First, thanks, sd'sker. That was a pretty amazing highlights video... and Bo's comments at the end were incredible.
Second, I really don't think those that criticize Bo that harshly or imagine they know what he's like from a few media confrontations/behaviors at times on the sideline have seen anything done in depth on the man. It's easy to track down the In the Coaches Office episode from the BTN that was done. It's an incredible piece that I think gives some great insight into the man of Bo Pelini, rather than jumping to conclusions.
I think TO knows exactly what he has with Bo, and is actually pretty proud of what he has. Does he like all of Bo's actions? Knowing Tom, no. But I also believe that Tom sees the greatness lurking in Bo, and thinks he's got something pretty special in a head coach.
Third, I think ANYONE characterizing the Husker fan base by the actions of a few poor fans is truly not paying attention. There is whole STATE worth of fans out there that truly don't get to the games all the time. Many of them are lucky to get to a game once a year. Many are lucky to get to a game, ever. That's because they don't have the time, money, or ability to get to Lincoln. But that doesn't make them any less a Husker fan. And coming from small-town Nebraska, I can tell you the vast majority of those fans don't care about the actions many on this Board and in the media obsess over. They're happy to have a winner as head coach, they're happy that he comes out and sees fans in the smaller towns, and they're happy to see the Huskers begin to be what they envision it can be. I think we truly get worked over a great deal of minutiae in this, and don't see the bigger picture of the fanbase. I think we get way too myopic and see our own little world of Huskerdom.
Fourth, TO could get rid of those 'Greatest fans' signs in a heartbeat if he really wanted to. He made subtle and not so subtle changes when he took over. He chooses not to because it's a nod to the fans, not in an arrogant way as some take it, but in a thankful way. I find it funny when WE knock our own fans so bad, and yet coaches from all over the country have come to Memorial Stadium and raved about our fans... win or lose. You find VERY few stadiums with fans applauding the opposing team as they walk off the field. And I think that's an amazing testament to who our fans are and what they're about. Do we have classless fans? Absolutely, as does every fanbase. What makes it different is the majority of the fanbase, and knowing who the majority of the fanbase is, and what makes Nebraska, the team and the state, special as a whole.
Book is done.
