[NU Sports] Fast-food Football Zealots, a Tradition of their Own

[Jeff Beamsley]

I think it is reasonable to EXPECT NU's football coach to put teams on the
field that win more than they lose, graduate at least at the same rate as
the rest of the student body, and stay out of trouble.

I'm not a big RW fan, but he is likely to deliver on these expectations by
the close of this season, so I think he has earned the right to demonstrate
that he can do it again.  

What you are talking about is not expectations.  You are talking about
wishes.  That is having expectations without accountability.  Expectations
with accountability, however, do produce results.  In that regard it IS that
simple.  You get results, you get rewards.  You don't get results, someone
else gets a turn.

So what we are all talking about is whether or not it is reasonable to hold
Coach Walker AND OURSELVES accountable for the things that I've listed above
(or some reasonable variant). 

The way we hold each other accountable is to support RW's continued coaching
when he delivers the results that we expect, and call for his replacement if
he proves he can't deliver the results that we expect.  

Now everyone is going to go off on this particular point and use the Frank
Solich example and express their own opinions about whether or not this was
reasonable.  I think his firing was a perfect example of how a program with
high expectations reacts to results below their expectations.  It may be
ugly, precipitous, and unfair; but everyone involved in that program knows
what is expected of them.  Callahan knows that he has to prove he can
contend for a national title.  Winning more than they lose is not good
enough for Nebraska fans. 

On the more fundamental question, I believe that improvement in NU football
REQUIRES a fan base that EXPECTS the team to win and, just like Nebraska,
holds the coach accountable for that expectation.  IMHO, that is the core of
a winning tradition.  

Right now, some portion of the NU fan base wishes for a winning team, but
doesn't really EXPECT it because (we're too small, we're too exclusive,
takes time to win, insert your favorite excuse). IMHO, that is why,
regardless of recent history, we are perceived as having a losing tradition.


I can't speak for others on this list that feel we need a coaching change
now, but I think it may be born of frustration because of their very high
expectations.  I have a hard time criticizing someone who expects the sort
of results that many others here are only willing to wish for.

Jeff




-----Original Message-----
From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com] On
Behalf Of Chris Patterson
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 10:58 AM
To: nwu-sports at tssi.com
Subject: [NU Sports] Fast-food Football Zealots, a Tradition of their Own

I figure there are 3 or maybe 4 on this list, at most, that think Walker
should be sent packing and that winning happens just because of expectations
and that tradition is just a one season turn-around.
 
Like I'm sure that "just expecting" fast-food junkies to lose weight is all
it takes. And what about those fast-food junkies who for the last decade
have had others expecting them to improve their waistline?  I for one, base
expectations on past performance and on any new information (such as a new
diet - low carb, medical condition or sudden change of life style).
 
And then there is tradition. We're certainly in the season to reflect on it.
Most traditions people savor, I think, have lasted decades and sometimes
generations. But, after one holiday season (or two) of dieting and fitness
success, our "get rich quick" football zealots may all expect our mythical
food junkie to win or place in the local triathalon annually. I'm all for
building new wonderful traditions, but that takes time, perservance and
believe it or not, patience.
 
I'm not sure fast-food junkies will ever listen to the accepted consensus of
diet experts. 
 
It is simple. So simple that it reminds me of that "moron" sports writer
from a few years ago in Chicago. Since he left, I saw him on on ESPN once,
and changed the channel then, ... too. 
 
Chris Patterson
Tech '81
Knoxville, TN
 
Go CATS!
 
 
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