[Husker] coaching

[weldoc at juno.com]

(I always feel like a Johnny-come-lately because the computer is at my
office and I only am there 3 days a week, plus it uses dialup, so I
really don't mess much with the web, links, and other sites. But that
should be changing in about 2-3 months.)

I'm looking today at the current (1-15-07) copy of Sporting News, which I
have subscribed to for 10 years. Matt Hayes has a column which I think is
germane to the situation at NU.  mhayes at sportingnews.com

While NU fans generally have been renowned for their patience and the
coaching staff seems to have been a model of continuity and stability
over the past 40-plus years, Hayes seems to be challenging the paradigm
that it necessarily "takes" 4-5 years minimum to assess how a new coach
is going to work out.

(Disclaimer: I tend to be in the "Steve Reichenbach camp" of never going
to be a huge fan of SP, but was willing to give BC some time.)

The theme of Hayes' piece is that these days with players jumping to the
NFL after high school, or after 1-2 years at best; and coaches back &
forth between college & pro teams (Nick Saban the focus of today's
article) a school OUGHT to expect serious outcomes after only TWO years !
 He cites as examples Tressel at OSU, winning NC in 2nd season; ditto for
Meyer now at UF, Stoops after 2 at OU, (3 title games in 1st 6 seasons),
same for Carroll at Univ of Spoiled Children 2 years after his arrival.

By Hayes same logic he's excusing ND's firing of Willingham after 3
seasons, UF's dismissal of Zook after 3, why Ga. had 3 coaches at once,
etc.

Quotes: "When it comes to coaching college football, it's all about the
money. Because now, MORE THAN EVER (my emphasis) coaching means
EVERYTHING--no matter the cost.  [And later on] Now, more than ever,
coaching means EVERYTHING." 

Also: "Want to know why Alabama panicked and offered the kingdom and all
the gold to Saban ?  Because Ohio State and Florida were in the national
title game with coaches who PROVED TIME IS NO OBSTACLE WHEN BUILDING A
CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM."

Bobby Bowden in same article: "The margin for error in coaching these
days is next to nothing...change is inevitable."

Except at a few places, I guess: Fla. State, Penn State, and Nebraska.

Bill Laughlin
Wichita, KS

P.S. It'll be interesting to see how long Saban lasts at Alabama.