament field.

An expanded team playoff that is exclusively owned and run by ESPN.  Great idea...for those that own Disney stock.

Half of the teams will be from the SEC and you can forget about any Cinderella stories.  Non-Power 5 teams do not enhance the bottom line for those working in Bristol.  Cincinnati, even at 12-0, would have been excluded this year absent the victory over Notre Dame.

Forgive me, but watching Alabama win the Championship by playing the likes of Ole Miss, Auburn, LSU, and Georgia a second time in a season does not sound entertaining.  Did we finally put to rest the notion that the SEC is the best conference in the country?  5-6 bowl record as a league.  

Rather than focusing on an expanded playoff, can we first begin by focusing on eliminating exclusivity for the playoff coverage?  This might actually lead to a better, and more balanced, playoff field.  

Incredible that some believe that a 5th consecutive losing season will justify a sixth losing season.

And I thought John Gotti was the "Teflon Don".  

Since so many are attached to the concept of Coach Frost, and he is unable to have a winning season, could we pay him $5 million annually to be an "honorary" coach?  He could wear the gear, the headset, and walk the sidelines, but only appear to be coaching, much like a mascot.  Kids could have their pictures taken with the honorary coach and he could participate in the halftime show for home games.  

Congratulations to Wandale and UK on their victory over Iowa today.  For those that watched, Wandale's big reception late in the game was the difference as UK overcame a late deficit to win.  Good to see that one team was able to utilize his skills properly.

Separately, I am watching one of our top head coaching prospects guide Baylor in the Sugar Bowl this evening.  November will be here before you know it....

For all the great comments posted, you can distill all of the problems down to one element...money.

Competition has been corrupted by it at the collegiate level.  The game is nothing more than a semi-pro league for aspiring NFL talent.  

It explains why a sport such as Women's College Volleyball is so enjoyable to watch.  Team and competition remain the core elements.

1 hour ago, Guy Chamberlin said:

 

Nebraska averaged 450 yards a game. Third in the Big 10 behind Ohio State and Michigan, and 23rd in the country. 

 

Adrian Martinez had the seventh best Yards Per Attempt in the nation, typically a sign that there were plenty of plays where he had time to hit downfield receivers. 

 

You can't do that if the offensive line is the worst you can remember.

 

But what CAN happen is that all phases of the game --- including the QB, the OL, and the playcaller -- get the yips under pressure and/or fail to counter a smart Defensive Coordinator.

 

That's how a team that actually does have the talent to succeed can fail to win games. The Husker stats go south when it comes to turnover margin, red zone conversion, and special teams play. Unfortunately Adrian Martinez played into the team's weakness -- they're mentally too fragile and familiar with losing -- and although the late meltdowns weren't all his fault, he was still the face of a team that couldn't get out of its own way. 

 

That's why the heat is on head coach Scott Frost. As it should be. 

I am anxious to see how Martinez performs while at K-State.  I tend to think that a coach such as Kliemann will put him in position to succeed and as a result, K-State will have a terrific 2022 season.  

It would really be something if 2022 witnessed the Big XII crown Adrian Martinez as first team all conference and similarly watch the SEC crown Wandale Robinson as first team all conference.  It would prove that our former offensive staff could recruit (at their peak), but could not develop or utilize that talent.  Of course, after 4 years of losing, we are now reduced to recruiting offensive players based on OC Whipple's experience at Pitt.  For recruits, give Kenny a call!

4 minutes ago, ActualCornHusker said:

 

I agree, Frost is not at this time on the same level as one of the best coaches that has ever led any sport team in John Cook. And yet, people will talk out both sides of their mouth by

1) insisting that if our football coach is not a championship level coach RIGHT NOW we should can him and move on

2) also insisting that no high level coach or player would ever logically come to a place like Nebraska

 

I'm reminded why I didn't look at this message board for a couple years LOL

Missing the point.  No expectation of any championships, league or otherwise, in the near or perhaps distant future.  Progress is the name of the game here...

My point was aimed at our propensity to lose repeatedly in one score football games.  You cannot deny that inability to manage the pace and flow of these games is responsible to a large degree in losing close so often.  We simply lack the mettle when the game pressure is at its' zenith to produce results. 

The Coach is responsible for that aspect and you could see that on display on Saturday night.  Texas had not lost in that building in 2 years, and had only a single loss all season coming in.  TX too has a terrific coach so it was a true match of wits.  Cook managed the game pressure and the emotion well, and led a very young team to a terrific win.

Repeated collapses late in games is a failure of the coach as he has allowed the game to get away from his team.  It is time for this coach to detach from the tactical elements once and for all and focus on the in-game strategy.  He simply is too buried in game details to see the game trends, let alone how to shape them.

1 hour ago, ActualCornHusker said:

 

There are gaps to fill, but hypothetically if we got zero new players from the portal from what we already have committed, I'd still feel that this roster should win 7-8 games next year. The issue the last couple years has been more mental than physical.

Without question, the mental part of the game is the biggest deficiency right now.  You are correct on that point.

Speaking of great mentality and approach to the game, let me say that I watched the Nebraska vs. Texas women's volleyball match over the weekend.  Coach Cook and the team went into the lion's den in Austin and really demonstrated grit and resilience.  Watching how Coach Cook controlled the action not only through timeouts, but also through challenges was a great example of the mental part of the game on display.  Each time Texas was prepared to go on a run, Coach stepped in to slow the tidal wave and get his team re-trenched.  Congrats to the ladies on a Final Four appearance!

Let's just face it, we do not have that level of coaching talent in the football program right now...

9 minutes ago, Husker03 said:

When your program sucks as bad as ours does right now, change is never a bad thing. Not sure what exactly you are clamoring for.  If Frost does nothing and just rolls out again next year with Adrian at the helm and the exact same staff, he gets lambasted for the definition of insanity. He upends the turnip truck, he gets lambasted for all of the change. Change is the key to improvement when you area staring up from the bottom. 

You are right, he has no choice at this stage as we are the bottom of the league.  My point is that it may be a bridge too far to expect much in the way of progress given all of the upheaval this offseason.  This is the scope of change I would anticipate in Year 1, not Year 5.  

We then will get to do it all over again in 2022...

A number of fans seem to believe that success at this level is a matter of being fortuitous when in point of fact it is not.  Talent evaluation, personnel development, S&C, offensive / defensive philosophy, play calling, etc. are not a matter of the stars simply aligning.

Hope is appealing, but it is not a plan.  Too much is now riding on our ability to find tens of players in the transfer portal for a one season bonanza with the new offensive coaches.  While it would be great if this worked out, the odds point in a different direction...  

This new transfer roster will have at most 8 months to stitch this together before game action in September.  In 2021, with a completely stable roster and staff, we had the same amount of time to prepare for Big Ten titan Illinois, and see the results...

12 minutes ago, 84HuskerLaw said:

He does need to let them do their jobs.  Either they need the autonomy to run the offense or we don’t need to pay millions for O staff to serve as trainers and message conduits.  
 

We don’t know how much Frost’s staff actually actually controls.  But, after 4 years of struggles with previous assistants, we need change for the better.   It’s too bad we waited 4 losing seasons to make changes.  If we get more of the same, we will know where the issues lie. 
 

Special teams the same.  The defense is far from perfect but seem much more organized and did about as much as could be hoped for by comparison anyway.  

Right on all counts.  Coach waited 4 years because he knew (and I believe knows) that his system works.  It is for this reason that I am hesitant to predict any future success based on these hires.  If the course remains unchanged; philosophy, scheme selection, personnel choice, play selection / calling and on-field tactics, then this will be a wonderful display of theater and nothing more.

Whether these candidates are historically successful or not is immaterial.  Future success is dictated by several factors, including history, but it also relies on role.  If our new HC remains entrenched in the daily tactical decisions for the offense and chooses not to delegate most of the responsibility to these coaches, than their hire is essentially moot.

In other words, these coaches may turn out to be the most expensive analysts / consultants in the FBS next season.

He needs to delegate...

A few other great ideas for roles

Sam Keller (NIL Coordinator)

Beau Davis (Passing Game Coordinator) - May need an Interception specialist as well if we make this hire.

Jammal Lord (Running Game Coordinator)

Craig Sundberg (Historical Husker Football Coordinator)

We should offer our appreciation to Adrian for his terrific work ethic, his leadership and his commitment to the program these past 4 years.  He has been a wonderful ambassador for the University and the football program.  We wish him well with his future endeavors and he is always welcome to come back.

With his departure as well as the departure of 2 running backs and 4 offensive assistants in the past two weeks, is this what optimists would describe as "addition by subtraction"?  If we similarly see our starting center depart as well, is that another encouraging sign that major success is on the 2022 horizon?

From the cheap seats, it looks to me like an exodus, not a revival.

1 minute ago, Decoy73 said:

Just so we’re all on the same page and no feelings get hurt.  

As it turns out Decoy, I am evidently the only one getting entertainment value out of the interactions on this board.  I thought that was the whole purpose of engagement here.  

Apparently, the board rules are permissive when it comes to overt or direct insults of someone's thoughts, but not permissive of passive needling.  Odd indeed.  To be clear, use of the word "odd" in no way casts an aspersion upon those promulgating or enforcing the rules, nor does it any way defame one or multiple members of this group.  I got that statement from Twitter's attorneys (with sarcasm as previously defined).

We need the United Nations or a group of attorneys to moderate this going forward.    

For purposes of "conversational" advancement, a few definitions are in order today.  To be clear, Webster's is not historically known as a "defamatory" source of information.  

sarcasm definition - Sarcasm is the caustic use of irony, in which words are used to communicate the opposite of their surface meaning, in a humorous way

self deprecating definition - modest about or critical of oneself, especially humorously so.

straight shooter definition - an honest and forthright person

23 minutes ago, Hedley Lamarr said:

What do you have against Fruit Cake? 

It is a top 25 gig. 

Thanks Hedley.  I thought fruitcake was a time-honored holiday tradition.