I am a Nebraska football fan primarily because I've lived here most of my life. But I'm also drawn to tradition and excellence, which is, I suppose, why I have remained a fan. The latter is also the reason that I am so passionate about North Carolina basketball.
Now I know this is not tarheelblue.com, and nobody on here really wants to hear about Carolina, but because I follow these two teams so closely, I have noticed some parallels that I'm sure others have noticed regarding the fall from grace that the two programs have suffered, and the return to prominance that the Heels have made, and that the Huskers hope to.
Here's UNC's story for those who don't know with parenthetical comparisons to the Huskers.
A few years ago, a legend who now has the playing surface named after him, Dean Smith (Tom Osborne) stepped down on the condition that he could name his replacement. He chose Bill Guthridge (Frank Solich) a long-time assistant and friend. Guthridge did OK the first couple of years, but it was evident that he was not getting the players that Smith was, and that the program was headed in a bad direction. The University made the difficult decision to let him go. He was replaced with a younger coach with ties to the program and a reputation for intensity and attention to detail, Matt Doherty (Bill Callahan). Doherty had achieved success at his previous job under tremendous pressure at a place with a huge and loyal fan base, Notre Dame (Oakland Raiders). True to his reputation, Doherty brought in the big guns, but suffered unprecedented failure in his first season, going 8-20 (5-6). The Heels weren't playing in any post-season tournament for the first time in over three decades (Huskers, since the '60's), but they had snagged three of the top players in the nation, Sean May, Rashad McCants, and Raymond Felton (take your pick-- Zack Bowman, Harrison Beck, Marlon Luckey). However, there were grumblings. The players felt that Doherty didn't listen, and was resistant to make changes to things that he thought should work. Some players left the program, some tried to go pro early, and some were threatening to leave. Despite improvement in his second season, Doherty was let go and Roy Williams was hired. Williams will take Doherty's players and try to win a national championship tomorrow. The seniors were the group that went 8-20 as freshmen.
So, does anybody think that Callahan is our Doherty? Are we a year away from success, or a coach away? Or do I need a hobby? (Admittedly, comparing basketball to football is a stretch...)
C-Husker
Now I know this is not tarheelblue.com, and nobody on here really wants to hear about Carolina, but because I follow these two teams so closely, I have noticed some parallels that I'm sure others have noticed regarding the fall from grace that the two programs have suffered, and the return to prominance that the Heels have made, and that the Huskers hope to.
Here's UNC's story for those who don't know with parenthetical comparisons to the Huskers.
A few years ago, a legend who now has the playing surface named after him, Dean Smith (Tom Osborne) stepped down on the condition that he could name his replacement. He chose Bill Guthridge (Frank Solich) a long-time assistant and friend. Guthridge did OK the first couple of years, but it was evident that he was not getting the players that Smith was, and that the program was headed in a bad direction. The University made the difficult decision to let him go. He was replaced with a younger coach with ties to the program and a reputation for intensity and attention to detail, Matt Doherty (Bill Callahan). Doherty had achieved success at his previous job under tremendous pressure at a place with a huge and loyal fan base, Notre Dame (Oakland Raiders). True to his reputation, Doherty brought in the big guns, but suffered unprecedented failure in his first season, going 8-20 (5-6). The Heels weren't playing in any post-season tournament for the first time in over three decades (Huskers, since the '60's), but they had snagged three of the top players in the nation, Sean May, Rashad McCants, and Raymond Felton (take your pick-- Zack Bowman, Harrison Beck, Marlon Luckey). However, there were grumblings. The players felt that Doherty didn't listen, and was resistant to make changes to things that he thought should work. Some players left the program, some tried to go pro early, and some were threatening to leave. Despite improvement in his second season, Doherty was let go and Roy Williams was hired. Williams will take Doherty's players and try to win a national championship tomorrow. The seniors were the group that went 8-20 as freshmen.
So, does anybody think that Callahan is our Doherty? Are we a year away from success, or a coach away? Or do I need a hobby? (Admittedly, comparing basketball to football is a stretch...)
C-Husker
