POLL: How many more wins does MR need to be back in 2018

[Red Storm Rising]

Just curious --what is the magic number for MR to be retained--no right answer here folks--just opinions

GBR

 

[ATX_Husker]

I think the very minimum requirement is 6 wins/bowl eligibility. If Riley & Co can accomplish that then there is at least grounds for the discussion to take place on keeping Riley another year, if our staff fails to guide our team to a bowl then I don't think anyone is going to want to entertain the thought. Especially if their sites are set on Frost and they think he is going to jump ship at the end of the year then they won't want to miss that boat...

 

[DrThunder]

Idk if I can just state it's a number...i could say he has to win out...or can lose only one...but what if that one loss is a bigger beating than OSU gave us by Penn State (which I believe is possible and maybe even likely) that means two of our worst losses in the modern era were this season...how does that get a pass?

 

[Huskerfan2000]

The number of wins is irrelevant, it is how the team is playing that matters most, and should!

 

[joshuahuskers]

I think he has to win out. 7-5 isn't going to do it. Even if he wins out, I'm not so sure he will be back.

 

[cornstar]

I guess it depends on who you're asking.

If you're asking me, the decision to move on has already been made.

If you're asking the ones making the call, I think that they SHOULD have already made the decision to move on.

My fear is that an embarrassing 6 & 6 or 7 & 5 season keeps him around 1 more year. That would be unacceptable.

 

[Huskerfan2000]

The top dogs have spoken, championships are what they expect and we have not sniffed that since Mike was hired.

EDIT: geez, I just realized I said "is what"..

 

[cornstar]

The top dogs have spoken, championships is what they expect and we have not sniffed that since Mike was hired.

I hope you're right, but I remain skeptical.

ON one hand, Green and Bounds spoke loud, and Moos is known as a guy to fix football

On the other, ADBM has made it seem that no decisions have been made and that he will evaluate the football program at the present time. I'd like to believe in him.

 

[Hunchback Johnny]

Must win four of five
if so rolll the dice once more
if not bring on frost

 

[uno_911]

This all depends on how Moos evaluates the program in its current state. While wins and losses is a key important barometer of the program, it is not the only one. I'm not an AD, so I only know so much of what he will be looking for, but what if through his discussions with Riley about Riley's short and long term plans for the program, he likes what he hears. Is it possibly then for us to only have 3 more wins and Riley is given one more year to prove that his plan is taking the program in the right direction? I see it as a possibility, even if not a likely one. Maybe Moos wants to see another year with a the influx of young talent. It will be interesting to see how the next 6 weeks plays out for sure.

 

[cornstar]

This all depends on how Moos evaluates the program in its current state. While wins and losses is a key important barometer of the program, it is not the only one. I'm not an AD, so I only know so much of what he will be looking for, but what if through his discussions with Riley about Riley's short and long term plans for the program, he likes what he hears. Is it possibly then for us to only have 3 more wins and Riley is given one more year to prove that his plan is taking the program in the right direction? I see it as a possibility, even if not a likely one. Maybe Moos wants to see another year with a the influx of young talent. It will be interesting to see how the next 6 weeks plays out for sure.

I agree that this is very possible.

It's really tough for me to get a strong sense of what will happen at this point.

A loss to Purdue or a sub .500 season, and I think we all know what will happen.

Edit: One other thing to consider, if the team limps to a 7-5 record while playing uninspired football and the stadium isn't full, it may make the decision to go in a different direction easier.

 

[Red Storm Rising]

The number of wins is irrelevant, it is how the team is playing that matters most, and should!

Irrelevant??? Really?? Are you saying we could lose the last 5 and MR could keep his job as long as we were competitive in those games?

I said there were no wrong answers--guess I was wrong

GBR

 

[Removed Spleen of Jordan]

I voted 4-1 because I think that would make the decision interesting or at least debated. I have to think the die is already cast however. You don't fire the AD to keep the current HC.

 

[HuskerNStL]

I think the train has left the station. Even if somehow the Huskers were able to win out and do so convincingly (with the exception of beating Penn St. by even 1 pt.), I think we'll have a new coach by Jan. 10.

IMO at this point, it's about more than winning. It's about long-term growth and the overall "health" of the program. It seems we finally have a President and Chancellor that understand Husker football is more than just Saturdays in the fall. The Husker football program provides an identity for not only the University but also for the state of Nebraska. A strong football program in Lincoln directly or indirectly benefits all sports, academics, research, the university endowment etc., etc. Don't get me wrong, the university can survive as a strong institution without a powerhouse football program however for UNL, the football program helps to provide a lot more opportunities for non-football related ventures. It's also about bringing a fractured fan-base together. I'm also thinking that while some may not have SF as their #1 choice, very few would angrily disagree. Also, if the program is truly in need of a 4-5 year "rebuild" the likelihood of the fan-base giving SF that time is higher than with most any other potential head coach. Many people say that all they want is "progress and improvement" not instant results. SF can provide that even if it's only in attitude and motivation until all the pieces come together.

As I have said before... I support Riley, this staff, these players and this team. I just don't think it's going to work out.

Just typing out loud. Flame away. I can take it.

 

[cornstar]

I think the train has left the station. If somehow the Huskers were able to win out and do so convincingly (with the exception of beating Penn St. by even 1 pt.), I think we'll have a new coach by Jan. 10.

IMO at this point, it's about more than winning. It's about long-term growth and the overall "health" of the program. It seems we finally have a President and Chancellor that understand Husker football is more than just Saturdays in the fall. The Husker football program provides an identity for not only the University but also for the state of Nebraska. A strong football program in Lincoln directly or indirectly benefits all sports, academics, research, the university endowment etc., etc. Don't get me wrong, the university can survive as a strong institution without a powerhouse football program however for UNL, the football program helps to provide a lot more opportunities for non-football related ventures. It's also about bringing a fractured fan-base together. I'm also thinking that while some may not have SF as their #1 choice, very few would angrily disagree. Also, if the program is truly in need of a 4-5 year "rebuild" the likelihood of the fan-base giving SF that time is higher than with most any other potential head coach. Many people say that all they want is "progress and improvement" not instant results. SF can provide that even if it's only in attitude and motivation until all the pieces come together.

As I have said before... I support Riley, this staff, these players and this team. I just don't think it's going to work out.

Just typing out loud. Flame away. I can take it.

Excellent post.

As to the bolded, I hope (in case Riley is gone) that a coach is in place sooner.

Early signing day is Dec. 20th, (I think) and they said on the radio that 70% of the recruits are expected to sign on that date.

The funny thing is most people wanted that early date, but it will hinder recruiting when making a coaching change.

 

[Huskerfan2000]

Irrelevant??? Really?? Are you saying we could lose the last 5 and MR could keep his job as long as we were competitive in those games?

I said there were no wrong answers--guess I was wrong

GBR

It would make a huge difference, that is for sure... but again, the top dogs are on record as saying they expect to compete for championships.

So, no, Mike can't lose the last 5 and keep his job. I am fairly certain you already knew what I meant.

 

[SUHnami]

If we lose to Purdue this week then IMO I feel his time is over in Lincoln. Regardless if he won the rest of their games. If he wins 4 of 5 win the lone loss coming to PSU then I think we see him back. However a 6-6 record IMO will get him shown the door as most likely those losses come against PSU and to IOWA for a 3rd year in a row.

 

[Hunchback Johnny]

we win four of five
huskers shock penn state on road
lose to iowa

 

[HuskerFan2002]

I don't think the number of wins out of the next five really matters. Think the writing is on the wall for Riley.

 

[Huusker]

I don't think there is a magic number.

No matter the upcoming results, if Scott Frost is willing to come to Lincoln, that will be the end of the Riley regime. But I'm not convinced Frost is ready to make the move. He might want to stay in Orlando for a time. In that case, I think Moos needs to hit a home run with someone else. He'd need to coax Bob Stoops out of retirement (unlikely) or steal away some big-time P5 coach.

If neither Frost nor a home run hire is available, Moos might give Riley one more year, even at 3-9. That would keep the recruiting class together, and buy him time to work on a better strategy.

This decision will shape Moos' career and perhaps the next 10-20 years of Nebraska football. Would you make a decision like that by saying "if he wins seven, he's back," or would you make the decision based mainly on the availability of a home run hire?