Bo and High School Coaches

[Thanks_Tom RR]

He could have done both.  If setting himself apart from other college coaches yields zero better results, what did we gain?  I'm not in the camp that believes we must always have a top 10 recruiting class.  However, I do believe we need to average a top 20 class year in and year out if we want to compete not only with the rest of college football but with the top 2-3 in the B1G.  We're doing a pretty decent job at getting skill position players.  Where we need to get tremendously better in recruiting is the guys in the trenches particularly the OL.  Barney isn't my favorite coach, but he needs more talent to work with.

It is hard to judge what the outcome would have been if Bo met with this particular recruit because we don't have any real specifics here (we don't even know which recruit it was). Still, like you are saying, we aren't looking to fill out a top 10 class for one year. We want a top 20 class every year, and getting the respect from high school coaches that are at programs that turn out numerous D1 talent every year will help us with that goal. So, did Bo help himself with that recruit? No. Did he help himself with the coaches that will be there year in and year out which could pay dividends down the road? Sounds like it.

 

[jmfb]

This probably isn't the point you were trying to make, but it sticks out with me. Do you think Saban walks into a coaches office and asks if there's a chance the kid will come to Bama' and then when told no doesn't even meet with the kid? This scares the crap out of me. If everyone involved with sales took this approach, they'd either be fired or starve to death. Nebraska itself doesn't exactly sell itself. Bo is going to have to go above and beyond in recruiting to ever have a chance.

you do realize the better his relationship with a coach the better his chances with future recruits that play for that coach?

Never once did I say it was bad for making a good relationship with those coaches. What was bad was the fact he didn't even meet with the recruit he went down there to see. By not even seeing the kid, well this is a defeatist attitude. I just don't see Urban Meyer or Nick Saban taking the same approach. I'd be willing to bet both Saban and Meyer have been told by a high school coach that a recruit just isn't interested that they got to come to their school.

I see you point, but if Bo meets with the recruit in this situation, it is no longer a story about how a college coach takes off the "salesman hat" and focuses sole on building a relationship with a coach from a big high school program. I think it is in this approach that Bo sets himself apart from other college coaches that look to play an angle with recruits and their coaches rather than being genuine and earnest.

Yeah, exactly. There comes a time when there's just no way you're gonna make *that* sale. Especially if the "sale" has already been made. Would it have been better for Bo to push his way into a meeting with the kid? Perhaps the best that could come from that meeting is that Bo created some goodwill. And even for that particular recruit, if something happens with his original choice it sounds like NU would be among the top choices that the HS coach would recommend. Further, Bo's approach in this sounds a lot like what Osborne would have done in that situation.

Exactly. My first job (for a year) out of college was a recruiter for a JC. You have 300 leads handed to you that you need to go through. Why waste time on something that won't happen. It was a question about character to me. Do we have any chance? The answer was no he just wants some trips. So he wasn't open to anything but having a free trip and a party. This might not be the kind of guy we want anyway. And I would guess Bo's gut told him as much or that wouldn't have been his first question.

Most people don't realize that Suttles offer was almost pulled when he came here because of some character things the other players and coaches didn't care for. He was told about those concerns and was told he was on thin ice from the start and don't come here if you don't think you can be the type of person you want. He assured us it wasn't who he was as did his coach. We see how that worked out.

When asked the question if they had a shot, my buddy shook his head vigorously and frowned. It was obvious to all- there was no shot, he knew the kid had a local serious girlfriend and was anchored with a close school. The kid was also a taker and looking for trips. My friend felt really bad the Bo had made the trip, but it turned the trip from what would have been a downer into a positive. My buddy cant say enough nice things about Bo- and my friend is on the clinic circuit all over the US, he talks to 100s of coaches every year.

 

[Eric the Red]

I'm not sure what the general perception Bo has amoungst HS coaches in Nebraska or nationwide, but I can share 2 stories from guys I know.
One is a very close friend and is an assistant coach in Florida with a big program, he doesnt exaggerate. A couple of years ago Bo came down in person to visit a highly ranked recruit. Bo came to the coaches office and there were 3-4 coaches there. Bo asks the head coach " do we have a chance with this kid" the HC looks over to my buddy and gives him the question mark look. My friend is the kids position coach and he shakes his head no. The kid really liked another school was committed there- and was just out shopping around for free trips, NU had zero chance with the kid. The coach says no and Bo says, "now that we got that over with, lets talk some football". Bo asked them what they were struggling with defensively and gave them some ideas scheme and drill wise. They were there as a group for well over an hour. This was in the Orlando area and Bo could have made a bunch of other stops etc They were really impressed with him, the real deal, someone they could trust. Bo never bothered seeing the kid, told the coaches to tell the kid he wished him his best.

Another HS head coach in Florida, pretty good friend. Big program. He attended Bos coaches clinic in Florida when we were down there. Guy asks to come to NUs practices, Bo is fine with that. Then Bo makes sure the guy gets plenty of info on some of the tweaks in NUs offense like the Power Read, Sweep Read and even Jet Sweep Read. Some good personal attention. The guy intergrates this into his offense and becomes a HUGE Bo fan. Cant say enough nice things about Bo and his coaching staff.

Bo may not know everyone and his perception amoungst the casual fan may not be great. But like his players, these coaches respect and trust the man.

I realize this is a very small sample size. I could go into other people I know who know him well, they all say the same thing. Not perfect, but honest and trustworthy. I like that if Im a HS coach or a mom or dad sending Junior away to school.

Great stories

 

[okaive]

This probably isn't the point you were trying to make, but it sticks out with me. Do you think Saban walks into a coaches office and asks if there's a chance the kid will come to Bama' and then when told no doesn't even meet with the kid? This scares the crap out of me. If everyone involved with sales took this approach, they'd either be fired or starve to death. Nebraska itself doesn't exactly sell itself. Bo is going to have to go above and beyond in recruiting to ever have a chance.

you do realize the better his relationship with a coach the better his chances with future recruits that play for that coach?

Never once did I say it was bad for making a good relationship with those coaches. What was bad was the fact he didn't even meet with the recruit he went down there to see. By not even seeing the kid, well this is a defeatist attitude. I just don't see Urban Meyer or Nick Saban taking the same approach. I'd be willing to bet both Saban and Meyer have been told by a high school coach that a recruit just isn't interested that they got to come to their school.

I see you point, but if Bo meets with the recruit in this situation, it is no longer a story about how a college coach takes off the "salesman hat" and focuses sole on building a relationship with a coach from a big high school program. I think it is in this approach that Bo sets himself apart from other college coaches that look to play an angle with recruits and their coaches rather than being genuine and earnest.

Yeah, exactly. There comes a time when there's just no way you're gonna make *that* sale. Especially if the "sale" has already been made. Would it have been better for Bo to push his way into a meeting with the kid? Perhaps the best that could come from that meeting is that Bo created some goodwill. And even for that particular recruit, if something happens with his original choice it sounds like NU would be among the top choices that the HS coach would recommend. Further, Bo's approach in this sounds a lot like what Osborne would have done in that situation.

Exactly. My first job (for a year) out of college was a recruiter for a JC. You have 300 leads handed to you that you need to go through. Why waste time on something that won't happen. It was a question about character to me. Do we have any chance? The answer was no he just wants some trips. So he wasn't open to anything but having a free trip and a party. This might not be the kind of guy we want anyway. And I would guess Bo's gut told him as much or that wouldn't have been his first question.

Most people don't realize that Suttles offer was almost pulled when he came here because of some character things the other players and coaches didn't care for. He was told about those concerns and was told he was on thin ice from the start and don't come here if you don't think you can be the type of person you want. He assured us it wasn't who he was as did his coach. We see how that worked out.

When asked the question if they had a shot, my buddy shook his head vigorously and frowned. It was obvious to all- there was no shot, he knew the kid had a local serious girlfriend and was anchored with a close school. The kid was also a taker and looking for trips. My friend felt really bad the Bo had made the trip, but it turned the trip from what would have been a downer into a positive. My buddy cant say enough nice things about Bo- and my friend is on the clinic circuit all over the US, he talks to 100s of coaches every year.

My question and sure some others on here is: Since you know this guy, has this actually helped NU? Has this coach turn any recruits our way? (you didn't mention a year when this happened).

 

[Hayseed]

This probably isn't the point you were trying to make, but it sticks out with me. Do you think Saban walks into a coaches office and asks if there's a chance the kid will come to Bama' and then when told no doesn't even meet with the kid? This scares the crap out of me. If everyone involved with sales took this approach, they'd either be fired or starve to death. Nebraska itself doesn't exactly sell itself. Bo is going to have to go above and beyond in recruiting to ever have a chance.

I see your point but what would scare me is if our coaches spent all their time chasing players who had no intention of coming here and they ended up taking valuable space and time from someone who wants to. Bo also showed a lot of respect for the judgment of the HS coach,....and that means a heck of a lot. If the kid had any interest in Nebraska at all , I'm sure his coach would be the first to say whether or not he could be sold on the school.

 

[EZ-E]

This probably isn't the point you were trying to make, but it sticks out with me. Do you think Saban walks into a coaches office and asks if there's a chance the kid will come to Bama' and then when told no doesn't even meet with the kid? This scares the crap out of me. If everyone involved with sales took this approach, they'd either be fired or starve to death. Nebraska itself doesn't exactly sell itself. Bo is going to have to go above and beyond in recruiting to ever have a chance.

you do realize the better his relationship with a coach the better his chances with future recruits that play for that coach?

Never once did I say it was bad for making a good relationship with those coaches. What was bad was the fact he didn't even meet with the recruit he went down there to see. By not even seeing the kid, well this is a defeatist attitude. I just don't see Urban Meyer or Nick Saban taking the same approach. I'd be willing to bet both Saban and Meyer have been told by a high school coach that a recruit just isn't interested that they got to come to their school.

I see you point, but if Bo meets with the recruit in this situation, it is no longer a story about how a college coach takes off the "salesman hat" and focuses sole on building a relationship with a coach from a big high school program. I think it is in this approach that Bo sets himself apart from other college coaches that look to play an angle with recruits and their coaches rather than being genuine and earnest.

Yeah, exactly. There comes a time when there's just no way you're gonna make *that* sale. Especially if the "sale" has already been made. Would it have been better for Bo to push his way into a meeting with the kid? Perhaps the best that could come from that meeting is that Bo created some goodwill. And even for that particular recruit, if something happens with his original choice it sounds like NU would be among the top choices that the HS coach would recommend. Further, Bo's approach in this sounds a lot like what Osborne would have done in that situation.

Exactly. My first job (for a year) out of college was a recruiter for a JC. You have 300 leads handed to you that you need to go through. Why waste time on something that won't happen. It was a question about character to me. Do we have any chance? The answer was no he just wants some trips. So he wasn't open to anything but having a free trip and a party. This might not be the kind of guy we want anyway. And I would guess Bo's gut told him as much or that wouldn't have been his first question.

Most people don't realize that Suttles offer was almost pulled when he came here because of some character things the other players and coaches didn't care for. He was told about those concerns and was told he was on thin ice from the start and don't come here if you don't think you can be the type of person you want. He assured us it wasn't who he was as did his coach. We see how that worked out.

When asked the question if they had a shot, my buddy shook his head vigorously and frowned. It was obvious to all- there was no shot, he knew the kid had a local serious girlfriend and was anchored with a close school. The kid was also a taker and looking for trips. My friend felt really bad the Bo had made the trip, but it turned the trip from what would have been a downer into a positive. My buddy cant say enough nice things about Bo- and my friend is on the clinic circuit all over the US, he talks to 100s of coaches every year.

My question and sure some others on here is: Since you know this guy, has this actually helped NU? Has this coach turn any recruits our way? (you didn't mention a year when this happened).

I know that JMFB will be hesitant to answer because he doesn't want to out anyone or anything, but it has absolutely helped.

 

[admo]

Appreciate the stories. As much as I don't get jacked up when I see Coach going rabid on the sidelines, I never thought he wasn't a trustworthy, good honest person with the best intentions. He has calmed down some. Seeing much less of the 8 year old - sore loser - tantrums during games, so I'm happy for him and his progress, seeing him grow and mature after nearly 6 years. I also think it's the best job possible, but a very scrutinizing position to say the least. He's doing better.

 

[The Dude]

Bo asks the head coach " do we have a f'ing chance with this f'ing kid" the HC looks over to my buddy and gives him the question mark look. My friend is the kids position coach and he shakes his head no. The kid really liked another school was committed there- and was just out shopping around for free trips, NU had zero chance with the kid. The coach says no and Bo says, "now that we got that f'ing sh#t over with, lets talk some f'ing football".

Fixed it for you.

 

[ladyhawke]

The coaches aren't the only ones that are impressed with Bo. These recruits parents are as well. My husband recently flew to Arizona and sat by the parent of one if our new players. This kid was from CA. The parent said at first the kid was a little nervous about being so far away from home but once he got there Bo & Co took such good care of him that there were no more worries and he's doing great. That family was very impressed with Bo and our program.

 

[Goal-line]

This probably isn't the point you were trying to make, but it sticks out with me. Do you think Saban walks into a coaches office and asks if there's a chance the kid will come to Bama' and then when told no doesn't even meet with the kid? This scares the crap out of me. If everyone involved with sales took this approach, they'd either be fired or starve to death. Nebraska itself doesn't exactly sell itself. Bo is going to have to go above and beyond in recruiting to ever have a chance.

You are absolutely correct. The proof is in the pudding. Why should Pelini even ask the question, "Do we have a chance with this kid?" Pelini's main problem is two fold: (1). His on and off field demeanor/temper and (2). Losing big games by lopsided scores on national TV, repeatedly. Neither perception is an isolated incident. His lambasting Martinez on national TV and his expletive filled "fan rant" are real visual and tangible events. It will take a long time to recover from those types of situations, if ever. He can be the nicest guy in the world to coaches, but those two perceptions are out there for everyone to see. Thus, causing him to have to as the ridiculous question, "Do we have a chance with this kid?" Recruits see these things as do HC coaches and parents. NU has lost out on some very significant recruits, a couple from in state. That bleeding needs to stop.

 

[jmfb]

Just some info to help those who dont understand recruiting. Lots of intel comes to the NU staff from "friends" on the ground in various parts of the country. Most of those friends are a network of HS football coaches, the coaching staff has developed over time. They point out possible prospects. The possible prospects coach is then contacted with a request for information, size, speed, character, work habits, Hudl Highlights, parents contact info etc. Then the prospect gets bombed with various letters and direct mail pieces. The film is studied- and during those film studies- sometimes they come across other kids from the same team or other teams, that they then take a closer look at. Prospects are then classified by priority and a strategy is put in place for recruiting that prospect. For many they are going to take them if they show interest, for others they are slow played- because NU wants more intel on their game/character or NU is waiting it out on a better prospect.

When they get to the point where they want to make that first phone call to the prospect, they talk to his coach, starting with the head coach, and then sometimes the position coach. NUs main source of information on the prospect is his HC. Many times they can find out who the players main influencers are from talking to that HC. A lot of times, it's the HS coach, especially when there isnt a dad in the house. Parents and kids- this is the first and probably last time they go through this proccess, they are usually looking for good advice. The HS football coach in most cases has gone through this proccess many times and knows the ropes, often times his opinion means a lot. My guess is with this kid- that Bo had already established that the kids primary influencer was the position coach- guess I could call the guy and ask. In any event, the net is Bo has established a network of HS coaches who know and like him and have no problem funnelling kids and intel to him. It's a tight fraternity, they talk and network a lot- all good for Bo. The HS position coach, knew for a fact the kid was just playing for a free trip and was set on attending a school close by- due to his girlfriend and mamas boy situation. I get where you are coming from though.

Just think of why some coaches get hired, it isnt always because they are a great salesman recruiter. It is because of the network of contacts the coach has in certain areas of the country. That's why you see a number or recruiting scandals, like the one in Memphis where a HS coach was paid $25,000 to funnel recruits to one college.

 

[HuskerShark]

This probably isn't the point you were trying to make, but it sticks out with me. Do you think Saban walks into a coaches office and asks if there's a chance the kid will come to Bama' and then when told no doesn't even meet with the kid? This scares the crap out of me. If everyone involved with sales took this approach, they'd either be fired or starve to death. Nebraska itself doesn't exactly sell itself. Bo is going to have to go above and beyond in recruiting to ever have a chance.

You are absolutely correct. The proof is in the pudding. Why should Pelini even ask the question, "Do we have a chance with this kid?" Pelini's main problem is two fold: (1). His on and off field demeanor/temper and (2). Losing big games by lopsided scores on national TV, repeatedly. Neither perception is an isolated incident. His lambasting Martinez on national TV and his expletive filled "fan rant" are real visual and tangible events. It will take a long time to recover from those types of situations, if ever. He can be the nicest guy in the world to coaches, but those two perceptions are out there for everyone to see. Thus, causing him to have to as the ridiculous question, "Do we have a chance with this kid?" Recruits see these things as do HC coaches and parents. NU has lost out on some very significant recruits, a couple from in state. That bleeding needs to stop.

 

[Redux]

This probably isn't the point you were trying to make, but it sticks out with me. Do you think Saban walks into a coaches office and asks if there's a chance the kid will come to Bama' and then when told no doesn't even meet with the kid? This scares the crap out of me. If everyone involved with sales took this approach, they'd either be fired or starve to death. Nebraska itself doesn't exactly sell itself. Bo is going to have to go above and beyond in recruiting to ever have a chance.

You are absolutely correct. The proof is in the pudding. Why should Pelini even ask the question, "Do we have a chance with this kid?" Pelini's main problem is two fold: (1). His on and off field demeanor/temper and (2). Losing big games by lopsided scores on national TV, repeatedly. Neither perception is an isolated incident. His lambasting Martinez on national TV and his expletive filled "fan rant" are real visual and tangible events. It will take a long time to recover from those types of situations, if ever. He can be the nicest guy in the world to coaches, but those two perceptions are out there for everyone to see. Thus, causing him to have to as the ridiculous question, "Do we have a chance with this kid?" Recruits see these things as do HC coaches and parents. NU has lost out on some very significant recruits, a couple from in state. That bleeding needs to stop.

You have got to be shatting me......this is unreal.

1) why waste valuable time recruiting a kid who isnt coming in the end?

2) NU loses out on more recruits because of snow than Pelinis yelling

3) Bo runs a clean and well adjusted program, parents see that

4) The grass isnt always greener on the other side my friend

 

[jmfb]

Per my previous post an article about how the Rose kid got here:

HS coach reached out to Terry Joseph- someone he trusted

http://journalstar.c...59d9278fd6.html

Happens a lot

I sat in on a meeting between a recruiter from Iowa State and a HC of team in Omaha a few years back

It was all about: who does the kid trust, is he a good kid, classroom, mom and dad in the home?

AND is he committed to Nebraska- do we have a shot? Who else do you have?

Who else should we be looking at in conference? ANy under the radar kids you think we should be on?

When Texas won their MNC- the first thing out of the GREAT politician Mack Browns mouth on National TV after the game was "THis National Championship belongs to all the great HS football coaches in the State of Texas, they do an incredible job, they are the reason we are here" he cultivated and blew smoke for all of them. And for the longest time he got the pick of the litter- picking, not recruiting, even when they werent very good. I havent a clue if coach Brown is a good recruiter or not, never met the man. but Im betting he has one of the best networks of influencers in the US firmly on his side. The things he does for Texas HS coaches is off the charts, he treats them like they are part of his staff, an extention- he has said that many times. Coaching clinics, intel on his program, follow ups, need to stop by and see the facilities sure, learn more about the system sure, want to watch us practice- sure- he treats them like kings. The man is brilliant when it comes to how he has cultivated that group. It has served him well from a recruiting standpoint anyways and Im NOT a Texas fan by any stretch, I dislike them.

 

[Ratt Mhule]

This probably isn't the point you were trying to make, but it sticks out with me. Do you think Saban walks into a coaches office and asks if there's a chance the kid will come to Bama' and then when told no doesn't even meet with the kid? This scares the crap out of me. If everyone involved with sales took this approach, they'd either be fired or starve to death. Nebraska itself doesn't exactly sell itself. Bo is going to have to go above and beyond in recruiting to ever have a chance.

You are absolutely correct. The proof is in the pudding. Why should Pelini even ask the question, "Do we have a chance with this kid?" Pelini's main problem is two fold: (1). His on and off field demeanor/temper and (2). Losing big games by lopsided scores on national TV, repeatedly. Neither perception is an isolated incident. His lambasting Martinez on national TV and his expletive filled "fan rant" are real visual and tangible events. It will take a long time to recover from those types of situations, if ever. He can be the nicest guy in the world to coaches, but those two perceptions are out there for everyone to see. Thus, causing him to have to as the ridiculous question, "Do we have a chance with this kid?" Recruits see these things as do HC coaches and parents. NU has lost out on some very significant recruits, a couple from in state. That bleeding needs to stop.

Not even worth it man, not even worth it