Pre-Spring Ball Buzz

I hope you are right. Do you have any concern that this coach is really good at public relations and don’t yet know if he can walk the walk as good as he can talk the talk?
He's no newbie, NUinNC. Besides Temple, he brought Baylor "back from the dead" following the school's horrible scandal.

I seriously thought at the time that Baylor was going to fall to the wayside the same way SMU did when they received the NCAA's 'death penalty.' The way he brought them back is nothing short of miraculous -- and one of the reasons why the NFL came calling.

Yes, Coach Rhule talks a good game. But everything I've seen thus far supports the notion he knows what he's doing. His efforts to develop super-strong ties to Texas is (IMO) inspired. Whether it pays off or not remains to be seen. But in my opinion, it's the way you go about building a consistent winner.
 
Last edited:
It wasnt that long ago when Alabama was winning MNCs, that Saban was bitching because the stadium (mainly student section) wasnt full. And here we are with 6 straight losing seasons and still selling out every game.
I’m sure most of us would gladly have let the sellout streak end in return for the on-field success that Bama has had under Saban.
 
I tend to agree with this sentiment. He is an excellent public speaker but hard to tell the preacher from the salesman at times. Having admitted that, one contrary view is to ask when is the last time Nebraska hired a coach with proven track record of success in college football as a head coach? The answer, I think, is 1962, when Bob Devaney was hired from Wyoming after 5 years and 4 winning seasons. Since that time we've hired 3 coaches without HC experience in college (though, admittedly, one did okay and tho other was pretty good), one with two years experience and career record (1-1-0) and one with 14 years and a .500 career record at one school.

Now we have a 6 year HC in Matt Rhule whose track record in college is to develop double digit winning teams within 3 seasons. Now, I was in favor of hiring Luke Fickell instead of Rhule, for all these reasons and because Fickell stayed and sustained success at Cincinatti, whereas Rhule moved on to greener pastures.
 
RUMOR time: Not to rain on our Spring Ball buzz - but has anyone else heard our likely starter at RB is indefinitely suspended? Only have one source so far and definitely not a news media source - so I want to throw the BS flag on this until I see something more concrete.
 
RUMOR time: Not to rain on our Spring Ball buzz - but has anyone else heard our likely starter at RB is indefinitely suspended? Only have one source so far and definitely not a news media source - so I want to throw the BS flag on this until I see something more concrete.
Who are you assuming would be the likely starter?
 
I tend to agree with this sentiment. He is an excellent public speaker but hard to tell the preacher from the salesman at times. Having admitted that, one contrary view is to ask when is the last time Nebraska hired a coach with proven track record of success in college football as a head coach? The answer, I think, is 1962, when Bob Devaney was hired from Wyoming after 5 years and 4 winning seasons. Since that time we've hired 3 coaches without HC experience in college (though, admittedly, one did okay and tho other was pretty good), one with two years experience and career record (1-1-0) and one with 14 years and a .500 career record at one school.

Now we have a 6 year HC in Matt Rhule whose track record in college is to develop double digit winning teams within 3 seasons. Now, I was in favor of hiring Luke Fickell instead of Rhule, for all these reasons and because Fickell stayed and sustained success at Cincinatti, whereas Rhule moved on to greener pastures.
Preacher salesman? Never thought there was a difference
 
  • Like
Reactions: Uenth
Nebraska Cornhuskers 2023 Spring Practice Positional Preview: Linebackers/Edge Rushers (msn.com)

MJ Sherman and Chief Borders have already received a great deal of fanfare, while Eric Fields' name has been floated as a potential steal of the 2023 recruiting class. Dylan Rogers steps onto campus in the fall when the Cypress, Texas, native gets his own chance to impress.

Matt Rhule has been especially complimentary of Borders as winter conditioning wrapped up. "He's elite in the community, and he gives back to people. Here's one thing I know — wherever Chief ends up on a given day, that place will be better for him having been there."

Arguably the most curious edge rusher this spring is Jimari Butler. After briefly testing the early transfer portal waters, he withdrew his name two days after Rhule was hired. Nebraska's new head coach made a concerted effort to get to know Butler, including sitting down for a meal with both him and tight end Thomas Fidone.

Gunnerson and Appleget both have the potential to make noise, but the biggest challenge will be busting through an already stacked list now battling for playing time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: QuerqueQuirky
We are not "BACK" Too many transfers did not play much last year. Ben Scott will start at RT or OC, and Sims will likely start multiple games for the Huskers. Other than that, there is a lot of guys with physical ability and potential. And Rhule starts with a solid foundation and not the coach to expect miracles the first year. However, the schedule is easier than past years and there is enough talent to win 7 games next year. Momentum needs to continue to keep recruiting at a high level. They must not crap the bed the way Frost did in his first 6 games. I can see NU joining OSU, Penn St, Mich, and USC, as good bets to win 9 games every year.That is when they are back.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Uenth
Sweet post, GIJoe! :thumbsup:

I think there was always something about our Midwest culture that was attracted to the blue-collar, physicality of football. It's why Nebraska was a powerhouse from the very beginnings of the game. After a number of boneheaded mistakes by the University back in the 40s (especially no ROTC at the time) diminished our once-proud program, we came back with a vengeance in the 60s under the Bobfather.

My take is that our 40-plus years of unparalleled success created a generations-long, family-tradition around supporting the Huskers. It's the only way you can explain how miraculous it has been that a program that has experienced 6 straight losing seasons and hasn't won a championship this century continues to receive a level of support that the vast majority of today's top CFB programs could only dream of.

I would paraphrase GIJoe to say: we bitch and complain about everything around the University, its people, the State....and especially our football program. But screw anybody (who's heart doesn't bleed Husker Red) who dares to do the same.

While we Husker diehards whine a good game, the truth is we will support the Cornhuskers to our dying day. It's in our DNA. And THAT is why Nebraska Football was always destined to come back.
So true! I never thought I would make it thru 6 losing seasons, but here I am again.
 
Nebraska Cornhuskers 2023 Spring Practice Positional Preview: Linebackers/Edge Rushers (msn.com)

MJ Sherman and Chief Borders have already received a great deal of fanfare, while Eric Fields' name has been floated as a potential steal of the 2023 recruiting class. Dylan Rogers steps onto campus in the fall when the Cypress, Texas, native gets his own chance to impress.

Matt Rhule has been especially complimentary of Borders as winter conditioning wrapped up. "He's elite in the community, and he gives back to people. Here's one thing I know — wherever Chief ends up on a given day, that place will be better for him having been there."

Arguably the most curious edge rusher this spring is Jimari Butler. After briefly testing the early transfer portal waters, he withdrew his name two days after Rhule was hired. Nebraska's new head coach made a concerted effort to get to know Butler, including sitting down for a meal with both him and tight end Thomas Fidone.

Gunnerson and Appleget both have the potential to make noise, but the biggest challenge will be busting through an already stacked list now battling for playing time.
I was glad when Butler came back. I think he has some true all star potential.
 
  • Like
Reactions: innmc