Phil the Red

Its a scam...

Told ya he'd be back! He shows no signs of slowing down. He's never home, he's always working or at the gym. The guy has years left in him, and an undying passion for Husker football and the doors it opens for him to reach people.

I see Coach Brown still leaving for work everyday. He shows no signs at all of slowing down. He still works out like a fiend everyday, and is probably in better shape than 90% of us, for what it is worth.

After seeing Darin in the presser, he reminds me a little of Bo. He seems to have the same brutally honest, direct approach, and you can sense a burning passion under the surface that is eerily reminiscent of a Pelini. I wasn't too sure at first, but now I can see this becoming a very successful hire. Time to get on board, GO BIG RED BASEBALL!

You are correct. I was merely questioning Knapp's use of constitutional rights when referring to free speech and Ron Brown's actions. I then brought up separation of church and state to prove my point that religion cannot enter the governed public domain (ala public school). Under the United States Constitution, the treatment of religion by the government is broken into two clauses: the establishment clause and the free exercise clause. Both are discussed in regard to whether certain state actions would amount to an impermissible government establishment of religion. Such as religion (and anything pertaining to it) in public schools. So your whole angst against Ron Brown is not that he's "pushing his religion" on you, it's that he gives speeches in public schools in which he mentions God. Sorry, but this is not a government endorsement of religion, and there is nothing wrong with Coach Brown's mentioning his faith in such a speech. In order for Brown to be in the wrong you'd have to show that he was actively proselytizing to an unwilling audience. When you have that evidence, as in direct quotes where Brown was trying to convert or suborn his audience, we can talk. Until then, you're failing under the First Amendment, which does not prohibit any and all conversations of God or faith or religion in a government building, or in any particular government-sponsored arena. That dollar bill in your pocket says "In God We Trust." Your congresspersons open their sessions with prayer. These are just some examples submarining your point. You may question all you like. But it's still constitutionally protected. Out of curiosity, did you read the entire Wikipedia page from which you pulled the bold lines, or just the part that you felt supported your point? Knapplc, Nicely done sir!

I'd be interested in hearing the story of when Coach Brown cornered you and thrust his beliefs on you. Do tell. Never claimed that he did. Have you ever heard the guy talk? I'm sure you have. He usually address the drug-free pledge kids at the Spring Game and he brings religion into everything. Does everyone need God to stay drug-free? Absolutely not. Ron would have you believe otherwise. Like mmmtodd said, the ACLU told him to back off when he is in schools. He obviously crossed the line. I'm not saying it's wrong or right, just saying it bothers me. Just because it's what he believes doesn't make it right/fact. I figure I'll be in the minority here since NE is God's country, but I'm sticking to my guns on this one. Sorry, I just get a chuckle out of the raised hackles over someone exercising their constitutionally protected rights. Coach Brown's speeches aren't some "gotcha" time where he appears under false pretenses. He's very up front about his subject matter, and he always has been. If you're listening to him speak and you find his material objectionable, that's entirely on you. Last September I saw Anthony Bourdain speak in Omaha. Anthony is a TV chef and travel show personality, but during his show he 1) used potty-mouth words and 2) spoke extensively about drug use. Anyone in attendance there knew (or should have known) that Anthony does this in every speech he gives. Every single one. Would you really have sympathy for me if I'd have been offended by his swearing and drug references? I know I wouldn't. Constitutionally protected rights? I hope you're kidding. Ever heard of separation of church and state? You can't go into a public school and preach your faith or give a speech with religious undertones. Let's flip the script here and pretend Ron Brown was a Muslim and he was appearing in public schools talking about how Islam was the way to go and how much it meant to his life. Would people be OK with this? I highly doubt it, but Christianity is the domination religion in America so it makes what he does OK, right? Wrong. I'm assuming you chose to go see Anthony Bourdain. Until enough parents complained and the ACLU stepped in, the students did not have a choice, in the sense that they were informed that they could attend or not, whether or not to listen to what Ron Brown had to say. It was an assembly that everyone in the school attended. Now that it's no longer mandatory, in the sense that you are informed that you can choose not to attend, I have no issue with it. It's like a public school official leading the school in a scheduled prayer. Notice that I said scheduled, because that is setting time aside for one faith. That is wrong and a violation of separation of church and state. However, a voluntary prayer circle is OK because you are not forcing those of another faith to partake. His speeches were "optional," but what grade-schooler do you know that would stand up and say they do not want to be indoctrinated by him? They don't know that they can refuse on grounds that their beliefs differ. It took some parents with the courage to stand up and defend the rights of their children to a separation of church and state before anything changed. He was using his position as a Husker football coach as a means to an end. Children idolize people like him and he's using that to his advantage. If he was just some random pastor wanting to do something similar, do you think it would fly? You are misinterpreting the Constitutional doctrine of separation of Church and State. The Constitution forbids a government body sanctioning and solely promoting a certain religion as a requirement to avoid retribution. That doesn't mean that the discussion of religion in and of itself, even a specific religion, is inherently prohibited. My wife is a high school teacher in a pretty diverse school, and there are really no truly "taboo" subjects in the classroom, including religious beliefs. Ron Brown's speeches in schools have always been clearly defined to the students and their parents, and have ALWAYS BEEN OPTIONAL. Attending his speeches is no different than attending the afternoon math club, or Young Democrats, or any other optional event that takes place at school. I happen to strongly oppose the religion of math, and I'm sure there are things discussed in various clubs and meetings inside schools that I would not agree with, but I'm sure not going to raise a stink about it, and I'm sure not going to sue the school or any of the presenters of that material. My kids and I simply choose not to attend those events and listen to those viewpoints. That doesn't meant they should be banned from being presented in a school setting. The world is full of people using their status to their advantage in promoting far more nefarious things than Ron Brown. Planned Parenthood is a regular visitor to our public schools. I for one am glad there is someone like Ron Brown counteracting all of the negative influences being foisted upon our children.

I'd be interested in hearing the story of when Coach Brown cornered you and thrust his beliefs on you. Do tell. Never claimed that he did. Have you ever heard the guy talk? I'm sure you have. He usually address the drug-free pledge kids at the Spring Game and he brings religion into everything. Does everyone need God to stay drug-free? Absolutely not. Ron would have you believe otherwise. Like mmmtodd said, the ACLU told him to back off when he is in schools. He obviously crossed the line. I'm not saying it's wrong or right, just saying it bothers me. Just because it's what he believes doesn't make it right/fact. I figure I'll be in the minority here since NE is God's country, but I'm sticking to my guns on this one. Funny how we haven't heard much from the ACLU regarding this matter lately. It was really simple, Ron just pointed out that his talks were purely optional, and he always makes clear what is going to be talked about. The whole contention that Ron was "forcing" his views on poor unsuspecting students was the gist of the entire argument that was put forth by the ACLU. Once it was realized that these speeches were purely optional, free speech rights trumped any argument that the ACLU could put forth. How is that obviously crossing the line? Because the out of touch ACLU says so?

Actually, Bo is quite religious too, a devout Catholic. What it boils down to is integrity. Ron Brown and Bo Pelini (despite some of the talk on here lately) have it at the core of their being. That is getting more and more rare in today's world, especially big-time athletics. I would rather have the "little much...proclaiming your faith" than the slimy, underhanded way many coaches conduct themselves these days. We may find out in the end that the many perceived gaffes and mishandling of the coaching changes were actually done out of integrity, in protecting the outgoing coaches and their families by seeing to it that they get the best possible outcome from a bad situation (losing their job.) That is the type of thing that makes me proud to be from Nebraska, and proud of the Huskers. I don't think there is one shred of evidence to support the idea that Ron Brown's "ramrod stubbornness on spreading his message" has negatively impacted the team or anyone associated in any way. I would dare say it has actually helped tremendously in many ways. Listen to Aaron Green (among others) talk about it a little bit... I totally agree with mmmtodd. It's not the fact that Ron is religious (Bo is as well and I could care less), it's his insistence on pushing his faith on others. Sort of a 'holier than thou if you don't believe what I believe' attitude. Considering the fact that I am not religious at all, it really rubs me the wrong way. However, I can see how it is beneficial to recruiting because so many recruits are very religious. Whatever works, I guess. Fair enough. For what it is worth, my personal religious views are more in line with Bo's (Catholic) than Ron's. I personally do not choose to wear my religion on my sleeve, but that does not mean that I find Ron Brown offensive. What I do find offensive is the vulgar approach too many people use in their everyday interaction. Call me naive, but I think we can live without the very few people who would shun our program because they were so "offended" by Ron Brown talking about religion, in comparison to the ones who came on board because of it.

Actually, Bo is quite religious too, a devout Catholic. What it boils down to is integrity. Ron Brown and Bo Pelini (despite some of the talk on here lately) have it at the core of their being. That is getting more and more rare in today's world, especially big-time athletics. I would rather have the "little much...proclaiming your faith" than the slimy, underhanded way many coaches conduct themselves these days. We may find out in the end that the many perceived gaffes and mishandling of the coaching changes were actually done out of integrity, in protecting the outgoing coaches and their families by seeing to it that they get the best possible outcome from a bad situation (losing their job.) That is the type of thing that makes me proud to be from Nebraska, and proud of the Huskers. I don't think there is one shred of evidence to support the idea that Ron Brown's "ramrod stubbornness on spreading his message" has negatively impacted the team or anyone associated in any way. I would dare say it has actually helped tremendously in many ways. Listen to Aaron Green (among others) talk about it a little bit...

I couldn't agree more. If you are not going to go out and get the best in the business, why not do what it takes to get some of the hottest up and coming young coaches to come on board and build towards the future? We had one of the best ready and willing, and he just so happens to be a local boy, alumnus, and National Championship winning quarterback. This feels like we are settling for more of the same thing. I do trust Bo, and if this is wildly successful I will gladly eat my words. It just seems like Bo is reluctant to go outside of his little circle of Ohio connections... I'm with you. Instead of using resources to get the absolute best available options, we are instead settling for coaches. Ross Els - Never coached above Ohio/NMSU in 20 years Tim Beck - Never called plays in college John Garrison - Was an GA/Intern before this Corey Raymond - Like the hire, have heard good things about him But c'mon here, this is the best we can do? I know someone will say "BUT GIVE THEM A CHANCE FIRST". We are freakin' Nebraska. We should be spending the cash to get already known top flight coaches or getting the young hot-shot up and coming coaches. We SHOULD NOT be settling for a bunch of guys we hope work out. Someone tell me what is stopping Nebraska from going down to TCU, offering Justin Fuente the full OC position, and paying him the nearly $400k a year that Shawn Watson was earning? You can go down a long list more of high quality guys on other staffs who would love the opportunity to move up the coaching ladder and/or get a hefty pay raise. I really thought Bo was gonna figure this out when he decided to cut some dead weight from this staff, and I was strongly encouraged. Instead, it looks like he will make more lackluster hires to replace the under-performing former staff. Just absolutely frustrating. Nice to know someone feels the same way I do. And to think, I got called "butthurt" the other day bc I was upset about us hiring this Ross Els guy. And you said it man, we are freakin' Nebraska. Go out and get the best.

Well it looks like the rumors about Ron Brown retiring were false. From what I've seen, he hasn't slowed down a bit, the guy is hardly ever home! He works out daily and looks like a guy half his age. I think this is good news for the team, as he adds an element that helps define what makes Nebraska such a special place, and players (as well as recruits and their families) recognize that.

No clue, but the timing would be strange if true considering Brown is the Special Guest at a Nebraska Alumni event in March. Northeast Kansans 4 Nebraska I saw that and had the same thought initially, though I imagine he would still be a guest speaker draw throughout the state for the rest of his life - both because of his strong history with the program and his ability to captivate and motive a crowd with his talks. Dude makes me want to go tackle somebody whenever I hear him speak. So I don't think that scheduled event necessarily means he's staying on staff, though I hope it does. I'm inclined to agree with bournehusker here. Perhaps due to the rumored re-shuffling of the staff, maybe he's moved into a new office? It wouldn't surprise me if Brown is taking over the Recruiting Coordinator duties, therefore moving into Gilmore's old office? I have no clue on this but is Gilmore's office near the Compliance office? Pretty sure RC's have to keep in touch regularly with compliance staff, no? I hope you're right. Just throwing this out there, but would there be need to change offices if you are a recruiting coordinator? Maybe so, but I just can't think of why that added duty would necessitate a different office (assuming his office really is cleared out, which is just a rumor at this point). Anyhow, I hope he's still on the staff. Ron Brown is my neighbor, and he shows no signs of slowing down that I can see. He looked good and healthy at Prairie Life last night...