I’ve seen some complete idiocy written here since last night. So here goes.
Work ethic
NO ONE has worked harder in his position since Bill Callahan. I’ve spent some time in the offices at the stadium over the last 20 years and can tell you that Callahan was the hardest worker I had seen. Rhule is the only one that is gis equal. Where Rhule exceeds him is in his ability to connect with people and reverence he has for Nebraskas past. For those who are wondering, Frost was the laziest coach we have ever had and the gap between him and 2nd worst is the Grand Canyon.
At Nebraska, you have to be absolutely tireless in your approach or it won’t work. The recruiting and the pressures from the local Legion guys, ex players, women with babies on the street for your attention require it. There aren’t many coaches out there that have what Rhule has in this department.
Time
There are a lot of ghosts here. Lots of people with long memories. For as much blame as people have for the players losing games like tonight, how many of us were waiting for the inevitable late turnover vs Iowa so we would lose 13-10. It takes time to erase those completely. Just does. We are a unique fan base here with incredible knowledge. But that knowledge also brings a burden of remembering every loss. That alone keeps a dark cloud here that makes it a little tougher to break through. It’s a pressure that everyone feels and makes us our own worst enemy.
Despite “us” we had a freshman QB starting this season. The kid is still learning and had to do it under an absolutely awful OC for his first season. Freshman QBs make mistakes. The kid is a student of the game and will learn. Kid needs time. So here we are.
Contract
Are we really going to fire him right now and pay yet another coach to not coach Nebraska. We paid $32M to previous coaches when we fired them. Frost got $15M.
Rhule has the 6th largest buyout in college football. If we fire him today we owe roughly $58M. He gets 90% of his contract if we fire him. And it’s due within 24 months of his firing.
The next coach that would come in would require a similar contract.
Do you buffoons really want to be paying $25M in head salaries next season to have another guy running the ship (who history shows may or may not work!) or would you rather just calm down and realize that
1. We made progress this season and are going to a bowl
2. We just hired arguably the best OC in college football
3. Our S&C coach is one of the best in the business. We look different than in the past and our lack of injuries on the field support what coach is doing.
4. Our defense has been good. Our DC has shown that he knows what it takes requires to shut down too running games in the Big 10. Ty Robinson surely helped with that.
The future is fine. Take a deep breath and support Rhule. He’s the right man for the job and, frankly, you don’t have a choice.
With that being said, if he doesn’t fire his special teams coach, then that’s on him and deserves all of your vitriol you give him. Our special teams literally cost us 2-3 wins this season.
