[Husker] Time's Up, Bill (fwd)

[Steve Reichenbach]

>      TO was/is a good upright man who also happened to be a great football 
> coach.  He also deserves the respect he gets because he has earned it in 
> more ways than just football.  But, look at the whole picture and not just 
> wishful thinking from Husker fans who believe anything TO touches turns to 
> gold.  The thinking is make TO AD and in less time than you can blink an eye 
> we will have 3-4 National Championships.  In the first place he is 70 years 
> old.  AD means Athletic Director and not just Director of football 
> operations.  He would have to be responsible for the entirety of the 
> Athletic Program.  I am not sure at his age why he would want to get into 
> all that.  Of course in the fan's mind the main thing is the football 
> program.  What if he doesn't accomplish what is assumed he would?  What if 
> the football program would remain the same or even slip a little?  People 
> are usually remembered by the last thing they do.  If he didn't accomplish 
> what is desired as AD would that be what he is remembered rather than the 
> dominant Head Coach?  That's what I mean when I say he has everything to 
> lose and nothing to gain.  He is already as respected as he can get as far 
> as Husker athletics.  He has nothing left to prove.

I'm pretty sure that Osborne doesn't do things to prove anything or to
make us remember him.  Some people view taking on an important
challenge and accomplishing success as the essence of living.  Some
people feel that they aren't really living unless they are engaged in
challenging and significant undertakings.  I think that is an aspect of
Osborne's personality.  I think he thought he could retire from
coaching and take it easy, but he found that for him retirement wasn't
living and so he ran for Congress and then for Governor.  I know people
for whom that drive and the ability to be successful doesn't stop at 70
or even 80.  I think for Osborne it's more about how he wants (or maybe
even is compelled within) to live than how he wants others to view his
life.

I don't know Osborne personally and I have no idea if he would take
the AD job on an interim or short-term basis, but I think his life
(as I've observed it) indicates that he might be willilng to do so
and that he would do a good job in the position.

Personnaly, I think he'd do a much better job than Steve Pederson or
even Tim Silvey.