Strength and Conditioning

knapplc

International Man of Mystery
Just read an article on the Weird Herald (LINK) about Coach Dobson. Of all the coaching hires we made when Bo came aboard, his was the one I was most worried about. Who was this guy? We hired an assistant? From IOWA?!?!?! I had really big misgivings about this, but it turns out I was very wrong. And happy to be so.

James Dobson was 34 when he arrived two winters ago, sure of himself but realizing he had a lot to prove as head of Nebraska football strength and conditioning.
Dobson knew where to start.

He went after veterans like Matt Slauson, Zach Potter, Joe Ganz and Ty Steinkuhler. Get the Husker leaders on board first, Dobson reasoned, and the rest would follow.

“We hit it off pretty good right off the bat,’’ Dobson said, “by explaining what we were going to do, how we were going to do it and why we’re doing it.
The players appear faster and stronger, and overall a lot better able to compete in the Big XII where speed is at a premium and brute strength often means you're getting left in the dust. So far, Dobson has exceeded my expectations. :thumbs

 
The difference is very apparent, but I think some credit in this area has to go to Bo and the attitude he brought to the program again. I'm not downplaying the S&C achievements, but just saying the progress made there wouldn't be nearly so apparent if the entire team didn't have the proper attitudes that Bo and company have instilled in them.

 
That attitude that Bo brought back was the one of the 90's when "voluntary" off-season workouts were not voluntary because of guys like the Peters, Wistrom and so on. It may have been voluntary according to coaches, but is was a requirement to your teammates. That's leadership, and it's back.

 
That attitude that Bo brought back was the one of the 90's when "voluntary" off-season workouts were not voluntary because of guys like the Peters, Wistrom and so on. It may have been voluntary according to coaches, but is was a requirement to your teammates. That's leadership, and it's back.
Well, that about hit the nail on the head. Nice post, accountability.

 
Just read an article on the Weird Herald (LINK) about Coach Dobson. Of all the coaching hires we made when Bo came aboard, his was the one I was most worried about. Who was this guy? We hired an assistant? From IOWA?!?!?! I had really big misgivings about this, but it turns out I was very wrong. And happy to be so.

James Dobson was 34 when he arrived two winters ago, sure of himself but realizing he had a lot to prove as head of Nebraska football strength and conditioning.
Dobson knew where to start.

He went after veterans like Matt Slauson, Zach Potter, Joe Ganz and Ty Steinkuhler. Get the Husker leaders on board first, Dobson reasoned, and the rest would follow.

“We hit it off pretty good right off the bat,’’ Dobson said, “by explaining what we were going to do, how we were going to do it and why we’re doing it.
The players appear faster and stronger, and overall a lot better able to compete in the Big XII where speed is at a premium and brute strength often means you're getting left in the dust. So far, Dobson has exceeded my expectations. :thumbs
You were far from the only one wondering about Neb, former S&C standard-bearer, hiring an assistant from Iowa. But resume is hardly everything, look at Kennedy. Dobson has turned-out to be a great hire, props to Bo.

 
Our S&C program is in good hands with Dobson, but the incredible facilities and equipment the university provides help too. Just saying...

 
Just read an article on the Weird Herald (LINK) about Coach Dobson. Of all the coaching hires we made when Bo came aboard, his was the one I was most worried about. Who was this guy? We hired an assistant? From IOWA?!?!?! I had really big misgivings about this, but it turns out I was very wrong. And happy to be so.

James Dobson was 34 when he arrived two winters ago, sure of himself but realizing he had a lot to prove as head of Nebraska football strength and conditioning.
Dobson knew where to start.

He went after veterans like Matt Slauson, Zach Potter, Joe Ganz and Ty Steinkuhler. Get the Husker leaders on board first, Dobson reasoned, and the rest would follow.

“We hit it off pretty good right off the bat,’’ Dobson said, “by explaining what we were going to do, how we were going to do it and why we’re doing it.
The players appear faster and stronger, and overall a lot better able to compete in the Big XII where speed is at a premium and brute strength often means you're getting left in the dust. So far, Dobson has exceeded my expectations. :thumbs
Well him and Barney. I agree that Dobson was seen as a huge question mark, but he has certainly been able to do some great things in his short time here. His concepts are very simplistic, but make complete sense when applied to the game he is conditioning athletes for. It takes a whole staff to make the ship move, and this guy sets the tone by getting the athletes in the shape they need to be in so Bo can utilize them the way he wants to.

 
I can't say that I was all that concerned with Dobson's hiring. Given the statements Bo made at the time about wanting a physical football team that emphasizes agility and explosive power, I think Pelini made a great choice. If you remember Bo was quoted at the time that when interviewing canditetes for the position he didn't tell them what he was looking for in a S&C coach. Instead he listened to everyones pitch independently and choose the guy that best exemplified the phylosiphy he was looking for. Pelini wasn't looking at coaches for their resume, but instead for what those coaches could bring to his football team. And in that regard I think it was the perfect hire.

I think a key to a lot of Dobson's success though has been due to how quickly the team bought into the new coaches program. Because you can hire the greatest coaches in the world and it won't mean squat if the players don't believe in them.

 
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I didn't and still don't have a problem with Dobson's hiring, but I do find it a little alarming the number of injuries our players have sustained during the season.

It's football, and injuries are inevitable, but I don't recall having problems on this large of a scale when Eppley was in charge. Maybe I am not remembering correctly, but it seemed like the players were more durable week in and week out.

 
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