New ST Coach Mike Ekeler

[Mavric]

I rarely see you and others offer valid critiques of Rhule. As your signature says, you have drunk the Rhule-aid.

There seems to be a lot of open space between "not offering valid critiques" and trying to say people are saying things that are never said.

But it always make people feel like their viewpoints are stronger when they can argue against strawmen.

 

[HuskerNation1]

There seems to be a lot of open space between "not offering valid critiques" and trying to say people are saying things that are never said.

But it always make people feel like their viewpoints are stronger when they can argue against strawmen.

What is the strawmen here? Also Mav-I have failed to see you and a handful of others offer valid criticisms of Rhule. You seem to get more upset at others bringing those forward than actually giving such criticisms of the head coach making millions.

 

[handsomehusker]

If you were in my house on Saturdays you would see I cheer for them. However, I am also a fan who remembers when Husker fans demanded excellence. When I see that I offer praise, and I was highly complimentary of the running game and special teams this past season. But excellence is ultimately about succeeding in all facets of the game and competing for championships. We are no closer to that level of excellence with Rhule than we were with Riley and Frost. Maybe I will be shocked in 2026 and Nebraska will suddenly be competitive for a championship, but there is nothing I have seen from Rhule in 3-plus years to suggest that will happen. What gives you confidence that we will see significant improvement in 2026?

Like I’ve said in an earlier post fans have been conditioned to mediocrity it has become a hope for the best but prepare for the worst vicious cycle. Fans handle that mental conditioning differently no one is more right or wrong in the way they deal with it. I know I complain about Rhule and staff yet never miss a game and cheer my a$$ off. I think it’s what must probably do.

 

[Crusader Husker]

I rarely see you and others offer valid critiques of Rhule. As your signature says, you have drunk the Rhule-aid.

He hasn’t gotten the job done. He spent his first two years making poor hires, and the results speak for themselves. In the post-Solich era, I’d rank him somewhere between Bo and Frost—probably behind Callahan. I keep hearing that he’s “fixed a lot of things behind the scenes,” but none of that has translated to results on the field. What does that even mean? I don’t really know—just something I hear repeatedly from Nebraska sports media.


He also needs a new offensive coordinator. I don’t know why Dana Holgorsen isn’t nearly as effective as he was a decade ago, but he simply isn’t producing now.


At this point, all I really have is hope that the new hires move the program forward. If next season is a disaster, I’m sure they’ll spend the money to buy him out—but as usual, the AD will probably have to go first.


I don’t feel much different than you do. That said, constantly hearing the same complaints day in and day out doesn’t help anything. I’ve learned that repeatedly complaining about something you have zero control over is fruitless. I’ve even heard from people outside Nebraska that top-tier coaches don’t want the job because fans are constantly comparing everything to the 1990s. Our complaining actually hurts us more than it helps.

 

[runningblind]

I keep hearing that he’s “fixed a lot of things behind the scenes,” but none of that has translated to results on the field. What does that even mean?

He moonlights as a plumber and HVAC tech.

 

[HuskerNation1]

He hasn’t gotten the job done. He spent his first two years making poor hires, and the results speak for themselves. In the post-Solich era, I’d rank him somewhere between Bo and Frost—probably behind Callahan. I keep hearing that he’s “fixed a lot of things behind the scenes,” but none of that has translated to results on the field. What does that even mean? I don’t really know—just something I hear repeatedly from Nebraska sports media.


He also needs a new offensive coordinator. I don’t know why Dana Holgorsen isn’t nearly as effective as he was a decade ago, but he simply isn’t producing now.


At this point, all I really have is hope that the new hires move the program forward. If next season is a disaster, I’m sure they’ll spend the money to buy him out—but as usual, the AD will probably have to go first.


I don’t feel much different than you do. That said, constantly hearing the same complaints day in and day out doesn’t help anything. I’ve learned that repeatedly complaining about something you have zero control over is fruitless. I’ve even heard from people outside Nebraska that top-tier coaches don’t want the job because fans are constantly comparing everything to the 1990s. Our complaining actually hurts us more than it helps.

You made some good points that I agree with including where Rhule stacks up from a ranking perspective in the post-Solich era. Where I see things differently is the role fans should play related to the state of the program. When fans stop expressing frustration and apathy has set in, that is when programs begin to die. Nebraska still has the best and most loyal fans in the nation, but they are loyal to the program and not to any one individual (such as the HC). My own worry is that some fans are complacent with mediocrity, and without pressure from fans (and donors), the mediocrity will remain the status quo.

I will admit that, because of my job leading other leaders, I likely don't have as much patience as some do when I see poor leadership on display. I work in a field where results and outcomes matter and leaders are held accountable when they are not delivering on those outcomes.

 

[Mavric]

What is the strawmen here?

As @Red Five pointed out earlier (and you ignored), no one that I've seen has said that Ekeler leaving with make our special teams better, which is what you claimed.

Also Mav-I have failed to see you and a handful of others offer valid criticisms of Rhule.

Then you have missed a lot.

You seem to get more upset at others bringing those forward than actually giving such criticisms of the head coach making millions.

I have not been upset at anyone bringing up valid criticisms. It's annoying when people think they have to nit-pick at things that really have nothing to do with whether Rhule is doing a good job or not (podcasts, wearing his hat backwards, etc.) when there are plenty of valid things to be frustrated with.

 

[HuskerNation1]

As @Red Five pointed out earlier (and you ignored), no one that I've seen has said that Ekeler leaving with make our special teams better, which is what you claimed.



Then you have missed a lot.



I have not been upset at anyone bringing up valid criticisms. It's annoying when people think they have to nit-pick at things that really have nothing to do with whether Rhule is doing a good job or not (podcasts, wearing his hat backwards, etc.) when there are plenty of valid things to be frustrated with.

Rhule's inferred in his interview last week that special teams would do just as fine (if not better) without Eckeler have been posted and discussed in this thread. There has been a desire by some to minimize the impact he had on ST last year and what his departure may mean for ST next year. It's not that hard of a concept...you lose a great coach, there should be concern. There were similar concerns when Tony White left and Rhule confidently stated that Butler would step in and take the defense to the next level. That did not happen as we all know.

As for criticisms of Rhule, there are a small number I have yet to see come forward with such criticisms. Instead, they spend more time getting upset at others who bring forward valid criticisms. It's a fan message board, and unless you have not spent time looking on other fan message boards, most fans are criticial of the HC.

As for the podcast, it plays into a larger concern with Rhule that he is more into his image and selling us a story that simply has not been the reality we are seeing on the field. More and more fans are tired of hearing him spin the state of the program under his watch. It brings to question whether he is focused on the right things needed to get this program back to being relevant.

 

[Toe]

I think the drop off on defense had a lot to do with the loss of Nash and Ty. Yes, Butler was a mess, but I firmly believe that the defense would have still dropped off even if the previous defensive staff was in place. When you don't have dudes in the middle of that scheme, you are in trouble.

That's part of it, but I think there's more to it than that. Last year there were a lot of moments when guys apparently just didn't even know what was supposed to be happening on a given play. Butler blamed the players, but I heard it too many times with too many different players to think it's just a matter of them being dumb or not good enough or whatever. To me, that points to a coaching issue.

 

[Lorewarn]

Nebraska still has the best and most loyal fans in the nation, but they are loyal to the program and not to any one individual (such as the HC).

without pressure from fans (and donors), the mediocrity will remain the status quo.

These ideas are actually at odds with each other.

The only way fans can actually pressure the athletic department is with their wallets. If the fans continue to be loyal no matter what, then there is no notable consequence to losing.

 

[HuskerNation1]

These ideas are actually at odds with each other.

The only way fans can actually pressure the athletic department is with their wallets. If the fans continue to be loyal no matter what, then there is no notable consequence to losing.

Well this is not something that would happen overnight. It would be gradual and start with a harder time selling out football games, lower prices paid per ticket, less donations to the athletics department from donors (including smaller donors), etc... And when I say Nebraska fans, I am talking about all sports in general. The volleyball program has continued to sellout and attract large crowds even at away matches BECAUSE they are putting a good product on the field.

 

[Mavric]

Rhule's inferred in his interview last week that special teams would do just as fine (if not better) without Eckeler have been posted and discussed in this thread. There has been a desire by some to minimize the impact he had on ST last year and what his departure may mean for ST next year. It's not that hard of a concept...you lose a great coach, there should be concern. There were similar concerns when Tony White left and Rhule confidently stated that Butler would step in and take the defense to the next level. That did not happen as we all know.

As for criticisms of Rhule, there are a small number I have yet to see come forward with such criticisms. Instead, they spend more time getting upset at others who bring forward valid criticisms. It's a fan message board, and unless you have not spent time looking on other fan message boards, most fans are criticial of the HC.

Lots of goalpost moving going on here.

As for the podcast, it plays into a larger concern with Rhule that he is more into his image and selling us a story that simply has not been the reality we are seeing on the field. More and more fans are tired of hearing him spin the state of the program under his watch. It brings to question whether he is focused on the right things needed to get this program back to being relevant.

It only plays into a larger concern because people want to find other things to complain about. In actually, it does none of that, if not does the opposite. Which is what I was referencing earlier.

 

[Crusader Husker]

You made some good points that I agree with including where Rhule stacks up from a ranking perspective in the post-Solich era. Where I see things differently is the role fans should play related to the state of the program. When fans stop expressing frustration and apathy has set in, that is when programs begin to die. Nebraska still has the best and most loyal fans in the nation, but they are loyal to the program and not to any one individual (such as the HC). My own worry is that some fans are complacent with mediocrity, and without pressure from fans (and donors), the mediocrity will remain the status quo.

I will admit that, because of my job leading other leaders, I likely don't have as much patience as some do when I see poor leadership on display. I work in a field where results and outcomes matter and leaders are held accountable when they are not delivering on those outcomes.

I think everyone knows it isn't where they should be. It isn't the whining they should be worried about. It is apathy.

I just don't need to hear about it every other thread. I think no one is happy. In the off-season I want to look forward and see if it is going to get better, not look back and beat a dead horse. As a leader, that is what I do.

 

[HuskerNation1]

I assume.Rhule did not want to give Eckeler a role on defense.

 

[HuskerNation1]

Lots of goalpost moving going on here.



It only plays into a larger concern because people want to find other things to complain about. In actually, it does none of that, if not does the opposite. Which is what I was referencing earlier.

Sorry but there was no goalpost moving. As for Rhule and his podcast, you seem very triggered when anyone mentions this. He has a reputation of being a smooth talker by many fans and they are questioning if he is all talk at this point. Sipple is the only local journalist to actually call out what many fans are feeling.