Toms Takes: Diaco

[redfred]

OK, we know how Tom Shatel feels, how about everyone else? Should Diaco have faced the music after the game? Is he hiding from accountability or just dodging a no-win situation?

I personally would have liked for him to step up and explain. We might not have liked the reasons, but I agree, it goes with the territory around here........at least for coaches. I'm good with players being shielded from the scrutiny of reporters trying to make a living by asking the tough questions, but coaches needs to give an explanation.........or at least letting us know what they feel happened imo.

I know some who disagree however. They feel the coach needs to spend his time figuring out solutions not appeasing us. If he fails on the field then show him the door, but don't hamstring him by splitting his efforts, or worse, creating more discontent by saying things we don't like.......even if they are true.

What say you?

 

[SUHnami]

No disagreement from me. Diaco is paid $825k this year and $875 next year. His behind should be on that podium and in front of the mics after every game. I'm sorry but he is the leader of the Defense and shouldn't be letting his young adult players take the heat for questions he should be man enough to answer. He needs to set an example for the players. If setting that example is to dodge the press then he has big time leadership issues. That being said I am a big Diaco fan. I truly believe what we saw from our D on Saturday was an anomoly. At least I hope. Anyway, it's going to take time for the players on the D to get used to the new scheme. Once they do and can do it w/o thinking they'll be damn good. Fly to the ball and allow few yards and points.

 

[HuskerVotary]

Win or lose, he must know that the change to a 3-4 will mean LOTS of q's throughout the season. He's the guru, so he's supposed to have the answers.

Doesn't mean it'll be hostile, and Husker fans get "work in progress". Just throw us some bones.

 

[Red Said Ted]

Yes, he needs to take questions. That's not even debatable.

That said, I think we saw a combination of Diaco keeping it vanilla, and the loss of Jones leaving us with some young and inexperienced corners in their first game f the season. The defense will get better game by game (barring too many injuries). Our corners probably aren't ready for the Ducks yet, but you'll see a lot different defense overall next week. There will be no vanilla for the Ducks.

 

[HuskerVotary]

"f the season"!?

You're an angry man, RST.

 

[justino52]

I don't think its that big of deal. I think coach Riley explained it in today's press conference. And yes, it was a weak reason why but its not that big of a deal. They briefly discussed a few weeks ago about having just one coach, the head coach, available each post game to have one voice. I'm sure that won't be good enough and we'll hear the gripes about the coaching staff not being on the same page, but again, it's not a big issue. He was going to meet with the press this week anyway. Its not like he never has. And it appears it's already been fixed or "corrected" for the remaining games.
It also irked Lee Barfknecht....so, really, that means he can skip every press conference. Anything that pisses old Barfy off is good in my book.

 

[HuskerVotary]

yeah, I read that, too.

oh, well. nbd.

 

[redfred]

I don't think its that big of deal. I think coach Riley explained it in today's press conference. And yes, it was a weak reason why but its not that big of a deal. They briefly discussed a few weeks ago about having just one coach, the head coach, available each post game to have one voice. I'm sure that won't be good enough and we'll hear the gripes about the coaching staff not being on the same page, but again, it's not a big issue. He was going to meet with the press this week anyway. Its not like he never has. And it appears it's already been fixed or "corrected" for the remaining games.
It also irked Lee Barfknecht....so, really, that means he can skip every press conference. Anything that pisses old Barfy off is good in my book.

 

[Red Said Ted]

Diaco's presser today... I'm falling in love with the man. Yep. You heard it right. I got a man crush.

Loved the whole thing. Stood up for himself and his team. Explained the miscommunication about the postgame presser. Explained the rationale for the soft coverage on the bubble screens. And took a not so subtle shot at the refs and Arky State for the helmet move that allowed them to get a field goal at the end of the first half (That needed to be called out on principle alone).

I'm starting a go fund me page so I can purchase a Diaco tattoo. I'm N. :Herbie:

 

[Red Said Ted]

"f the season"!?

You're an angry man, RST.

Well f. I'm mot vary good at speling end stuff, HV.

 

[Dunbar]

I can understand why fans would be upset. The media being upset - makes me laugh. Me? Put me in the 'I'd rather he figure things out than have to talk about it" camp.

Does Alabama's DC even talk to the media? Riley's the guy; the media can pose their questions to him, both offense and defense. And he should know how to answer them.

Now, points to Diaco for stepping up, but if the defense is a sieve against Oregon then I'd rather not see him again until the bowl game.

 

[smallz243]

I hope the media writes up some apologies. Forget about simply asking why he didn't take questions after the game the next time they see him. Everyone published "I'm important to talk to because I'm Nebraska" article to roast him. I doesn't surprise me that the media that covers the football team has an ego since football is the moneymaker for the papers too, but I didn't realize their egos were that big (other than Dirk).

 

[Huusker]

He said today he'd worked out a plan with MR that called for the head coach to react immediately following the game, and therefore allow himself time to grade the game video and make a more intelligent response on Tuesday of each game week.

Something like that makes sense at Connecticut, but not in Lincoln. If you're making $800K-plus per year, you should have to face the music. Media and fans expect nothing less.

I thought his self-righteous banter today was a little over the top. Just say there was a mix-up about post-game policy and move on.

 

[redfred]

It sounds as though the situation has been handled.

The media for all its flaws (and there are many imo) has a job to do, and it will do it come rain or come shine. If there is a void it will fill it with something......something of their own design if need be. Imo it would be wise for the program to steer the discussion as much as possible from the outset. This early in the year reasons are palatable. Later they many sound like excuses but not now. Now, with a new scheme, new coaches, and new players, miscues will be moderately tolerated if explanations are given. Coach Riley did, but Diaco did not. This absence left everyone scratching their heads and speculating.......not good. Coach Diaco will do better if he stays ahead of the curve imo.

As for the indignation by the media, one would like to think it was protecting the fan's right to know. I personally suspect they were upset because they were stood up.......all dressed up and no where to go.......and nothing to write about. I think it was Ohio on this site who wrote "Never pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel".

 

[Bugeaters]

A mistake was made, it was handled, he met with the media and seemed to be more then willing to speak, move on. And so what that he is making $800K plus a year - all that means is Nebraska is finally competing with the "big boys" for Coordinator/Assistant coaches salaries. Him making that much money doesn't come with a "You make this much, so never make a mistake" clause.

 

[SUHnami]

A mistake was made, it was handled, he met with the media and seemed to be more then willing to speak, move on. And so what that he is making $800K plus a year - all that means is Nebraska is finally competing with the "big boys" for Coordinator/Assistant coaches salaries. Him making that much money doesn't come with a "You make this much, so never make a mistake" clause.

No one is saying that $800k comes a never make a mistake clause. Mistakes will happen. Avoiding the press though is a different story. When the Press asked Riley Saturday night about Diaco not being available he seemed rather perplexed as to why he didn't. Regardless, If the policy is One coach to talk to the media then make that abundantly clear to all media outlets beforehand that that's the policy. That way they can't (or shouldn't) write stories about how Diaco avoided them. Otherwise the coaches who are much more highly paid with the fans money need to be available to the media if requested. Sounds fair to me.

 

[Bugeaters]

No one is saying that $800k comes a never make a mistake clause. Mistakes will happen. Avoiding the press though is a different story. When the Press asked Riley Saturday night about Diaco not being available he seemed rather perplexed as to why he didn't. Regardless, If the policy is One coach to talk to the media then make that abundantly clear to all media outlets beforehand that that's the policy. That way they can't (or shouldn't) write stories about how Diaco avoided them. Otherwise the coaches who are much more highly paid with the fans money need to be available to the media if requested. Sounds fair to me.

Diaco doesn't answer to the fans (whether we like it or not) or the media - he answers to Mike Riley. If there was a communication breakdown in which Riley stated, then i will believe what he says and move on. If there seems to be a pattern with Diaco, during his stay at NU, then i will be concerned.

 

[SUHnami]

Diaco doesn't answer to the fans (whether we like it or not) or the media - he answers to Mike Riley. If there was a communication breakdown in which Riley stated, then i will believe what he says and move on. If there seems to be a pattern with Diaco, during his stay at NU, then i will be concerned.

You are not wrong, but every other coach at NU and around the country has in the past made themselves available after games unless there's beforehand knowledge sent out to the media that just one coach will answer all the questions regarding the game. Riley was point blanked asked about why Diaco wasn't available and he didn't have an answer until 2 days later. I listen to the after game PC's on my ride home evry game back to Omaha. Maybe he forgot that he told that to Bob, maybe he didn't really say that to Diaco in the first place and they are trying to save face. If Riley had told the press then that they are using a one coach approach after the games then I doubt anything would've been said. That wasn't done so it makes the whole thing look like it was made up. Regardless both Riley and Diaco gave their explanation and I'm fine with it. Diaco is one of my favorite coaches and I know he'll get the ship righted. When this happens the rest of the country will need to watch out, cause we'll take no prisoners!

 

[Bugeaters]

You are not wrong, but every other coach at NU and around the country has in the past made themselves available after games unless there's beforehand knowledge sent out to the media that just one coach will answer all the questions regarding the game. Riley was point blanked asked about why Diaco wasn't available and he didn't have an answer until 2 days later. I listen to the after game PC's on my ride home evry game back to Omaha. Maybe he forgot that he told that to Bob, maybe he didn't really say that to Diaco in the first place and they are trying to save face. If Riley had told the press then that they are using a one coach approach after the games then I doubt anything would've been said. That wasn't done so it makes the whole thing look like it was made up. Regardless both Riley and Diaco gave their explanation and I'm fine with it. Diaco is one of my favorite coaches and I know he'll get the ship righted. When this happens the rest of the country will need to watch out, cause we'll take no prisoners!

I think a little of me is just not wanting Diaco to fail and that is clouding my judgement and my opinion of him and this situation....HA...

 

[SUHnami]

I think a little of me is just not wanting Diaco to fail and that is clouding my judgement and my opinion of him and this situation....HA...

I definitely don't want Diaco to fail. He's been a great DC wherever he's coached at. I've nothing but great things about him and his ability to coach, recruit, and game plan. I loved the hire by Riley. Also we can't afford to have him fail either.