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Husker nation headache
Posted November 29, 2007
There's confusion in Husker nation. Interim A.D. Tom Osborne on Thursday named himself interim head coach. Whether he next makes himself interim mayor of Lincoln remains to be seen, but fact is, Ozzie is finding out that picking a new commander for the Husker football team isn't so easy.
It would appear that ex-NU quarterback Turner Gill isn't the answer, or Ozzie would name him today. Thus, it seems T.O. is waiting on Bo Pelini. But the problem there is that Bo would likely want to be named LSU's head coach if Les Miles leaves for Michigan -- and Miles is definitely a candidate there. Bo is going to wait, which means Ozzie has to wait, which means Ozzie is now recruiting ...
Which is a good thing if the only players NU recruits are from Nebraska. Youth from the state still worship faithfully at the Shrine of Osborne.
But elsewhere around the nation, high school kids don't know Tom Osborne from the real Ozzie O. Tom Osborne's name just doesn't hold the sway it did 10 years ago. Meanwhile, Husker nation is finding out -- once again -- that the Nebraska job isn't the plum everyone there wants to believe it is.
The obvious hope in Lincoln is that Ozzie can help keep the recruits in line until he gets his man. But every day without a head coach is another day the Huskers run the risk of losing a recruit.
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Posted by rodrigo on November 29, 2007 at 4:30 p.m.
Plum? Neill, that job is NO-win. To be successful you have to win 10 to 12 games a year and contend for the Big 12 and national titles on an annual basis, otherwise, all those "super" fans are spittin' bile cuz the only thing the state has going for it is going in the wrong the direction. Only someone with a death wish will volunteer for this dance.
Posted by Realist on November 29, 2007 at 4:34 p.m.
I detect more than a little sarcasm in your article. Tom Osborne, a coaching legend, will be a definite plus for the Husker's recruiting. In spite of what you hope, Dr. Tom's reputation will open a lot of recruit's doors. I also sense a bit of fear in your article.
Posted by SnowBuff on November 29, 2007 at 5:26 p.m.
I would think that this smacks of desperation. These kids are smart. They know Dr. Tom wanted to hire somebody right quick... but nobody wants the job.
He will close at least as many doors with this obvious sign of desperation as he opens. To bad not even golden boy gill wants the job. You reap what you sow huskers. Firing a 9-3 coach will haunt you.
Posted by Realist on November 29, 2007 at 6:36 p.m.
SnowBuff, Where did you get the idea that no one wants the Husker job? It has not been offered to anyone yet and Dr. Tom apparently is not through with his interviews. When he offers, it will be accepted. There doesn't seem to be any sign of desperation. Also, he is on the recruiting trail and that is a good sign!!!!
Posted by Ruckus on November 29, 2007 at 7:23 p.m.
Nice try Realist (or should we just cut the bull and call you Dr. Tom?), but if I'm a high school kid, I'm not impressed by some 70 year old fogey who hasn't coached football in 10 years and can't figure out whether he wants to be a senator, an athletic director, or a coach.
Posted by noslackbc on November 30, 2007 at 6:39 a.m.
Plum? How many coaches turned down the job offered by AD Peterson before a fired Raiders coach took it? The BCA is watching.
Posted by extrapoint on November 30, 2007 at 7:26 a.m.
Gill realizes better than anyone what a no win situation that job is. Pelini is getting his jollies doing the snub in reverse. Good for him.
Some guys on a husker site. were dreading the possibility of the diety offering the job to his good buddy Glen Mason. That would crack me up.
Realist, Are you twisting in the wind?
Posted by Horns_and_Cape on November 30, 2007 at 7:33 a.m.
It will be interesting to see if Nebraska nation can exhibit patience and get excited about signs of progress during the next half decade. I'm looking forward to seeing a downward trend in the NU yard flag index as bodies start to roll of their mule drawn band wagon. Next year will be their two and ten. Whose gonna be your Buddha, Nebraska?
Posted by Black_Rob on November 30, 2007 at 2 p.m.
Picture the scene from Boyz in the Hood, where the black coach comes on the recruiting visit. Now picture old man Dr Tom rolling through Compton to visit the next Reggie Bush. Hahahahaha
Love it.