Osborne's Timing On Target
23 comments so far
December 26, 2007 by
When Tom Osborne agreed to remain on as Nebraska's Athletic Director through the summer of 2010, it warmed the hearts of the Husker Nation and eased one area of uncertainty for the time being. But why 2010? Why not 2009 or 2011? The answer may be that 2010 is just about the right time to make that kind of transition.
One concern I heard about Osborne selecting NU's next head coach while wearing the mantle of "Interim" Athletic Director is that the next AD would want his own guy. Just as Steve Pederson dropped the ax on Frank Solich prematurely in the eyes of many Husker fans, would the next AD be quick to clean house once he was hired? Maybe and maybe not.
When Bill Byrne was hired to replace Bob Devaney, he didn't chase Tom Osborne out the door. He didn't in part because Osborne was well-established as a successful head coach at NU. What that 2010 date does is give both Bo Pelini and Doc Sadler time to get established. If those guys are having success in the next two seasons, the next AD will be under a lot of pressure to keep them. If it aint broke, don't fix it.
What if things aren't going so well? The new AD likely won't have to fire anyone in his first month on the job. Even if Pelini or Sadler have had a couple of bad seasons, most fans would understand them getting one more year to right the ship. The 2010 date gives the next AD options. That's sure to make attracting the next head man that much easier.
And aside from 2010, the other element of timing is the here and now. With the Huskers in the middle of a recruiting season, and with seemingly 10 or more slots to fill, Osborne's eliminated one discussion point for opposing coaches. "They don't even know who their AD is going to be next year!" is no longer a barb to be used against Nebraska. Once again, Dr. Tom timed it right.
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Bill in Iowa Dec 26 07
If Bo returns NU to respectability (9 win seasons or better), I pity the AD that tries to get rid of him.
CORNHEAD Dec 26 07
Not so fast my friend! You won't see nine win season's for quite awhile with the way this staff is recruiting. Bo will go down as a terrible head coach and another bad choice by TO!!
Husker Mike Dec 26 07
This staff has only been in place for a couple of weeks now, and you are already passing judgment on their recruiting? Just curious, did I somehow miss letter of intent day? On what solid basis are you judging recruiting, other than a bunch of meaningless verbal commitments and decommitments?
j s ash Dec 26 07
can't believe you are already bashing bo and to. i feel the choice is good, obviously we needed a change. this staff sure beats what we had by 100%.
Darren Dec 26 07
Great take, Steve. Nearly every professional endeavor - from comedy to football - comes down to timing. Keeping aware of it is key.
My take on Osborne's choice to stay until 2010...? Well, I'm happy as heck for NU. And, I'm glad for Tom and Nancy that it will be a short run.
For NU or any organization, culture change is not easy. Osborne needs at least this amount of time to "get the stink out" of the athletic department and instill a new culture. He very rightly wants to protect what he helped build. That means 2 to 3 years of bringing in the right people.
For Tom's sake I'm glad it is a finite and short run. To quote Lloyd from the movie Dumb and Dumber ... "Senior citizens, although slow and dangerous behind the wheel, can still serve a purpose. I'll be right back. Don't you go dying on me!"
Ooooooh...not cool, I know. But, come on? Tom's old. That's funny, right?
But seriously, I'm sure he has it in him to drive the ship a bit longer. My dad is of his generation and is retired, and he could very easily out work 95% of the country's population, including me. That being said, coaching and AD work is taxing, and is more and more a young man's game (Bowden and Paterno aside).
I hope Osborne surrounds himself with tireless, sharp people who have the right sense of NE and NU culture. They will be the ones to carry this on in to the age of Internet marketing, on-demand broadcasts, 24/7 recruiting communication, new strength and conditioning techniques, and on and on.
Dad (or Grandpa, depending on one's age) is here to run the show for a while, folks. Listen. Learn. Do what he does. Our athletic culture hinges on it.
Darren Dec 26 07
Cornhead - Did you really just say that? Stunning.
NU's ability or inability to win 9 games next year has nearly nothing to do with this (2007/2008) recruiting class. It has everything with the kids who have already been issued pads, and how well our coaches can get them to perform.
I'm optimistic that those players and coaches can yield a winning season right away. I hope you can be too. If not, I guess Pelini and company will just have to show you with results. Play 'em. When they've all been played, count 'em.
doombob Dec 26 07
Cornhead, I know we won't see 9 wins for quite a while. I mean it's a WHOLE 12 months from next year this time. I'm sick of the "recruiting blame game." We don't know nothing about recruiting til Feb and then we still don't know nothing about how good they are til the players take the field. I look at Kansas as the best example of taking no-name three stars and the coach getting what he wants out of them. I look through the lists of 3-5 star players over the last 5 years, and all I see is one busted 4 or 5 star for every 3 star that is impressive.
donfl Dec 26 07
Cornhead, you are an idiot! Recruiting commitments this year will have little impact on the near future of the Huskers. Remember these kids will be FRESHMEN and most of them will be redshirts. Bo will have to mold the team with "Callahan's" recruits from the last four years. Nine wins are not unreal if he can turn around a defense that looked like a white tail in the headlights under Cosgrove. I beleive we can give him the benefit of the doubt, he did that with the same kids that were abysmal under Bohl. Winning will take care of future recruiting.
Dwayne Dec 26 07
Cornhole,
You're a freaking idiot and the type of person that makes the rest of the fans upset. You're not a fan. What are you, twelve?
Kyle Dec 27 07
Good article i was think about reason why he decided to stay i thought of money and stuff but i never thought of recruiting or coaching side of it
I like how real fans are supporting nebraska again i like to see the red and white game pack 80,000 would be insane for a spring game
There has to be a reason cornhead said those things maybe he thinks callahan is still in charge or he was drunk or just got out of a relationship and the person he/she was callahan or coz. Maybe all of them.
Can we frame that comment of take a screenshot of it and next year when we get 9 wins be like "umm? what happen i thought i recruits would be able to do anything?"
darren Dec 27 07
donfl and Dwayne - you might *really* disagree with what "Cornhead" has to say. But, please refrain from calling names.
The BRN comments area stay pretty darn clean, relative to the rest of the 'net. Let's all do our part to keep it that way. Try to confront ideas without attacking people.
And, sometimes people say thing just to provoke a response. Not sure if that is the case here. Regardless, please "Stay classy, San Diego."
WOW Dec 27 07
C'mon donfl and Dwayne,
We've been through this before.....
Only certain people are allowed to 'call names' 'round these parts.
Then it is okay because they did it "for effect".
Just so you know Darren, this can be expected each and every time you 'call someone out' for name calling.
Yes I'm aware it's your house and your rules and my actions could result in me being ousted.
I'm sure that donfl and Dwayne used "idiot" 'for effect' and is no different than your "Fatgino!" comment.
JR
darren Dec 27 07
Thanks, JR.
It just wouldn't be the same without your reminding me of my past failure. What a guy you are... :-)
But, the principle remains true.
Dwayne Dec 27 07
Sorry Darren. I didn't mean to polute the clean water, but those types of comments are ridiculous and have no basis. All I have to base my assumption of Cornhead on is his comment. Cornhead may be much more brilliant than I ever thought I was. It makes you wonder if Cornhead is actually Callahan posting messages, and you're right, this next class will have very little affect on next season's record.
shane Dec 28 07
Cornhead,
Your comment was awesome. Its nice to see someone say it, NU fans are a bit too excited, and things aren't actually going that well. Your use of a nickname that was obviously meant to show yourself to be mocking NU fans was apparently missed, and we took you too seriously. Of course you don't think that Bo and TO are "terrible" and bad decision makers. Its too bad Husker fans don't show themselves intelligent enough to see a little ribbing for what it is. I'll chalk it up to too much Christmas dinner on the mind.
Anyway, Cornhead brings two points to mind: (1) Are Husker fans too defensive? (2) Are things going to get better in recruiting?
The answer to (1) seems to be yes. (2) has been, "wait and see," but I don't like waiting (even if it is a dead period).
JD = truth Dec 28 07
seems we are restoreing the order in the walk-ons department,which is fantastic news,
"Jim Ebke leaves SDSU to walk-on at Nebraska"
JD = truth Dec 28 07
SO WHO'S NEXT ?
It's also something that alot of recruiting guru's and analyst miss out on.GBR ! ! ! ! !
underground recruiting
Tom's opening up all those pipeline doors.
Greg Morrow Dec 28 07
I'm just glad to read another snippet about "Dr Tom". Apart from his political adventures, stories about him have been few and far in between.
Now, I'm good through '10!
WOW Dec 29 07
"Jim Ebke leaves SDSU to walk-on at Nebraska"
Thanks for posting this.
It helps explain the 'Red over Reason' I've seen since moving to Nebraska.
JR
doombob Dec 30 07
"Red over Reason"? Are you implying that giving up a scholarship at a Division II level to walk on to Nebraska is an illogical decision? Never mind that he may be wanting to transfer closer to home, may not be playing the position he wants, may not be receiving the development of a Div. I school, or whatever. You obviously know what's best.
WOW Dec 30 07
doombob,
So I'm to take your obviously more well connected and better informed information as truer than my implication of a young kid caught up in the hoopla?
No thanks.
Yours makes no more or no less sense than mine.
I just happen to have a bit more objectivity is all.
JR
Greg Morrow Dec 31 07
WOW
"as truer than my implication of a young kid caught up in the hoopla?"
What looks to be "true," is a kid who feels (as a walkon) he has a better opportunity to play for Nebraska with this staff, (and earn a scholorship) than with the previous staff. He's taking a risk, but so have many who've walked on to this program before, who could have received a scholorship at a smaller school. Guys have even turned down Iowa St. to walk on a Nebraska.
The implication is, it's not about a scholorship- it's about playing for Nebraska.
At Nebraska, we've seen walkons compete with High School All Americans and end up alternating with the "hot shots" or starting over them.
Osborne has "rolled out the red carpet" to walkons and they're going to respond, because it IS worth it to them.
That's Nebraska, which is what you don't seem to know.
doombob Dec 31 07
You know what, don't follow your dreams. Live with regret. Ignore tradition. Didn't mean to discount your opinion, but I am saying regardless of what people may think, emotion plays an important role in what these young guys do. I can't' argue this anymore. Done with this thread. I have no objectivity. Go Big Red.