Much of the toxicity is caused by Riley's poor coaching. He's already had too much time to screw things up. He's clearly in over his head and has no idea how to fix anything.
I wouldn't say that much of the toxicity is caused by poor coaching, and I do think we're underestimating the effect of the "attitude problem" that exists in this program and on this team. But that doesn't absolve Riley of any blame because I'm willing to bet there would be less of this stuff going on if the Huskers were 6-3 instead of 3-6 (ouch).
Basically, he's inherited a problem and hasn't done much to fix it. But to say the toxicity is caused by Riley is a bit of a stretch; the toxicity existed long before Riley's name came up for the Nebraska job.
Most of the players had bought in early. Through spring ball, we heard lots of good reports.
But how do you expect players to stay motivated when their coach repeatedly makes bonehead moves, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory? How do you expect 2nd string OL to feel when they have no chance of seeing the field? How do you think excellent running backs feel when they have no chance of running the ball due to their pass blocking abilities? How do you think any defensive players feel when they're stuck with Banker?
How do you think they feel when they know they would likely be 9-0 if Pelini was still here?
