I had a thought.....well, OK.....it wasn't originally my thought, but since the originator doesn't post online, I can take credit.....or blame. That thought was this move might be an example of what Scott needs to do to change culture.
When I heard Scott talk about culture change, for me it meant work ethic, motivation, team first etc. but I might have missed the point...….at least partially. It just might mean that players have a hard time fitting in with two, maybe three, worlds. It might mean that Scott is trying to encourage an environment where the team provides many of the social, and emotional, needs players at Nebraska face. Scott made mention that he loves players who live football, but if a player is going to focus on studies, social relationships, and still focus on football, the program needs to provide a broader support system for the players so many of these needs aren't filled by disruptive outside influences.
I think he wanted team leaders to provide this. I don't think it worked as well as he would have liked. Team leaders are still peers, and peers no matter how vocal, how good of players, are still, well, peers. With this diverse group from all over the nation, with differing cultures, and home lives, it's just a hard sell for many players.
It would be nice if the coaches could spend more time with the players, but the ncaa, and honestly the size of this program, have made that impossible. Step in volunteers. They just might fill a void that others can't reach. Get the right volunteers. Monitor the interaction closely...…..and this just might work.
