Stewart Mandel from SI.com Says...

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PhillyHusker

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From Stewarts Mailbag...

76 points! This is ridiculous. Put on your thinking cap and tell me who the next coach of Nebraska is.

--Mike, Fargo, N.D.

The two most popular names in Lincoln right now are Turner Gill and Bo Pelini, both because of their coaching accomplishments (Gill is orchestrating an impressive turnaround in his second year at Buffalo; Pelini produces highly regarded defenses annually at LSU) and, just as importantly, because they "know" Nebraska (Gill was a former star quarterback and assistant there; Pelini was a highly successful defensive coordinator for one season under Frank Solich).

After such a negative experience with complete outsider Callahan, it's understandable why Nebraskans would clamor for one of their own this time. But with all due respect to Gill and Pelini -- neither of whom has been a head coach at the highest level -- quite frankly, Nebraska can do better. If I were Tom Osborne ... well, I'd be in the Hall of Fame, but that's another story ... I'd hire the best coach for the job, regardless of Nebraska ties. My choice: Cincinnati's Brian Kelly. He's an experienced head coach who's won everywhere he's been (national titles at Grand Valley State, a MAC title at Central Michigan, now leading a Big East title contender at Cincinnati), and his preferred style of offense -- the spread -- would be the most logical way to transition away from Callahan's disastrous West Coast experiment while running a system that fits the personnel on hand.

I don't think Nebraska needs to return to the days of the belly-option to be competitive; the spread is a sort of modern-day triple option in the way it can neutralize a more talented opponent, while the athletes Callahan already recruited at running back and receiver would benefit from the scheme greatly. In the meantime, of course, it's painfully evident that whoever the coach is needs to do some serious recruiting on the other side of the ball

 
I dont know why everyone thinks that the answer to NU's offensive woes is the spread. I know it is a very good offense and everyone is having trouble stopping it right now, but i would bet that sometime soon someone will come out with a very good defensive plan that will shut the spread down. Why doesnt anyone run the wing T that was so popular back in the day, because defense's have adjusted.

I think NU should use the spread to some length, but i would hate to see NU start looking like Texas Tech or Missouri, yes they score a lot of points but as soon as they play a good defense they are done for. You cant control a low scoring game with the spread. Also everyone and their dog is running the spread right now, If we were to go to some crazy offense that no one else is using it would give us a huge advantage. Teams prepare for the spread every week, and if we go to the spread teams wont even have to change their game plan for us. But if we run a different offense everyone will have to go back to the drawing board and come up with a completely different scheme. Opposing coaches will have to come up with a new plan and then will only have 1 week to teach this to their players. This is exactly what TO did in the 90's with the option.

 
I dont want a coach married to a offensive scheme. I want a guy who will adapt to the players he has.

 
I dont want a coach married to a offensive scheme. I want a guy who will adapt to the players he has.
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What you say is very true, we need a guy that will adjust the system to fit the players instead of trying to adjust the players to fit the system. But every coach is going to have a base offense that will be the foundation of the system and will adjust on this foundation. You cant expect a coach to run the fun & gun one year cause you have a QB who can pass, and then next year switch to the triple option cause your QB is very mobile, thats just wont work.

So we need an offense that is very flexible, so it can be ran by different types of players with out tearing down the foundation.

 
An offensive minded HC will always favor one style of offense. A good one can make adjustments to that style, but will never get away from it. A D minded HC always has making his D better, against any style of O. If you hire a D minded HC, and he doesn't like the O he'll find a new OC or make the one he has change.

 
The spread is an offense you can adapt to the players. Even though I like Bo and Gill, I think Kelly and a young, crazy DC would be a better fit.

 
Kelly was brought up before I think by Washusker and he was definately right about this coach. He has the tools, but would he come to NU???

 
There is going to be a downside to every offense. Remember that Osborne had a problem playing catchup with the run oriented option too. When he fell behind and had to pass to catch up, forget it...

We need a guy who has had success. That is enough for me. Then let the chips fall where they may. And we need a tough, hard hitting defense with speed. Not only speed in the back field but especially speed in the defensive line. That is what made Nebraska football famous. Nebraska invented that aspect ot fodays game both in college and the NFL.

 
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