FW: [Husker] Norvell, players -- NU is nothing more than a PIT STOP

[Kenneth McKillip]

OK.  I can't not respond.  I could not disagree with the comments below
more.

When SP announced the firing of FS and his new young staff after a their
first, 10-3, season, I posted, and I stand by, that we had given up a
strategic advantage.  I believe that more than ever now as this plays out.  

There were lots of things about the heritage approach that were very, very
rare - like staff stability.  It wasn't just TO that held the staff
together.  It was the heritage philosophy.

Frank had recruited a staff of mostly old guard Huskers. Young enough to
boost recruiting, but bought into the old philosophy.

This philosophy was an integrated system comprised of many mutually
supportive elements.  Recruiting of Nebraska kids and walk ons. Power/option
offense.  This allowed us to recruit a different kind of player and still be
successful, allowed us to run the ball and control the game, gave us a
mobile QB edge and in the process fended off transferring (who would want
our short fat linemen), took heat off our defense, and numerous other
synergistic effects.  For example, it tended to keep our staff in place.  No
one was looking at NU coaches because our offense wasn't cool.

Same thing evolved on defense and special teams.  Dominate defensive ends
(Carriker and Moore are the last of Frank's DE's).  Ultra fast outside
linebackers.  NFL quality cornerbacks.  Routine scoring on returns and
routine kick blocks.  These things were realized to be important over time
against top level competition and these learnings were captured by the
stable staff.  More synergy.

I could go on, but it really wasn't just TO.  It was the Heritage System.
And I believe is gave us a huge strategic advantage over the long haul.

The new approach is based on recruiting - "we run a pro offense, with a
coach who was once a pro and we can maximize your chances of getting to the
NFL".  Problem is we will never ever, ever, out recruit Texas and So Cal,
etc.  Therefore, a strategy based on out recruiting our competition will
never consistently work.  The old strategy based on patience, hard work,
loyalty, and e.g. - having a unique power/option approach with our opponents
building their defenses for the typical team - was magic.

This I believe, Nebraska would have had a much better record over time had
SP swallowed his pride and stuck with the heritage approach.  And I know I
would have enjoyed watching the next Tommy Fraizer more than becoming one of
the crowd.

-----Original Message-----
From: husker-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:husker-bounces at tssi.com] On Behalf Of
JEN_SENS
Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2007 8:45 AM
To: husker at tssi.com; weldoc at juno.com
Subject: Re: [Husker] Norvell, players -- NU is nothing more than a PIT STOP

Just a quick list off the top of my head.

Carl Selmer, Devanney - Moved on
George Kelly - Devanney - Moved on to Notre Dame of all places
Warren Powers - Devanney , Osborne - Moved on to coach against his team
Bill Miles - Devanney - Moved on
Jerry Moore - Osborne - Moved on
Rich (sorry it isn't coming) - Osborne - Moved on
Gene Huey - Osborne - Moved on
Bob Thornton - Osborne - Moved on
Van Zandt - Osborne - Moved on
Tony Samuel - Osborne - Moved on

The stability of Osborne's staff was very rare. Probably something you will 
never see again. Just like some of the records.

The truth is, there are very few coaches you want for twenty years. Most get

stale and lose attention to detail. Look at FSU. We never appreciated what a

truly unique individual Tom Osborne was. As they say, "they threw away the 
mold".

Oh and hiring a bunch of "furriners" I remember when that Pelini boy was 
tearing them up for dear old Scotus. I don't know, but I would doubt that 
head coach at Nebraska would be the end of his ambitions.

And this Monte Kiffin you spoke about, didn't he grow up in Nebraska? Didn't

he play for Nebraska? Didn't he coach at Nebraska? Yet he moved on to better

his life.

The reality is, with great players and great coaches they will get 
opportunities to advance their career. Hopefully we can upgrade.

Gerald

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <weldoc at juno.com>
To: <husker at tssi.com>
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 7:30 PM
Subject: [Husker] Norvell, players -- NU is nothing more than a PIT STOP


> So I guess I had better get used to players and coaches making NU a "pit
> stop" for a year or two for "resume enhancement ?
>
> This is what we get when we go for the gold and end up with "furriners"
> -- those without any roots or loyalty to sticking around and making it
> happen IN LINCOLN.
>
> 2 years is all we get with a "Brandon Jackson." So much for roster
> stability...
>
> Wish we could have kept and hung onto some of those coaches under
> Solich---and Pelini. And snatched M. Kiffin.
>
> Bill Laughlin
> Wichita, KS
>
> _______________________________________________
> husker site list
> husker at tssi.com
> http://romaine.tssi.com/mailman/listinfo/husker
> 

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