Guy Chamberlin
Heisman Trophy Winner
I think a clean program and solid leadership of young men is important, too, but the coach who literally spits in the face of his assistant coaches, pits the players against the fans to protect his own shortcomings, fields a team that consistently reflects his own lack of discipline, and calls his boss a kunt, adding to his national reputation as the thin-skinned hothead who represents Nebraska, challenges my definition of "clean." His brother, the defensive coordinator, would have been my favorite uncle, but perhaps not the standard definition of clean, either.I'll add one other thought, which I know isn't popular, and maybe I hold onto it because I really don't have my ego wrapped up in Husker football: .700 and a clean program is completely acceptable to me, and though I'd love for kids to win championships at Nebraska, I think that's a valuable and meaningful experience for players to be part of a consistently solid program.
I just won't get on board with firing a .700+ coach in hopes of getting an .800+ coach when I realize that downside risk for these players is so great.
The other winning HC who got fired also enjoyed alcohol and young women who weren't his wife.
Both were fired for not winning the right games. Their personal liabilities simply made it easier. Or maybe it was the other way around.
Either way, let's not kid ourselves. This is still about winning football games, something Mike Riley needs to do very quickly.
If it was about clean programs and meaningful experience, we'd be considering Shawn Eichorst's efforts on behalf of the multi-faceted UNL athletic program, including a new national profile for baseball, basketball, women's volleyball and more.