Expectations for the Head Coach at Nebraska

[EZ-E]

He needs to love Nebraska more than his wife (preferably born and raised in Nebraska, perhaps conceived in either the capital building or near chimney rock), be a tough coach who inspires Heisman-worthy performances with a mere glare, and simultaneously a softhearted Christian man who cries during the national anthem. He must never blame himself as a cop-out after losses but must somehow also take full responsibility for every loss. Actually, that last sentence is irrelevant because he must never lose games without proving himself un-worthy to be the coach at Nebraska.

 

He must be passionate and excited all the time, but never say anything that would offend anyone. He must make every single high school football player want to play at Nebraska, even if they're the son of the dean of the University of Alabama. He must work his players into top performing shape while giving them puppies and ice cream to boost their morale.

 

Also he should be attractive and a Republican and have a name that is easy to pronounce and can be made into an inspiring slogan.

 

I actually think we may have the job description right here.

[ADS]

no, you can't hire your buddies who are coaching high school ball!

 

Which coaches were hired out of HS football????

Rich Fisher.

[EZ-E]

no, you can't hire your buddies who are coaching high school ball!

 

Which coaches were hired out of HS football????

Rich Fisher.

 

I was waiting for him to answer!!! Hahaha. Then proceed to make sure he understood that Fisher wasn't a man with a blank resume.

[Hercules]

It's easy to say that 9 wins is the benchmark. It always has been at Nebraska. But success at Nebraska shouldn't be measured simply in wins and losses. There are expectations that the fans have that everyone can see plain as day on any given Saturday.

 

1. Nebraska should always be tough, mentally and physically.

2. Nebraska should always be in excellent physical condition.

3. Nebraska should play hard every single Saturday, regardless of the opponent.

4. Even when Nebraska loses, they should be competitive against any opponent, with the rare exception of being blown out once every few years (not two-three times a season).

5. The coaching staff should be able to make adjustments, over the course of a game and over the course of a season (if you didn't notice, Wisconsin beat us again yesterday).

 

Right now, from my point of view, our coaching staff not only lacks the ability to develop players and teach basic football concepts, but they lack basic strategic intelligence. Yesterday, not only did they get worked over by a staff without a head coach, but they made boneheaded in-game mistakes, like letting 15 seconds tick off at the end of the first half without calling a timeout. That's inexcusable, to make a mistake that even 99% of people just playing a football video game wouldn't even make. The last time our staff out-coached an evenly matched opponent was probably Missouri 2010.

 

Ultimately, our most basic expectation is that the staff be on the right track. We want to see players getting better every week, and we want to see the program actually improving. We want to see that the staff has a vision for where they want to be and that they know how to get there. Right now, they're lacking one or both of those things, which makes it hard to conclude that changes aren't necessary.

 

(this isn't a full list of expectations for the program/coaching staff... it's a list of the expectations we're failing to meet right now).

[krc1995]

Farmer. Chews on straw and hotwires tractors. Doesn't rely on pu&&y weatherman forecasts, since he can sniff the air and tell you about next week's storm. Drinks at least six beers a night. And not the trendy microbrew sh#t, but Natty Light like a real man.

 

Maybe Herbie can take it in the interim. He's been groomed for many decades. And not that inflatable douche either. The real Herbs. Wears overalls, knows what Windsor is, has a gin blossom and a ruddy and porous completion, has an ice scrapper under his front seat. You know, like a real Nebraskan.

[Ratt Mhule]

no, you can't hire your buddies who are coaching high school ball!

 

Which coaches were hired out of HS football????

Rich Fisher.

 

I was waiting for him to answer!!! Hahaha. Then proceed to make sure he understood that Fisher wasn't a man with a blank resume.

 

One of the better coaches we have and this guy is complaining. Id say Fisher and Joseph are our two best position coaches

[HuskerShark]

1) Recruit your a$$ off to the best of your ability

2) Put together a simple scheme that can be executed well by our players game in and game out

3) Motivate the players every week to play

4) Put the team in the best position to win possible

 

#4 is the broad-sweeping expectation that covers all facets of the game, and it is the one that the coaches are failing at. If we have a scheme that is so complicated like both our offense and defense are, that doesn't put them in the best position to succeed. That should be every coach's #1 priority, and ours haven't done a good job at it.

[JJ Husker]

Oh boo hoo, the butt hurt is thick with some of you. You can pretend peoples problems with ;Bo are just because he is not TO all you want. That doesn't mean people that think he isn't the guy agree on that basis.

 

Zoogies laid out a pretty reasonable base but didn't delve into on field expectations. To his qualities I would add;

1- win the games you should win

2- don't get blown out in any game

3- don't get pushed around and don't get out willed by lesser opponents

4- if you lose, make sure it is because the other team is better. Don't blame your players understanding or effort- you as the coach are responsible for your assistants and players preparation, understanding, and effort. Realize that if those things are the problem, you will be held accountable.

[EZ-E]

Really good posts so far. This is part one of a two part series that I would like to post. I would like to reach somewhat of a consensus on this board if possible.

[Cina]

I would like to reach somewhat of a consensus on this board if possible.

 

[presidentjlh]

I would like to reach somewhat of a consensus on this board if possible.

 

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Pk7yqlTMvp8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

If you just post the link alone it'll embed.

[Cina]

 

If you just post the link alone it'll embed.

 

All my searching for how to do it right for nothing

[presidentjlh]

 

If you just post the link alone it'll embed.

 

All my searching for how to do it right for nothing

 

strange, it didn't embed there though.

 

I have no clue then.

[lo country]

Be competitive

PLay sound fundamental football ie tackling, penalties, fumbles

Play an inspired and complete 4 quarters of football

Understand that NU fans find an identity (to a degree) in our teams success or failure

Actually have the ability to make in game adjustments

Not stubborn or prideful

Embrace the fans, former players and Nebraska way

Smash mouth first, countries were not conquered by finesse, but through brute force

Create a team that is physically and mentally tough

Get the swagger back

Understand and embrace our traditions (Don't end or make some BS new ones)

If a player ever Tweets they were not prepared, focused, ready etc..... sit their a$$ until they find a way to "get their head out their a$$"

Actually plays the best players and is willing to sit guys who fumble, miss plays, get penalties etc.....

Continue to develop the character of guys and put that first

[ladyhawke]

I was thinking how fun it would be to have a football coach with the personality/drive of Tim Miles our new basketball coach. That guys is so refreshing! In looking at how he has made an instant impact on Nebraska I see these things in a Head Football Coach for Nebraska:

 

>Immediately relate to the student body as a whole not just the football players

>Have a good sense of humor (and thick skin!) so that when he does make a mistake he can take it

>Be an effective speaker with the media

>Be a good representative of the university (Always be aware of your surroundings and who are present in those surroundings)

>Be a good recruiter but also be able to build up what you recruit

>Continue the tradition of building up young men so that they have academic success in the classroom as well as success on the football field

>Have a passion for the game of football

>Be able to make adjustments to the game while playing the game. When things start to break down-immediately adjust-not wait until half time or the 11th hour

>Respect Nebraska Tradition: Welcome former players and listen to what they have to say. Also, use them if they offer to help!

>Continue the tradition of community support.

 

(As I write this I can't help but think that if we would've beaten Minnesota, we wouldn't be having this conversation. It all makes me sad. )