Some of you may already know this while others might not. From 1940-1961, Nebraska football went through a slump of epic proportions. During that 21 year span, only 4 of those years were winning seasons with one season finishing 5-5. Enter: Bob Devaney.
In case you didn't know, The Bobfather was an Assistant Coach for 4 years at Michigan St. under Biggie Munn (1 year) and Duffy Daugherty (3 years) from 1953-1956. He then left the Spartans to take the HC job in Wyoming for the next 5 years. In 1962, Nebraska was in the market for a new HC. Nebraska Chancellor Clifford Hardin made a phone call to Duffy Daugherty hoping to whisk him away from Michigan St. but Daugherty declined the offer and made a recommendation to hire his former Assistant, Bob Devaney away from Wyoming.
I shudder to think what Nebraska football would look like today without Duffy Daugherty's recommendation? To put it into perspective, NU football morale was at an all-time low with a 6 season losing streak until Devaney arrived. Not to mention only 4 winning seasons in 21 years before his arrival.
With that in mind, I'm grateful for Clifford Hardin for taking Daugherty's advice. I'm also grateful for Michigan St. and more specifically Duffy Daugherty for giving us a gem in Bob Devaney.
In case you didn't know, The Bobfather was an Assistant Coach for 4 years at Michigan St. under Biggie Munn (1 year) and Duffy Daugherty (3 years) from 1953-1956. He then left the Spartans to take the HC job in Wyoming for the next 5 years. In 1962, Nebraska was in the market for a new HC. Nebraska Chancellor Clifford Hardin made a phone call to Duffy Daugherty hoping to whisk him away from Michigan St. but Daugherty declined the offer and made a recommendation to hire his former Assistant, Bob Devaney away from Wyoming.
I shudder to think what Nebraska football would look like today without Duffy Daugherty's recommendation? To put it into perspective, NU football morale was at an all-time low with a 6 season losing streak until Devaney arrived. Not to mention only 4 winning seasons in 21 years before his arrival.
With that in mind, I'm grateful for Clifford Hardin for taking Daugherty's advice. I'm also grateful for Michigan St. and more specifically Duffy Daugherty for giving us a gem in Bob Devaney.
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