“The Process� Requires Baby Steps
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March 12, 2009 by
The Huskers are working hard during the offseason to build on the momentum from last season. With spring practice soon approaching, we will once again get to grace ourselves with some patented Bo lingo. One of his most common phrases is “The Process.�
It takes a step by step process. I think most will agree that head coach Bo Pelini has things on the right track. He took a group of players that lacked confidence from a season before and got every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears out of them to produce positive results. The growing pains came as well with near misses at Texas Tech and at home to Virginia Tech. And some of the games got plain old u-g-l-y at home versus Missouri and on the road at Oklahoma.
But overall, the process has been good. I think there are a few things that have taken place in the last year and a few months that show what his process includes. Here are a few examples.
Recruiting
Bo and the boys can recruit. Top 10 classes? Not yet. But we don’t need Top 10 classes in my opinion. We need players that buy into the system and have athletic ability. With the patchwork job Bo did last year, I am really intrigued to see his impact on players that he picks out himself. Pelini has placed an obvious priority on Texas and California which is absolutely crucial. He has also placed a priority on finding studs from winning programs. Winning grows on people and makes losing hurt that much more. I believe the kids that come with winning attitudes will spread that frame of mind to the other players.
Consistency in Discipline
Bo has not backed down from his promises. Do the right thing or pack your bags. He seems very fair in his discipline and absolutely will not make promises or break his word. Patrick Witt got this lesson first hand and the attrition of players this offseason is a result of Bo’s beliefs to find strong-willed young men. The discipline of a program starts at the top and Pelini has put his fist down and the players seem to respond to that. It would shock me to ever hear news of big time problems similar to what Florida State has faced the past few weeks. I like the tough guy approach.
No Micromanaging
Another thing I love about the direction we are taking is the lack of micromanagement on the staff. Bo lets his players coach and plays to their strengths. There is a reason Ron Brown recruited Anthony Green to Nebraska. They had a common bond in religious beliefs and Bo uses that to his advantage. I think Coach Ekler probably had a tough decision between going to South Florida for a higher ranked job or staying on with the Huskers. I am guessing that Ek loves his job so much he decided to stay. Bo doesn’t claim to be an offensive genius and lets Watson and staff do their thing. Don’t get me wrong, Bo will have his say. But he trusts his coaches and that cannot be understated in its importance to the team.
The process will continue to take baby steps this season in hopes of making steady progress towards being a national contender in years to come.
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Joel Schmidt Mar 12 09
Gotta love the strong, simple, hard-nosed approach...they have it at other programs, but I love how it's been a Nebraska thing for years.
Next season could shift one of two very extreme ways; here's hoping our W's go up this fall.
I can't wait for september simply to see who the next Joe Ganz will be. That kid is a stud, and i hope he does great at the pro-day. Someone's getting a steal in that kid.
How much of an effect on "the process" does scheming year-to-year have? I think we can all agree that it tailors more to the players than the players to it (at least at NU). It amazes me how coaches can put up consistent winning numbers with the turnover that the college game has.
Keep up the great articles, guys!
Ty Hughes Mar 12 09
This article is a summary of why I thought there could not have been a better "fit" when NU hired Bo. I just hope we have his allegiance. I'm skeered that once he begins winning Big 12 North Championships (and hopefully more), old Ohio State may try to lure him back to the alma mater to replace Tressel.
HuskerDeck Mar 12 09
Ty, the SEC teams with all their money that will need a coach in the future scare me more.
Spooky Tooth Mar 12 09
Re: Bo leaving for Ohio or anywhere else, I have some pretty strong feelings.
When he was here before, he thoroughly enjoyed the culture in the state of Nebraska and at the university. Add in that he works for TO. Big time inducement. If Bo and Jeff Jamrog have a good relationship, and JJ takes over as AD (not a sure thing, I know), this would also incline Bo to stay. (Never underestimate the Steve Peterson lesson. TO will NOT allow a replacement AD that would do what SP did).
Finally, Bo's wife and kids. When TO was job-searching, one of the things that convinced me that Bo would take the job if offered was the fact that in his first tour in Lincoln, his wife loved her stay and the Catholic parish they were in. She wanted back and I think that plays in his mind as well.
Renny Mar 12 09
Ty,
Interesting you mention the Ohio State thing...that will be discussed in the article for tomorrow (written last night).
Good stuff...Thanks guys.
Ty Hughes Mar 13 09
I obviously hope you all are right. The alma mater thing just always scares me. Coaches return to them in the end so many times it seems.
Fischalum'83 Mar 14 09
I don't know the man but he seems to be one to place family & loyalty over money. He will be paid well enough at Nebraska. If he likes it here after 3 or 5 years then my guess is he stays 20.
Read on the LJS blog that Green pulled groin in 7 on 7 drills and out for 12 weeks. Any truth to that?(you know how reliable blogs are)