Bill Self-ish?
5 comments so far
April 10, 2008 by
Big 12 basketball fans are watching with interest as Kansas head coach and Oklahoma State alum Bill Self must decide whether to remain at KU or return to his alma mater. Kansas fans find themselves in a very similar situation to one that Nebraska fans could face if Bo Pelini were to become the kind of hot propery that Self has.
Fans would like to believe that money alone wouldn't lure Pelini to another program and that could be true. But other programs have advantages in terms of resources and recruiting bases that could be compelling enough to attract a competitive guy like Bo. Still, if Pelini is having a lot of success in Lincoln, wouldn't he conclude he had everything that he really needs?
If Pelini was satisfied with the resources and geography and didn't have NFL dreams to pursue, then ther might be only one program that could lure him from Lincoln - Ohio State. Pelini is an Ohio State graduate, former Buckeye player, and he grew up in the state. It's possible that OSU would have an appeal in that way that Nebraska couldn't match. Since I'm optimistic that Pelini will have success at Nebraska, I'm now going to be cheering for a long career at OSU for Jim Tressel. I want his job to be safe. I will root for his continued good health. I hope they have to pry the whistle from Tressel's hand at the age of 88 like he was Joe Paterno or Bobby Bowden.
But it's not just Tressel to be concerned about. Nebraska's next Athletic Director had better be a Pelini fan (and vice versa) or else Pelini could depart the same way Roy Williams did from Kansas to work for someone he likes better.
I know I'm getting WAY ahead of myself here. Bo Pelini making himself a hot property would be a nice problem to have. It would mean Nebraska was back at a level that's not easy to get to. But in Spring, we can all be optimistic. I hope to still be worrying about this in January.
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OU7times Apr 10 08
Amazing! Bo is officially 1-0 ashead coach at Nebraska.I see alot of "if's" in this theory. Maybe we can start thinking of adding Coach's likeness to Mt. Rushmore, next. Alot of people are going to be let down or maybe suicidal if Bo doesn't end up being superman. Alot of expectations and pressure are being put on this guy. I wouldn't necessarily call a guy selfish for moving on for more money. Self has done a bang up job at KU and should leave if KU can't pay top money for him. There is always someplace that will.
Husker Mike Apr 10 08
Aren't we getting ahead of ourselves here?
Husker Mark Apr 10 08
Waaaaaaaaaay ahead... But it's still kinda fun! We haven't had the opportunity for a while.
bnahusker Apr 10 08
OU7, Mike and Mark,
I'm happy as heck to get ahead of ourselves, instead of whining about the past.
Aknowlege..............Move on!
Go Big Red!
Bob
Greg Morrow Apr 11 08
Say he puts Nebraska back to the level we enjoyed the first 4 years of Solich's stint. Which I'll define as a viable top 10 BCS bowl contender, at some point each season. A "player," in other words.
Then, "mama" calls, as Doug Williams once put it, when he replaced the retiring Eddie Robinson, at Grambling St.
That would be just fine. Because he'd have re-established Nebraska's place at the dinner table- the adults table.
Nebraska then becomes viewed as a "hot" job, with Osborne's replacement at a much better advantage, able to pick and choose. As opposed the the untimely personnel decisions of the past 4 years and 5 months.
Along with turnaround type success this year, Bo must demonstrate that Nebraska is a strong recruiting lure, along with Ohio St. and Michigan, the strongest recruiting teams of teams not in or close to Texas, Cali and Florida.
That's paramount, to me.
He does that and Nebraska becomes the Big XII North's dominate team... Then the way is nicely paved for his replacement.
I watch virtually no basketball, except to see if San Diegan Candice Wiggins could pull it off with Stanford. But I'd like to congratulate "Rock Chalk" on their title. (I won't bother doing it on their forums) Bill Self has absolutely made Kansas a hot job, which really, it always has been. They get the best coaches and players.
Nebraska and Osborne got the hottest assistant coach, in college football. Which ain't bad.