Pelini on coaching & recruiting

[np_husker]

http://huskerextra.com/articles/2008/10/15...5c203701709.txt

 

Steven M. Sipple: Pelini digs in on recruiting

 

Bo Pelini was discussing his workload the other day. Not complaining, mind you, just discussing.

 

“My job this time of year, first and foremost, is obviously my football team and recruiting,” the first-year Nebraska football coach said.

 

Notice he didn’t separate the two areas; he placed them on the same plane. I find this significant because I’ve known coaches who placed in-season recruiting a distant second behind coaching, and it didn’t always work out so well.

 

By the way, Nebraska is 3-3 at the moment and in dire need of a win. Pelini and his staff are trying to figure out ways to beat Iowa State and eventually get to a bowl game, any bowl game. But this time of year, coaches also had better be willing to keep up on their recruiting duties.

 

“Especially in the first year of your program, when you’re building your program,” Pelini said. “There’s a lot for us to do. But you have to give recruiting its due attention because eventually you have to win. And that’s the best way to recruit — to win.”

 

In other words, coaches unwilling to consume plenty of Red Bull need not apply.

 

“You have to balance your time and make good use of your time,” Pelini added.

 

It’s a daunting challenge facing Pelini and company. A staff can put so much energy into the daily in-season grind — scrapping week to week for wins — that recruiting maybe gets pushed a little too far into the background. Some would suggest Frank Solich succumbed to such a scramble as pressure to save his job mounted late in his Nebraska tenure (1998-2003).

 

On the other hand, a staff can become known as recruiting wizards but slip up on too many fall Saturdays, a la Bill Callahan (2004-07).

 

This much is certain: This is a highly intense first season for Pelini and his assistants. The program’s in the midst of forming an identity while trying to eke out enough wins to become bowl eligible, and in the meantime attract enough big-time recruits to help push the program back into the nation’s elite.

 

“It’s a juggling act, no question about it,” said Nebraska recruiting coordinator Ted Gilmore.

 

Recruiting hyperbole largely defined the Callahan era. So it was somewhat confusing this past Saturday to see three walk-ons starting for Nebraska’s defense. It becomes even more confusing when you consider two of them are freshmen — true freshman Matt Holt and redshirt freshman Lance Thorell. Sure, they were thrust into duty in part because of injuries. But where is all that vaunted Callahan talent?

 

Anybody see any surefire All-Big 12 players wearing the scarlet and cream?

 

And how will Pelini turn out as a recruiter? Answer: We’ll know more come February. It’s hard to judge his first class — ranked by 30th by Rivals.com — because he didn’t take the job until last Dec. 2. Nebraska’s current class stands at 12 verbal commitments and is ranked 43rd by Rivals.

 

Nebraska hasn’t landed a verbal commitment since Aug. 22. But be patient. There’s a reason for the lag. The Huskers had a slew of recruits visiting campus during each of the five home games to open the season, including some highly coveted players who are sorting through schools as we speak. Among the most noteworthy are linebacker Keenan Graham of Las Vegas and defensive tackle Corey Adams of Scottsdale, Ariz., two of the better defenders in the West.

 

“Now we just have to get a few of them to put up their hands,” Gilmore said. “There are a couple who are close. We just have to get them in the boat.”

 

Bo’s obviously right-on when he says winning helps attract big-time players. The top five teams in the current Rivals.com rankings have a combined four losses this season: 1. Ohio State (25 commitments); 2. Southern California (16); 3. Louisiana State (18); 4. Texas (19); 5. Florida State (18).

 

Nebraska can always sell its tradition to recruits (although that’s getting harder), its strong academic support system, its friendly campus and city, but the Huskers’ best recruiting pitch is the gameday experience, Gilmore said.

 

The trend of schools emphasizing in-season recruiting visits began about five or six years ago, Gilmore said. That’s when verbal commitments started pouring in earlier and earlier on the calendar. Credit Callahan and company for emphasizing game weekends for recruiting visits.

 

“At a place like Nebraska, the best thing you have is gameday,” Gilmore said. “Why wouldn’t you want to showcase it? Get them here to see this atmosphere and see how passionate people are about their football.”

 

Pelini and his staff thrive on that passion. Pelini understands the weight of his responsibility. As for his workload, well, he takes his kids to school in the morning. But does he make it home in time for the 10 o’clock news?

 

“If I got home by 10, I’d be thrilled,” he said. “There’s so much to do. We have so far to go.”

 

No doubt. Please pass the Red Bull.

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA]

I like Gilmore's "get them in the boat" fishing reference.

[holvy83]

"Anybody see any surefire All-Big 12 players wearing the scarlet and cream?"

 

-Not that this is hugely important since it takes a "team" to win, but I can't say if I see any of these around this year with the other talent in the Big 12.