Long time infrequent poster and longtime lurker. Been around and seen a lot of good posters leave (Rojo comes to mind). My 2 cents. Forgive me, it's long.
I hate what we're going through right now as Husker fans, and I hate corporate buzzwords like "Core Values" but it's needed in a search for a new coach, which I think will be happening soon. Moos HAS to get us back to the core of who we are.
Husker Football is the identity of Nebraska. More so than any other State in the US. We value hard work, consistency, fair play, simplicity, discipline, learning, passion for success, and over achieving, Common traits for many Midwestern and US States where agriculture and farming make up a large part of the history and identity of the State but I've seen and been around a lot of other States and these values just mean more in Nebraska. It is a special place.
Understanding this and the fanbase is the key to success IMO when looking for a new coach and should "drive the strategy." (I know, very corporate like)
Some Key thoughts I went through when pondering this that led me to what seems to be in my humble view the obvious choice for our next coach.
1) Don't sell out. Know who you are and stick to it. Match the core values of the State with your choice for the next coach and their plan for a team identity.
2) On Offense: Be contrarian - don't try and be Ohio State, Alabama, USC, etc. those teams get consistent top talent at all positions throughout the country. Don't run what they do, run something different that they'll have to prepare for one week out of the year.
3) Start with the Line. Both sides of the ball. Not NFL dudes, I'm talking road graders, huge, powerful, and lot's of depth. The kind on offense that run block first. Defensive line, get the best that are out there. Forget about the new NFL style OT's that are 6'9 and look like basketball players, get the maulers that like to smash defenders into the turf. Get back into Texas and SEC States for D Lineman. Bring back O lineman like Fonoti.
4) Hire the best Defensive coordinator money can buy. Break the bank and sell out for the best defenders in the nation on the defensive side of the ball. Get into Florida and the Southeast for Corners, Safety and Linebackers. Hire only the best assistants to coach defense and special teams. Brent Venables? why not, throw out the money, go for it. Bring back pride on defense, consistency...see core values.
5) Focus on winning the division first. Find a way to consistently start beating Wisconsin. Understand you won't beat them at their own game. They are good at what they do. So do something different they'll have to prepare for.
6) Get the best mobile QB in the nation. Not Dual threat, but run first, pass second. Go after the ones being overlooked because they run first pass second...that won't make the NFL as a QB. Have a stable of running backs and bring back the fullback position with Nebraska kids, walkons.
7) Hire the absolute best S&Conditioning coach money can buy...someone proven that fits what your trying to do.
8) Forget about the spread, west coast, zone read, offense as a primary threat. Evey one runs it, they prepare for it all year. Be different. Don't try and out recruit and beat the powerhouse teams at their own game. Be contrarian, be who you are and be better than everyone else at it.
9) Develop the walk on Program. Make it the best it's ever been and talk about it a lot.
Now, who out there currently coaches a contrarian offense, that is run first and consistent (you know what your getting on 3rd & 1), surrounded by disciplined young men that overachieve, minimal to no character issues on the teams he's coached, players play football because they love football and more than likely will not make the NFL? What coach is out there that has a lot of energy, who can recruit Samoans for the offensive and defensive line, linebacker, and QB? A coach that would shake up the Big Ten West division? Hire him and the best D coordinator we can get and let's get back to Nebraska football!
I hate what we're going through right now as Husker fans, and I hate corporate buzzwords like "Core Values" but it's needed in a search for a new coach, which I think will be happening soon. Moos HAS to get us back to the core of who we are.
Husker Football is the identity of Nebraska. More so than any other State in the US. We value hard work, consistency, fair play, simplicity, discipline, learning, passion for success, and over achieving, Common traits for many Midwestern and US States where agriculture and farming make up a large part of the history and identity of the State but I've seen and been around a lot of other States and these values just mean more in Nebraska. It is a special place.
Understanding this and the fanbase is the key to success IMO when looking for a new coach and should "drive the strategy." (I know, very corporate like)
Some Key thoughts I went through when pondering this that led me to what seems to be in my humble view the obvious choice for our next coach.
1) Don't sell out. Know who you are and stick to it. Match the core values of the State with your choice for the next coach and their plan for a team identity.
2) On Offense: Be contrarian - don't try and be Ohio State, Alabama, USC, etc. those teams get consistent top talent at all positions throughout the country. Don't run what they do, run something different that they'll have to prepare for one week out of the year.
3) Start with the Line. Both sides of the ball. Not NFL dudes, I'm talking road graders, huge, powerful, and lot's of depth. The kind on offense that run block first. Defensive line, get the best that are out there. Forget about the new NFL style OT's that are 6'9 and look like basketball players, get the maulers that like to smash defenders into the turf. Get back into Texas and SEC States for D Lineman. Bring back O lineman like Fonoti.
4) Hire the best Defensive coordinator money can buy. Break the bank and sell out for the best defenders in the nation on the defensive side of the ball. Get into Florida and the Southeast for Corners, Safety and Linebackers. Hire only the best assistants to coach defense and special teams. Brent Venables? why not, throw out the money, go for it. Bring back pride on defense, consistency...see core values.
5) Focus on winning the division first. Find a way to consistently start beating Wisconsin. Understand you won't beat them at their own game. They are good at what they do. So do something different they'll have to prepare for.
6) Get the best mobile QB in the nation. Not Dual threat, but run first, pass second. Go after the ones being overlooked because they run first pass second...that won't make the NFL as a QB. Have a stable of running backs and bring back the fullback position with Nebraska kids, walkons.
7) Hire the absolute best S&Conditioning coach money can buy...someone proven that fits what your trying to do.
8) Forget about the spread, west coast, zone read, offense as a primary threat. Evey one runs it, they prepare for it all year. Be different. Don't try and out recruit and beat the powerhouse teams at their own game. Be contrarian, be who you are and be better than everyone else at it.
9) Develop the walk on Program. Make it the best it's ever been and talk about it a lot.
Now, who out there currently coaches a contrarian offense, that is run first and consistent (you know what your getting on 3rd & 1), surrounded by disciplined young men that overachieve, minimal to no character issues on the teams he's coached, players play football because they love football and more than likely will not make the NFL? What coach is out there that has a lot of energy, who can recruit Samoans for the offensive and defensive line, linebacker, and QB? A coach that would shake up the Big Ten West division? Hire him and the best D coordinator we can get and let's get back to Nebraska football!
