knapplc Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 TO is really pleased with the hire and he thinks Erstad is the ideal choice. And now the presentation of the Hat. Quote Link to comment
knapplc Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 I forget how much hair Erstad has lost over the years. Quote Link to comment
knapplc Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Erstad is humbled and honored. It's a little faster than he expected to get a head coaching gig, but sometimes it's the right place and time. Quote Link to comment
knapplc Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Erstad says the kids get it, the structure is in place. They know what it takes, and they'll get it done. Erstad still taking classes to earn his degree. Quote Link to comment
knapplc Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Erstad agrees that he's still not ready for this job from a recruiting standpoint and coaching standpoint, but he's going to lean on his staff to help out. Press questions now... Quote Link to comment
knapplc Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Erstad doesn't think it'll take long to turn the team around. Have a lot of talented young pitchers and a good class coming in. It's just a matter of getting the guys to play hard and learn how to win, and he's going to teach them how to win. Quote Link to comment
knapplc Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 The wife, apparently, said "Fine, whatever!" when Darrin asked her if he should take the job. (laughter from the press) Quote Link to comment
knapplc Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Wife told him, the effect you could have on these kids is amazing. Look at how many people Coach Osborne affected in his life, and you would be in that position, too. Erstad felt that was pretty powerful. His kids love the players and they're there all the time, so they'll be around and it won't be a hardship for him with the time he has to dedicate to the job. Quote Link to comment
VA Husker Fan Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 The guy is obviously a good baseball coach...and knows Nebraska but as one friend said...this on the surface would be like hiring Garrison to replace Bo Pelini if he left. Umm, kind of. But while Garrison was an asst HS coach for 3 years between playing and coaching at NU, Erstad played 14 years in the majors. That's a pretty big difference. Playing time doesn't necessarily equate into coaching experience, but there have been major leaguers (Pete Rose, Frank Robinson to name a couple) who go straight from playing to managing an MLB team, or at least a fairly high minor league team. Granted, most start lower in the minors or are asst coaches first. Quote Link to comment
knapplc Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Erstad says he didn't have an inkling about becoming the head coach when he moved back here. He didn't even have the offer from Anderson before he moved here. Ledbetter will stay in Operations, but the other two positions will be filled by new guys. Former coaches not retained. The first guy in has to be a stud recruiter. Erstad will have to lean on him a lot. Second guy has to be an incredible pitching coach. Everyone has to have a lot of fire. Quote Link to comment
knapplc Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Erstad says once you get a recruit on campus they fall in love with the facilities. They're pretty good. Recruiting will be a challenge in the Big Ten, but they're just going to have to not miss. Do good talent evaluations and get it right the first time. Quote Link to comment
knapplc Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 A lot of what he's saying is fluff. I'm sure there'll be good articles from LJS and OWH about this in a few hours, so I'm going to sign off. Quote Link to comment
knapplc Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 One interesting tidbit - Erstad said one of the first people he called was Mike Anderson, who was very supportive. Anderson offered his support and help in getting going. Anderson is a stand-up guy. Results on the field may not have been there, but I've never heard anything that makes me think Mike Anderson isn't a heck of a man. I've met him several times, and each time I was struck by how down-to-earth and genuine he seemed. Bubba will be contacted and Erstad will stay in touch, but he'll be treated like any other recruit. Quote Link to comment
Hercules Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Wow, Erstad as head coach... Aside from the Big 10 move, this might be Osborne's most brilliant move as athletic director, or his most stupid. Quote Link to comment
knapplc Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 Erstad is done talking, and now they're doing family pictures. Dr. Tom is there, and it looks like mom, dad, the kids and Grandpa. Cute pictures. Quote Link to comment
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