Husker SquareOffs

63%
Two or fewer WINNER

23

37%
Three or more

16

63%
Two or fewer

23 Comments
Josh Smith
14
Josh Smith

Ron Brown...........that's it. Everyone else needs to go. I feel that Ron is essential to out program as he knows our program and tradition better than any other coach. It's important to keep someone around that knows about our tradition and history. Ron is also just a great person to have around maturing adults.

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Patrick Nelson
3
Patrick Nelson

Brown he's done a great job

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Daniel Revas
2
Daniel Revas

Coach Kaz and Coach Warren are proven as Position Coaches with their Units doing well, and especially Warren can Recruit.

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Alan Blackburn
1
Alan Blackburn

I like Ron Brown, Charlton Warren, and coach Rich Kazinski. Solid coaches and role models.

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Gene Brantz
1
Gene Brantz

I would like Warren and Brown retained for sure. Plus the DL coach Kaczenski would be great.

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David Foster
1
David Foster

Ron Brown only.

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Tristan Shacklett
1
Tristan Shacklett

Ron Brown needs to stay. Everyone else needs to go find new homes!

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Walter Calkins
1
Walter Calkins

I hope he keeps Warren and coach Kaz.

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Robert Lloyd
1
Robert Lloyd

With such turmoil caused by Pelini and his attitude and anti-social behavior, I think a clean start for everyone might be best.

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KevinG
1
KevinG

Time for some "new blood". A few of them may be worthy of keeping around but I feel at the very most make it 1 or 2. I'm still waiting for a splash coordinator hire (not looking like it is going to happen).

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Billie Mann
0
Billie Mann

I felt at times we were out coached and needed assistants with more of a track record.

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El Macho Borracho
0
El Macho Borracho

1. Warren. That's It. Everyone else was garbage.

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Russ Meyer
0
Russ Meyer

Warren,Brown, that's it

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Brad LeFever
0
Brad LeFever

Charlton Warren and Rick Kaczenski that's all I believe are must keep coaches.

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Jeremy Greer
0
Jeremy Greer

Really only two worth keeping

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Visitor
0
Visitor

Warren and Kac! Others need to go....I could see Brown staying as well. Has the ability to know NU landscape.

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Joe Smith
0
Joe Smith

opportunities for some high power coaches

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David W Puckett
0
David W Puckett

because we need fresh ideas and improvement

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Dan Novak
0
Dan Novak

Brown and Kaz That's it!

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Dan Tweedy
0
Dan Tweedy

Just two. Brown and Fisher. Both have done a fantastic job. I like Barney, too. He just may have bigger fish to fry. Best of luck to him.

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Visitor
0
Visitor

warren and brown

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Ed Payne
0
Ed Payne

Ron Brown has proven himself year after year.

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37%
Three or more

16 Comments
Peter Rygol
24
Peter Rygol

Brown, Warren, Kaz and Fisher

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Sean Fluharty
17
Sean Fluharty

I'd really like to see him keep Kaz, Warren, and Brown.

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Chuck Dickinson
2
Chuck Dickinson

D line running back defensive back

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Gene Baker
1
Gene Baker

Warren, Fisher, Brown & Kazz. These are the best of Bo'so crew. They will help with the continued quality of play and a smooth transition for this incoming recruits. This a very good incoming class.

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Donovan Ketzler
1
Donovan Ketzler

I think that Coach Riley should keep Ron Brown. He provides the link to the past and produces good players and better men. I also feel that Charlton Warren is a good coach and a great recruiter. Finally Rick Kaczenski should stay given the work he has done with the defensive line and the fact that he will bring the twins in from Missouri.

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Matt Krieger
1
Matt Krieger

Brown - Look at the development in the players he has coached. Great recruiter. Also good ties to the traditions of the past. Kaz - Has consistently been the best part of the defense since he has been hear. Great recruiter. Players love playing for him. Warren - Great recruiter, good development of Davie and Gerry over the past year. Fischer - Despite the heavy losses at WR due to injury the past two years, this group has been solid. Look at their downfield blocking. Players love the guy. Great recruiter. All in all, keeping the four best recruiters from the previous staff, and some really good coaches. I have a hard time believing we can see that great of upgrades from what we already have (which is pretty good).

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Jared C Sharman
0
Jared C Sharman

Or three best units have been our running backs, D-line, and secondary (just look at Gerry's development). Keep Ron, Kaz, and Warren. Obivously, Warren has already been decided.

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Visitor
0
Visitor

We have three excellent coaches on the existing staff that aren't necessarily Pelini guys; Coach Brown, Coach Warren and Coach Katz. Retaining these three and bring in powerhouse O & D Coordinators

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Brad Bredenkamp
0
Brad Bredenkamp

He should retain at least Ron Brown, Charlton Warren, and Coach Kaczinski, whose units were all performing well,.

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Tom Duncan
0
Tom Duncan

I agree with Peter, Warren, Brown, Kaz and Fisher should all be retained.

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Danny Chen
0
Danny Chen

brown, katz and warren

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Weston Junker
0
Weston Junker

Ron Brown, Kaz, Warren, Fischer.

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Sandman
0
Sandman

Katz,Warren, Brown. All key to recruiting, excellent coaches, continuity. I don't think Coach Riley could find 3 better at their positions.

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Bob Maynard
0
Bob Maynard

Brown, Warren, Fisher and Kaz.

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Stephen Johnson
0
Stephen Johnson

The relationships with the players is important. The pass defense has been exceptional. We should not lose that.

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Keith Petrie
0
Keith Petrie

Brown Definitely! Warren...Kazinski... Fisher...Garrison...Dobson. At least the first 4. I don't think you have a choice like on Jeff Jamrog since he's an assistant AD and what do you do with Grad assistants? Joe Ganz is a GA. But we've got some resources for Riley right there on the Remaining Staff.

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34%
Yes

9

66%
No WINNER

16

34%
Yes

9 Comments
El Macho Borracho
7
El Macho Borracho

If Armstrong JR doesn't chuck bombs under pressure which are slightly more effective than punting on first down....And if Poopoocheese doesn't coach the D

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Dirk Schlicht
1
Dirk Schlicht

There should be big chips on the players' shoulders. When a well liked coach leaves the team usually performs well in support. USC also doesn't play hard the whole game. They are beatable.

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Visitor
1
Visitor

Players will play inspired i believe

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Mike Myers
0
Mike Myers

They will play loose and motivated to win it for Pride and a Pelini

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Jeff Gronewold
0
Jeff Gronewold

They will work hard to end the year positively!

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Deanne Brown
0
Deanne Brown

I think we would beat USC with any coach. OUR KUNG FU IS STRONG!

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Nik Bjelland-Miller
0
Nik Bjelland-Miller

There will be some extra motivation to win one last one for Bo.

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Stephen Johnson
0
Stephen Johnson

It all depends on which Nebraska team shows up on game day.

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66%
No

16 Comments
Peter Rygol
16
Peter Rygol

I just don't have confidence that the coaches will have this team prepared well enough to play to this team's full potential. They teach these kids to think and not react. Always a step behind. Also evidenced by a lack of playing using basic fundamentals. Also because TA can't hit the broadside of a barn.

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Steve Olson
2
Steve Olson

Need Bo. Great group of coaches and players destroyed by change

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Ron Huffman
2
Ron Huffman

Year after year. ..changes and improvements should have been obvious. .every player should have been a huge difference. ..instead of a small handful. .

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Visitor
1
Visitor

Losing Pelini has deflated them too much

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Greg Booker
1
Greg Booker

Big game. Bad outcome

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Bob Dickson
1
Bob Dickson

Isnt it obvious?

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Visitor
0
Visitor

They lack execution and motivation. The coaches don't know how to make half time adjustments and they will not pull the starters no matter how bad they are doing.

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James Traut
0
James Traut

USC demonstrated a lot of team speed versus Notre Dame. McNeese State players noted the Huskers' lack of speed.

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Rizeabuv Yorzelf
0
Rizeabuv Yorzelf

Too many distractions on the NU side to stay focused on USC.

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Visitor
0
Visitor

Same team, same system...

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Bonnie Guy
0
Bonnie Guy

I'd have voted this way whether Coach Pelini was gone or not - based on what I saw this year, I just don't think this team hangs with USC, especially as this is virtually a home game for the opponent, Hopefully Ameer is healthy, and Randy, but we'll see.

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Wednesday Punk
0
Wednesday Punk

Not to be a negative Nellie, but i just don't think they will hang with USC for more than a qtr (maybe)..Not a lot of motivation for this one i dont believe.....Ill watch, but, not expecting much. GBR!

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Lane Liley
0
Lane Liley

First off it is USC at home. Second, although I believe there is enough motivation for the players, they are still smarting from the change. I suspect that they will put up a fight at first and then when things get real tough, they will fold as their heart probably isn't there.

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Gene Lydick
0
Gene Lydick

I don't believe they will be very focused for this game.

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Matthew J. Meyer
0
Matthew J. Meyer

We have a talent deficit, a coaching deficit, and a lack of motivation on players parts because of all the upheaval.

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60%
Yes WINNER

33

40%
No

23

60%
Yes

33 Comments
Butch McCown
9
Butch McCown

Did good things at OSU with minimal talent.....

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Ryan Hartung
8
Ryan Hartung

There needs to be a maybe, but if pushed I'm leaning more towards yes than no. He's had some great wins with a medium-tiered program. Could be a good hire, only time will tell.

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Robert Hegler
3
Robert Hegler

Not sure! But, I will give the guy a chance. At least he has some head coaching experience. Apparently, knows how to develop player talent. Most importantly, does not scream at the players, motivates through teaching. He now has facilities and a huge stadium. All he needs to do is hire a competent staff and recruit.

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Scott Peterson
3
Scott Peterson

Lots of experience. Those who know him are saying its a great hire. With NU resources, he'll be able to get quality and experienced coaches. With his experience, he'll have lots of choices.

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Jerry Mills
2
Jerry Mills

I always hated Bo's sideline antics with the yelling and screaming coaching style. Mike sounds like the complete opposite of that and I will be rooting for him to succeed. Go Big Red!

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Dave Backhaus
2
Dave Backhaus

after doing some research on Coach Riley, he seems like a good fit and a good face for the program. Seems like a great recruiter plus is well respected by just about everyone in the know.... Hopefully, this translates to some big wins here are NU! GBR!

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Lane Liley
2
Lane Liley

I agree. There should be a maybe. Verdict will be out on this one. I would be very curious to hear how riley answered the question on how he thinks he can take the program to championship caliber. We shall see. In any case, a change was needed.

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J.c. Nore
2
J.c. Nore

I'm willing to give him a chance, been a Beaver fan for a while, and this guys is a class act. Will be very interesting to see what this coach does behind the wheel of something with the resources of Nebraska.

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Paul Konshak
1
Paul Konshak

Has a good reputation on and off the field.

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Visitor
1
Visitor

Great person, first offi, tireless person in all facets of coaching

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Zach Miller
1
Zach Miller

If his peers think he's an excellent coach, who am I to disagree?

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Ervin Ashley
1
Ervin Ashley

Experts like him. So I like him. 'nuff said.

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Bob Dickson
1
Bob Dickson

He's an all around professional which will be a breath of fresh air. Hey...he can even put together intelligent sentences

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Scott Reed Schaefer
1
Scott Reed Schaefer

The more I hear about him, the more I like this hire. As he will be 62 before his first Husker game, he will need to surround himself with good and energetic assistants.

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James Stevenson
1
James Stevenson

Got blood from stone at OSU. Great CEO type. Let's ensure he has resources. Taking his one shot at glory now. We can get behind him

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Greg Humlicek
1
Greg Humlicek

Yes, if we got Frost as OC/assistant HC. Then Riley gets his desire to coach at an elite program while grooming Frost for the job when he retires in a few years.

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Garrick Baxter
1
Garrick Baxter

Patience, Husker Nation. Riley will turn out to be a good hire and Nebraska will be competitive in the conference andnationally.

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Jeffrey Vrana
1
Jeffrey Vrana

A fast painless process for the fans. This gives the players peace of mind going into the bowl game.tv

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Nolan Mast
1
Nolan Mast

He has always done more with less, so I think this could be a sleeping giant! He has some huge upset wins!!! Let's see what he can do with some of the best resources in the country!!! GO BIG RED!!!

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Joseph Primm
1
Joseph Primm

Experience, leadership....and simply, get over it and let's see what he can do.

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Ed Lindell
0
Ed Lindell

I likes Mike !

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Peter Rygol
0
Peter Rygol

Riley is certainly not the big splash everyone seemed to want. But on a scale of things I think he's as good and as solid as a coach can get. If Riley puts a solid core around him, something Bo did not do and it got him fired, and recruits well then this is a good choice.

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Mark Schlautman
0
Mark Schlautman

Riley is good. With an assistant coach salary budget more than double what he had at Oregon State, expect Riley to bring in some real coaching talent. I also want to see his pro-style offense. Goodbye Tommy "deep passes are never covered" Armstrong.

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Ron Huffman
0
Ron Huffman

Excellent recruiter pro style offense. ..Nebraska fans need change ..

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Daniel Revas
0
Daniel Revas

Kinda like Jerry Kill, has done more with less. Give him all of the advantages that comes with Nebraska, he should do very well.

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Dean Iversen
0
Dean Iversen

A hire from left field... good coach who can develop talent and win against top 10 teams with sub-par talent. But I don't see any championships in NCAA football in his record and a worse overall record against above-.500 teams.... we'll just have to see.

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Troy Low
0
Troy Low

Coach Riley did some damage in the PAC12 with inferior talent and resources. Excited to see what he can do with more talent and resources at the helm of the Huskers.

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Jeff Schrage
0
Jeff Schrage

Most coaching changes result in an opposite personality or offensive/defensive minded coach.This hire does both.

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B1GRedFootball
0
B1GRedFootball

Riley has a tremendous recruiting base in California and he has head coach experience

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Visitor
0
Visitor

Looks like he's a fun guy (i.e. water balloon fights, inner-tube sumo wrestling, etc)! ...oh, and "he doesn't cuss or use curse words", that's awesome! No more f-bomb rants either recorded or on the sidelines towards the fan base, individual players, the officials, etc etc. Sounds like more of a traditional "midwest, Nebraska-style values" sort of guy. Refreshing!

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Loren Zimmerman II
0
Loren Zimmerman II

It's a gamble regardless who you hire. People will never understand that. TO wasn't great at the beginning of his coaching career and ended with a dynasty. Every person is different with every program. I give this some credit.

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40%
No

23 Comments
Visitor
22
Visitor

Too early to tell...but hiring Coach Riley was so far from right field he was NOT even on the radar! Firing Bo Pelini meant a dire need for a "Shock and Aw" hire at Nebraska and, Mr. Eichorst, this was NOT it!! Message to Mr. Eichorst and Mr. Perlman, consider this your warning order because if Coach Riley fails - YOU'RE FIRED!! Respectfully, LTC Greg Hutcheson Respectfully,

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Brian Hayes
4
Brian Hayes

The guy is a nice guy by all accounts, but: • Is a .550 career coach with 0 championships in 17 college seasons • Is a mediocre, at best, recruiter; • Gets routinely blown out by his rival; • His NFL/West-Coast offense is a poor fit for our climate and tradition, and moreover requires Top 10 QB and WR talent to work effectively, neither of which we recruit well; and • Went 5-7 this season and supposedly was on the hot seat... at Oregon State. And he's 61! So even if he is a home run hire, we're back to square 1 in 5-8 years.

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Eric Paulak
4
Eric Paulak

He may be a great coach, but he is 61 years old. Tom Osborne retired as coach at age 60. This was not a build a legacy hire but an interim move.

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Jeremy Moon
4
Jeremy Moon

averages 6.5 wins and no conference championships in a weak PAC-10. No thanks!! Lateral move, should have kept Pelini and used that 7.5 million to hire the best assistants money could buy! Terrible hire!

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Sean Fluharty
2
Sean Fluharty

I am convinced that we needed a big-name hire, someone who is a proven winner and top-notch recruiter, someone who would make a splash and let other teams know that we're serious about being elite. No offense to Riley, but he's none of the above.

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Josh Smith
2
Josh Smith

what a joke. Eichorst better hope this guy wins at least 8 games his first season. If this guy falters, Eichorst is going out the door with him. Seems to me Nebraska football has just taken a step back and football is no longer what it used to be here.

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James Krohn
2
James Krohn

While I will give him my support I really don't see him as an upgrade with the exception of the fact the media guys apparently love him. We may have just found the Doc Sadler of college football.

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Scott Bainbridge
2
Scott Bainbridge

Nine wins a year with Bo isn't good enough, so we hire this guy? Are you kidding me?

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Terry Oswald
2
Terry Oswald

Clearly a step down rather than up with his dismal pro record, his poor in conference record, his losses against average opponents this year and more...

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Patrick Louden
2
Patrick Louden

worse record against ranked teams. .541 win percentage. zero conference titles

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Steve Hansen
2
Steve Hansen

People listen I am gonna throw this out - unless he hires Scott Frost as OC to groom him for the head coach job this isn't what I had hoped for. This guy is 61 so it is like he is a youngster so not out of the realm the approach Frost with this - AND we need a DC so we will see who he brings in there. On the surface though not impressed!!

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Troy J. Hatch
1
Troy J. Hatch

We needed a coach who can win, not one with a .500 record. WTF?

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Ian Cowan
0
Ian Cowan

Ignore the spin from columnists and pundits, how Riley is an amazing coach but just didn't have the resources and so that's why he couldn't win more than 9 games (and that only once in a great while). You know what good coaches do? They win no matter where they're at. Urban Meyer Took over a Ball St team that was fucking wretched. All he did was increase their win total by 6 in his first year, and increase it again the next year. Then he went to a middling, .500ish Utah program and won the conference title his first two years, going a perfect 12-0 in year 2. Then he went to Florida. Nick Saban Took over a Michigan St program that hadn't won more than 6 games in any of the previous four seasons and gone winless the season before he arrived. Went .500 or better his first four seasons there before breaking through to a 9-2 record his fifth year. Then he went to LSU. Jim Tressel Took a Youngstown St team that hadn't been to the postseason in the 5 years previous before his arrival to a conference title and playoffs in his second year and over the next 13 seasons only had two sub-.500 seasons, 9 playoff appearances, 7 double digit win seasons, and four national championships. Bill Snyder Probably the most sobering comparison, as Snyder took over literally the worst program in the country. From wikipedia: "Kansas State had a cumulative record of 299–510 (.370) in 93 years of play, which was easily the most losses of any team in Division I-A at the time. The school had been to only one bowl game (the 1982 Independence Bowl), had not won a conference title since 1934 and had enjoyed four winning seasons in the previous 44 years (including two in the previous 34 years). The program had also not won a game since October 1986, going 0-26-1 in that time." By Snyder's 5th season he won 9 games and started a streak of 11 consecutive bowl appearances and eight consecutive 9+ win seasons. He didn't hover around .500, he won a fuckload of games and built Kansas St up from the worst team in all of football into a perennial contender for the conference title. Frank Solich Ohio had gone 11-35 over the last four seasons. In Frank's 10 seasons there, they have gone .500 or better 8 times, 9 or more wins 4 times. So, 80% of the time he has a winning record, 40% of the time it's 9+. Let's compare that to Mike Riley. Mike Riley Before his first tenure, OSU went 11-33 the four seasons previous -- almost identical to pre-Solich Ohio. 14 seasons at Oregon St. Eight .500 or better seasons. Four 9+ win seasons. So, 57% of the time he has a winning record. 29% of the time it's 9+. And I assure you, the blowout loss stats (losing by 20+) are even more depressing. Given that they entered into almost identical situations, the stats show that Frank Solich is an approximately 50% better coach than Mike Riley, going by record. Who did we get? We got a significantly worse version of Frank Solich.

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William Kwong
0
William Kwong

Bo is a better coach and his record proves it.

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Derek Howard
0
Derek Howard

It's another former AFC West coach replacing the recent Nebraska coach who was 9-3. Plus Riley was 5-7 this year, Callahan's record his last year at NU.

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Michael Lovitt
0
Michael Lovitt

I think they should have gone for a bigger name. Someone that could rebuild the defense to the form of the glory days.

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Bill Lee
0
Bill Lee

What did you all expect from an AD who is only biding his time at Nebraska until the Wisconsin job opens up ? This is not even a lateral move. It is a step backwards. Get ready to revisit the Callahan years people

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T David Andrew M
0
T David Andrew M

5-7 last season, a 93-80 record at Oregon St. Does not say to me that he won enough of the games that mattered. It does not scream Championships, It says to me that we traded down because people couldn't handle a passionate coach. I hope things go well, however if things go south, we deserve it!

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Christian Bengel
0
Christian Bengel

Good grief...I'm not sure longevity and stability were considered in this decision. Additionally it wasn't the right Oregon school most of us were hoping to get a coach from. I'm nervous that we'll see a losing season out of the gate, but of course I wasn't asked. I certainly want this guy to succeed, but, I'm not sure what Vienna Sausage metric was used to determine his "successes".

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Jim Hageman
0
Jim Hageman

No record of success and he has been at this a long time. He also doesn't have many years left before he retires.

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Norman Curfman
0
Norman Curfman

Corvallis isn't the only place he has coached. He has lost at most everywhere he has coached. I'm glad he is a great guy. Now translate that to wins. His defense also has a problem tackling in space. So did Pelini's team. Scott Frost has his team playing for the NC. Nebr will not accept changing a 9/3 coach every year for a once in a while winning season.

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Rizeabuv Yorzelf
0
Rizeabuv Yorzelf

A guy with a proven record of mediocrity at best. I'll do my best to tune out Nebraska football from my life. Shawn what's his face just destroyed any dignity left in Big Red football. Congratulations Shawn!!!

Reply
Ricky Johnston
0
Ricky Johnston

May be a nice man but I am not ready for a repeat of mediocrity.

Reply

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