I will try to be brief, though this is certainly complicated.
Nebraskans are usually regarded as some of the nicest people in the nation.
And some of the nicest fans. We all know this, and it is widely acknowledged by
outsiders.
I grew up in Nebraska, first Western, then Eastern, with stops in many towns
and cities. There is an unspoken, but very evident, streak of politeness that runs
through the fabric of Nebraskans. Some things you just DON'T SAY. You might
think them, you might say them to your closest confidant, a wife or a husband. But
you NEVER say them in any situation that could be considered even semi-public.
I moved to Florida in 1999. No one here would be surprised if this had come out of
Spurrier's mouth, or Kiffin's, or really any coach in the SEC. I think that the gist of this
is it goes against everything Nebraskans stand for, or claim to.
We knew Bo was full of fire and piss and vinegar when we hired him. This recording,
then, does not surprise me. I have said similar things, or thought them. I think everyone
ever born has done so. Even Tom Osborne. When he nearly left for Colorado, I am sure
he uttered or thought a few well-placed "Dadgummits!". We all know that for Tom that is
pretty much the equivalent.
Now, coupling this with the Tommie outrage from earlier is where I begin to draw my
personal line. Until that moment, I thought Bo deserved a couple more years here.
Now, I have serious doubts about all of this. The admin sure has enough to do whatever
the big cigars will force them to. And it IS about the money men I think, as much as it
is about wins. If Bo wins the B1G this year, it is harder to fire him, but still not impossible.
My greatest fear, though, has nothing to do with any of this. I dread the idea that we may
find ourselves competing with Texas AND USC for the best coach on the market.
That reason alone, I think, is good enough to keep Bo for another year or two. Just to make sure
we don't end up with the third best coaching candidate available at the end of this year.
