What Every Iowa Recruit Wants To Hear

The NFL Combine is wrapping up in Indianapolis, the NFL network has turned this event into "American Idol" for football players.  The 2011 class of fresh meat trying to make a positive impression with every scout, General Manager, Head Coach and owner.  Of course they do it in all the traditional ways like the Wonderlic test, the standing broad jump, the vertical jump and the 40 yard dash.  By the end of this event we know the way every player farts, sneezes, sleeps, belches and if he picks his nose and eats it.  Okay that might be a bit much but you get the picture that if teams are going to invest a draft pick on a player that are going to know him inside and out.

This morning on 1460 KXNO,  Matt Bowen from the National Football Post told me and Tim Fisher that NFL scouts and General Managers seldom worry about the readiness of Hawkeye players.

"NFL scouts tell me that Iowa players at the combine are traditionally like a 2nd year guy in the NFL.  They are prepared, they are smart and they are well coached" said Bowen.  "This preparation gives Iowa players a leg up on a good number of other athletes at the combine."


Matt Bowen

 Now Bowen might be a little biased considering he is a former Hawkeye.  However he is now a journalist and if you follow him on twitter you know that he loves to break down the game and evaluate talent.  Sure he played for Kirk Ferentz but it doesn't benefit him today to talk up Iowa players.

In today's non-stop recruiting wars, Bowen's words are like the pot of gold at the end of the black and gold rainbow.  Every high school kid has dreams of being an NFL star and if they hear they are better prepared for the next level at Iowa, all the more reason to become a Hawk.

Every school tells a recruit that they offer the fast track to the NFL.  Those of us around the game know there is no such thing, but after talking to Bowen today it's clear at least one schoolj, those who are good enough to play are prepared enough to play.

KXNO Radio
National Football Post
Matt Bowen on Twitter
Hawkeye Football

Happy Birthday Hayden!

Legendary Iowa Football Coach Hayden Fry turns 82 years young today.  His mark on Iowa Football, check that Iowa Athletics will last forever.

The Tiger Hawk.  The pink locker rooms.  The Hokey Pokey. The Pride.  The players.

On the day we celebrate on the greatest every, take time to watch what I think is one of his classic news conferences.




Happy Birthday Hayden!

Stanzi Being Compared To Tom Brady

He's not the fastest guy in the world.  He might not have the strongest arm.  But former Iowa Quarterback Ricky Stanzi is being compared to future Hall-of-Famer Tom Brady.

Yes Stanzi has a lot to prove, but the comparisons are from when Brady went through the combine.  Stanzi might not be the biggest name at the NFL Combine but he will get a chance to make a name for himself.  Find out more Monday morning at 7:30 AM as Matt Bowen from Nationalfootballpost.com joins Travis and Tim for a post Combine breakdown.



If you can't wait until the interview, read this story.

Omaha Media Lower Expectations For Huskers?

Recruits have signed.  Coaches have been fired.  Coaches have been hired.  July 1st Nebraska officially becomes a member of the Big 10 Conference. 

Pieces of the puzzle appear to be in place and Big Red fans are looking for a fast start out of the gate in the Legends Division.  A division Nebraska will be competitive in each and every season, okay should be competitive in.

Spring practice starts March 12th and it seems like the Omaha media is already making excuses for why the Huskers might struggle.  Okay, not the Omaha media per say, the Omaha World Herald.  Twice in the last week there have been stories making excuses for Nebraska and why the Huskers might struggle this season. Beat writers and columnist seem to be going out of their way in protecting new Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck.  This is what we call the honeymoon.  Note to Beck enjoy it why you can because it was these same beat writers and columnist who were quick to strike at Shawn Watson.

Sunday's paper has this story by Rich Kaipust  and Dirk Chatelain breaking down the "youth" movement that Beck has to work with.  Breaking down almost every offensive position and why Nebraska might struggle with what is ahead.

Tim Beck

Last Wednesday, Tom Shatel wrote this column about being patient with Beck.  Shatel points out that there only 44 practices to implement the new offense.  An offense that is supposed to be simpler, play to each players strengths and attack opposing defenses.  Sure Beck is a first time Offensive Coordinator but come on, this is not his first rodeo. 

Lets be honest, Nebraska fans have been patient with the offense since 2003.  They were patient with Barney Cotton.  They were patient with Bill Callahan.  They were patient with Shawn Watson.  Almost 10 years!  That is a long time to be patient.  Bo Pelini is starting his 4th year has head coach and I can promise you that he is not a patient man.  He's made changes because he expects results.  He's made changes because he expects wins.  He's made changes because he expects championships.

The writers make a very good case in their argument. But they also make it sound like Nebraska is starting over.  The Huskers are NOT starting over, they are starting A NEW with the Big 10.  A move that comes with big expectations, now is not the time to lower them.

Are You A Fan?

The official HuskerHawkeye will not launch until May 1st or a little after, but you can become a fan right now.  Just click on the Facebook link and click like.  It's that simple and we can start building momentum now. 

Our talent pool of writers will live by a simple mission.  To provide Iowa and Nebraska fans up-to-date information.  Honest Opinion.  Provide fan interaction.  Supply accurate gaming information for everything Hawkeye and Husker or Husker and Hawkeye.

This the one website where your can be a fan of Nebraska or Iowa.  This will be one of the great rivalries in the Big 10 and at HuskerHawkeye.com, legends collide!

The Case For And Against Nebraska Basketball

Doc All Smiles

The post season will have to wait at least another year for the Iowa Hawkeyes.  In Lincoln, Nebraska Big Red fans are enjoying life on the bubble.  This is reason to celebrate considering Nebraska hasn’t played in the NCAA Tournament since the 1997-98 season.  During the “Big Dance” drought the Huskers have played second fiddle to Creighton for hoops supremacy in the Good Life State and had to settle for five NIT appearances.

After beating then 2^nd ranked Texas last Saturday the Nebraska media have started making plans for a dance invitation.  I would caution those making travel arrangement that there are still four games left in the regular season, four games that could burst the Big Red Bubble.

The Case Against Nebraska:

·         RPI 63-Climbing yes but high enough? Debatable

·         SOS-79-Take the Big 12 games out of the Mix and Huskers Should be embarrassed of their non conference.

·         Bad Losses

o   Davidson

o   Texas Tech

·         Out of sight, out of mind.  It’s been so long since the Huskers have been talked about that the selection committee might have to ask if Nebraska even has a basketball program

The Case For Nebraska

·         Three straight wins-Winning late is always a good thing

·         RPI 63-This number is moving in the right direction

·         Great Wins

o   Texas A&M-RPI 27

o   Texas-RPI 8

·         Remaining Schedule

o   K-State (Home) RPI 30

o    @ Iowa State RPI 146

o    Missouri (Home) RPI 29

o    @ Colorado RPI 93

All four are very winnable considering both K-State and Missouri are at home, if the Huskers win all four they are a guaranteed a dance invitation.  3-1 and the invitation is in the envelope just not in the mail.  2-2, back on the bubble but a win in the Big 12 Tournament makes them one of the 68.  2-2 and lose in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament and Doc Sadler is sweating bullets on selection Sunday.  If Nebraska goes 1-3 or 0-4 to close the season, it’s back to the NIT barring any Big 12 Tournament miracle.

Right now I like the Huskers chances; they are doing the right things at the right time.  

Doc Sadler Saving His Job?

Not that Doc was in any danger this season, but with a new practice facility a new arena and a new conference the pressure is starting to mount.

Finally the Nebraska Basketball Team is showing signs of life late in the season, winning at Oklahoma Wednesday night.   I know the Sooners aren’t very good but the victory was milestone so to speak for the Big Red; their first road win in over two years and their first victory in Norman since 1999.

We’ll find out a lot more about how good this Nebraska basketball team is this weekend with Texas coming to the Devaney Center.  Improbable, maybe but certainly not impossible as the Nebraska has now held 15 opponents this year below 60 points.   Also, Nebraska is getting solid production from their bigs, Jorge Brian Diaz with a season high 17 points and a career high 3 blocks.   I wrote about his earlier in the season, if the Husker big men can play big then this team will be one to pay attention to.

Fans are seeing it as well as voters in our HawkeyeHusker fan poll see Nebraska advancing in the Big 12 Tournament.

Poll Question: 

                What team will advance farther in their conference tournament?

                                Iowa                                      25%

                                Nebraska                              50%

                                Both out in 1^st round           25%

Of course this poll is for fans and is non-scientific and no margin of error.  But I can’t say that I disagree with the results.

Iowa plays hard but the Hawks still have an uphill battle and effort only gets you so far in the Big 10.  Iowa is at Northwestern tonight a team they lost to by 19 over a month ago.  Another problem, Iowa can’t score on the road:

Avg. Total Points Home:  69

Avg. Total Points Away:   57.6

Iowa is playing a Wildcat team that has lost some of its bite, losers of five of their last six games.  Unfortunately a home game against the Hawks might be what Northwestern needs as it has won 7 of the past 9 home games against Iowa.    Northwestern is 10-3 at home this season while Iowa is a dismal 2-6 on the road.

Bo Pelini Is A Free Man

Freedom!

To quote William Wallace, "Freeeedom!"   It’s taken three seasons to get out of what must have felt like coaching prison.   Today the handcuffs are officially taken off has he finally has a staff that is 100% his.

We should say best of luck to Shawn Watson and Ted Gilmore both  are good men and good coaches, but let’s be honest their departure should have happened when Bill Callahan was shown the door.

Shawn Watson

Luckily or unluckily for both Watson and Gilmore, Athletic Director Tom Osborne believes a lot in stability and when he fired Billy C Osborne believed the offense was in good hands with Watson.  So he handcuffed his new head coach with two guys that were doomed from the beginning of the relationship. 

For the life of me I still can’t figure out why Gilmore stayed around, he didn’t add anything when he worked for Callahan and his presence was even weaker under new leadership.

Watson was given every chance to succeed; at times it looked like he would.   But in the day and age of spread offenses, creative thinking, and scoring points he failed to live up the challenge.  In the end Watson was vanilla when everyone else was looking for a different flavor. 

Now that Pelini is a free man, the pressure will be different.   With Watson in charge of the offense everyone knew that he was handpicked by Osborne and Bo could wash his hands of it.   Promoting Tim Beck to the OC position now falls on Pelini and his ability to make decisions.    Husker fans have huge expectations and with the coaches changes announced today the Big Red faithful fully expect those expectations to be me.   For Bo, that’s the price of freedom.

She Throws Pole For A Living!

Okay, I am having way too much fun with the SI Swim Suit videos!  But Leryn Franco is on of three international athletes featured this year.   With a good tight grip Leryn throws good pole...  Sorry, javelin. 

Watch the video below and I bet you have a whole new appreciation for the sport!


Who cares that she finished 42nd out of 45 throwers in the Athens Olympic Games.

Sports Illustrated: Safe For Work... Or Is It?

When I was in high school they always used to take the Sports Illustrated Swim Suit edition out of the library.  I guess seeing some nipple through a mesh swim suit was a a bad thing. 

I hope your place of employment doesn't block si.com, if it does you will want to log on when you get home.  The free video online is better than any magazine shoot and there are plenty of videos to choose from.  My favorite so far, Kate Upton.  After watching this you will need a cold shower!

Can Nebraska Beat Iowa?

The purpose of this blog and future website is to provide information and option for fans of both Iowa and Nebraska. 

The countdown is on to the first Big 10 meeting between these two schools on November 26th in Lincoln.   Can Nebraska beat Iowa?   Can Iowa beat Nebraska?  The answer is yes to both questions, but looking at 2011 it looks like a toss up, at least to the fearless or should I say fearful writers at The Bleacher Report, they go out of their way to pick the first 11 games of the Huskers first Big Ten season but seem to be stuck on game 12.

Brooklyn Decker In A Husker Bikini

Just kidding!  I'm sure her Husker loving husband would love to see her in one and probably has.  As you can see in the video below, Brooklyn looks great in just about anything or close to nothing!  The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Video shoot!  This will get your mind off of football and basketball for a while.

Pressure Mounts As Coaching Changes Loom Closer

Bo Pelini

This is expected to be a big week in Huskerville.   On Thursday we could and should officially know that Bo Pelini has hired four new assistant coaches to lead the Big Red into the Big 10 Era.    The coaches expected to be named are:

• Corey Raymond-Defensive Backs
• Ross Els-Linebackers
• Josh Garrison-Offensive Line
• Rich Fisher-Running Backs

It's the worst kept secret in college football and the lack of secrecy apparently has Pelini pretty upset.  So much so that I have learned he had an athletic department meeting on Monday to address the "leaks".  I hear he was pretty animated and talked about how this has been hard on his family as well families of the assistant coaches.   We've all seen Bo animated on the sidelines (he's not one to hold back his emotions) I can only imagine what he was like behind closed doors.  I'm willing to bet some people left scared.

I would assume the assistant coaches he's talking about are about Shawn Watson and Ted Gilmore considering they have been "replaced" without being fired (yet).  I don't blame the "leaks" from the inside for adding to the pressure to the situation, I blame Bo.  Don't give me this University hiring guidelines BS, he's taken what he thought was a good plan and had it blow up on him.   I know he likes both Watson and Gilmore and he's been trying help them find employment somewhere so it looks like they are "moving on".  However, there is a drop dead date for change and it looks like its coming on Thursday. 

Bo is finding out the hard way that even "Husker Family" members spill the beans now and then.  He just wasn't prepared to clean up the mess.

Husker fans are ready for this change, they embrace it and look forward to it.  Bo and his family might be feeling the pressure today but once the "official" announcement is made it will be like a great big weight lifted off of every one's shoulders.

Huskers To Be First Big 10 Legend?

Fans voting in the HuskerHawkeye poll have picked Nebraska to win a Big 10 Legends Division championship before Iowa.

Results from our non-scientific, sometimes bias poll are as follows:

What team will win the Big 10 Legends Division first?

Nebraska  68%

Iowa          32%

The big question is can Nebraska win the division in its first year of Big 10 competition?  The answer is yes!  Seven starters are back a defense that will be stout.  The Huskers return five starters on offense that will be revamped and includes speedy QB Taylor Martinez who at times looked like the fastest player in college football last season. 

Iowa will have some hills to climb.  A total of 10 starters return, this ties the Hawks for 2^nd nationally for the fewest amount of returning starters.   Auburn, coming off of its national championship run as the fewest returning starters with 7.  

Iowa also must replace quarterback Ricky Stanzi and we all know there are growing pains in replacing an established three year starter.

Here is the breakdown of returning starters according to ESPN for each team in the Big 10.

Legends Division:

Team	Returning Starters	Offense	Defense	Special Teams
Iowa	10	5	4	1
Nebraska	12	5	7	0
Michigan	20	9	9	2
Michigan St.	13	6	6	1
Northwestern	17	7	9	2
Minnesota	15	5	9	1

Nebraska, Michigan, Northwestern and Michigan State all return a starting QB

Leaders Division:

Team	Returning Starters	Offense	Defense	Special Teams
Purdue	18	7	9	2
Penn State	16	7	8	1
Indiana	15	6	7	2
Illinois	13	6	6	1
Ohio State	13	8	4	1
Wisconsin	12	4	6	2

Purdue, Penn State, Illinois and Ohio State all return a starting QB

Nebraska Quarterback For Sale But He's No Cam Newton

Bubba Starling

Nebraska quarterback recruit Bubba Starling isn't some hick from Kansas.  He knows he has value on the football field and a lot of value on the baseball diamond.  Starling is considered one of the top baseball prospects in the country and will go very high in the MLB draft.

A week after signing a letter of intent to play football for the Huskers, Starling tells the Kansas City Star he is for sale... Here's the quote; "Obviously it's something I would have to consider, but it's going to have to take a lot of money for me not to go to Nebraska."   That is the long version of "SHOW ME THE MONEY!"

You can read the entire story Here

The great thing about this, Bubba can say that and not get in trouble with the NCAA.   He can ask for all the money in the world and still be a Husker if he wants to.  

Obviously he's getting great advice, did I mention his "advisor" is Scott Boras. Yes that Scott Boras who has negotiated some of the biggest contracts in baseball.   Robinson Cano signed on with Boras last week and here is a current list of clients as of December, 2010.

Scott Boras

Boras has clearly advised Starling to lay the groundwork very early.  A key negotiating tactic where Bubba holds all the cards, remember he can play football and baseball at Nebraska.

If one seeks out good business "advice", they will do what their advisor tells them to do.   And Boras is not afraid to tell his "clients" to hold out for money and big money.  Remember J.D. Drew?    Drafted 2nd overall by the Phillies but refused to sign because he didn't get 10-Million.  That takes a huge sack and Boras balls the size of ostrich eggs. 

Big Balls

We'll find out if Bubba's got balls.

The fact that Starling has Boras in his camp already leads me to believe baseball is this kids future... Will that be June, July, August or 2015?

Coaches Finally Removed From Website

Somebody at Huskers.com must be reading this blog.  Thanks, whomever you are!    Sunday I reported that former assistant coaches Mike Ekeler and Marvin Sanders were still listed on the coaches section of the website.  They were still there on Monday and Tuesday.   Ekeler left after the Bowl game and Sanders resigned for "personal" reasons last week.  So personal that Las Vegas Sports Books had to take the reason for leaving off the board because of internet rumors and second had stories.

I am happy to report today they have been removed.   Ekeler is now an assistant at Indiana and Sanders... We we don't know what Marvin is doing and I bet we don't see him for a while.

Now we wait for Shawn Watson and Ted Gilmore to be removed from the website.  The only question is, who will replace them? 

For some reason the Athletic Department is all of the sudden hiring coaches based on University protocol so it might be until next week when we get official word that Ross Els and Cory Raymond have been hired.  But who else?

Bo Knows But Is He Telling The Truth?

The worst kept secret in the state of Nebraska is that there are going to be coaching changes at Nebraska.  On the defensive side of the ball we know because Mike Ekeler and Marvin Sanders are no longer on the staff.  

On offense, Ted Gilmore and Shawn Watson are as good as gone in fact they've been replaced if you read today's story on Big Red Today.   I find this read interesting based on what coach Pelini told Tom Shatel last Friday. 

Tom Shatel Blog Entry

8 p.m., Friday: I spoke with Nebraska football coach Bo Pelini early Friday evening on a variety of timely topics:
1. When I asked Pelini about the job posting for an offensive coach on the UNL website, he said, "what job posting?'' Pelini said he didn't know anything about it, quickly adding, "That could be for an internship or it could be that (Jeff) Jamrog (assistant AD for football) put that up there. Sometimes when we have lower-level openings, we do that.''
Are there are any openings on Pelini's offensive staff, such as coordinator or receiver's coach?
"No, no offensive staff openings,'' Pelini said.
That makes the timing of that posting all the more curious. Whoever posted it must not have been aware of the speculation surrounding Shawn Watson or Ted Gilmore this week. Why put that out there now?
Even more curious are some of the descriptions in the job post, including "conduct student-athlete recruiting'' and "responsible for offensive game preparation, on-field strategies and game tactics.'' If that's for an intern or lower-level job, that's some accelerated program they have there.
2. Pelini had an agreement with Indiana coach Kevin Wilson not to say anything about assistant coach Corey Raymond coming to NU until Raymond had officially been hired. Wilson jumped the gun and confirmed the hire on Wednesday, national signing day, putting Pelini in a tough spot because he couldn't comment on Marvin Sanders' status.
3. Pelini said Sanders' future was not officially wrapped up until Thursday. Pelini said he was not at liberty to discuss Sanders and refused to comment on Sanders any further than his statement on Thursday.
4. Pelini said he was close to hiring Ross Els as linebacker's coach but offered no timetable.
5. Pelini wouldn't comment on Scott Frost or any of the other speculation involving possible offensive coordinators or assistants.

Take a closer look at item number on 1.  Come on coach don't place blame on Jeff Jamrog.  There's no way that could be posted the way it was without you knowing it.  That job description is not for an intern, interns get coffee and do grunt work not recruit and game plan.  So forgive us coach if we believe everything that comes out of your mouth. 

On the positive side, Pelini has never, ever said a bad word about Watson in public and had supported him even when times were tough.  If Bo really is trying to help Watson land a job in the NFL that says a lot about their relationship and what kind of coach Bo thinks Shawn is. 

As for Ted Gilmore.... Who's Ted Gilmore?  Seriously for a guy who has a the tag of Assistant Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, fans could care less if he stays or goes.  Why?  He hasn't had a huge impact one way or another.

Leaders Before Legends

Purdue will be the first Big 10 team to take the field for spring practice.  The Boilermakers are coming off a 4-8 season, they will play their spring game on April 9th.

It's hard to believe we are actually talking about spring football already, but now that the NFL is over, what are we going to talk about between here and the draft?   The NIT for the Nebraska basketball team and the great progress of the Iowa basketball team.

Here are the spring practice start dates and spring game dates according to ESPN.

Legends Division
Northwestern March 7 and April 16
Nebraska- March 12 and April 16
Michigan- March 19 and April 16
Iowa- March 21 and April 16
Michigan State- March 22 and April 30
Minnesota- March 24 and April 23

Leaders  Division
Purdue- March 1 and April 9
Indiana-March 8 and April 19
Penn State- March 18 and April 16
Wisconsin- March 22 and April 23
Illinois- March 29 and April 23

Ohio State- March 31 and April 23

And You Thought Iowa Had A lot Of Drama!

Bo Pelini

David Ubben keeps a great tally on the Nebraska Football team.  Year In Rewind  You read this and the stability returned to the Nebraska Football program when Bo Pelini was hired looks like a dysfunctional family.

I reads worse than it really is but for Bo to say he didn't know anything about a job posting on the University Website is BS.  But I'll tell you what, I wouldn't want to play Omaha Poker with Bo, he has the best poker face in the country and keeps his cards to his vest.

College Football On Sunday? It Could Happen

Think about it, Nebraska vs. Ohio State on Sunday afternoon or even Iowa doing battle with Michigan in prime time on Sunday night this fall. 

Not possible you say.  Well it could be if if the NFL and the Players Union can't come up with the new CBA.  The ripple of effect of no NFL games will set of a chain reaction for survival as well as content.

Networks could look to fill the void left by no NFL games on Sunday.  What else would you replace it with, the UFL? 

A great story at Covers.com outlines the actual damage that could be done if the owners and players can't figure this mess out.

Reasons Not To Become A Husker

 

Scott Frost

Ever since he was in high school, Scott Frost does what is best for Scott Frost.  The Wood River, Nebraska native spurned Big Red fans back in the 90's when he bolted for the West Coast and the chance to play for legendary Head Coach Bill Walsh at Stanford.

When it became clear he was not going to be the next Joe Montana, Scott did what was best for Scott and returned to Nebraska to play quarterback for the Huskers.  The right decision as Scott goes 24-2 as a starter.  It was his passionate post game speech that I think tipped the voting scales by the coaches and gave Nebraska a split National Championship in the final game for Tom Osborne as the Head Coach at Nebraska.

I have known Scott to make only one bad business deal in his life, the now bankrupt "Letterman's Club" in Omaha.  (Husker fans and a handful of investors know exactly what I am talking about.

Today we learn that frost will NOT return to Nebraska to become an assistant coach under Bo Pelini. Read Husker Extra Story Here

Why would he?  The move was not in the best interest of Scott Frost.  I know it's hard for Husker fans wearing big red blinders to understand why the native son would not want to return.  I have news for these fans, the world does not center around Husker Football, even to former players.

Leaving a position coaching job at Oregon to be a position coach at Nebraska is a lateral move at best.   Okay you can throw on the co-coordinator title but that's all it would be, a title.  Kind of like a corporation, the best way to give a pay raise is hand out the title of Vice President. 

Frost has talent, he's heading for bigger things and coming back to Lincoln would only slow his progress. By not coming back he can take a better job and grow professionally and take a faster path to being a head coach.   His resume' will continue to look better under what many think is innovative offense that racks up yards and scores a lot of points.  Right now it's good to be a Duck!

The old days of loyalty are over!  Tom Osborne was lucky that he kept his staff intact for as long as he did and it was big reason for his success.  But the game and most of all the money has changed a lot since 1997 and coaches today are know different from players or big time corporate execs, they are going to look out for numero uno!

While fans might be disappointed a former Husker is not coming home, there many reasons not to:

• Lateral move
• Money
• Ego
• It's not the same as it once was
• Timing

I for one don't think Bo Pelini is a lifer in Lincoln. He too will want a different challenge one day.  If Frost plays his cards right he will come back one day... But as the head coach, remember Scott Frost is all about Scott Frost.  It has served him well so far.

Hot Sideline Reporters

Fans of both Iowa and Nebraska can celebrate the Big 10 Network, not just for all the games and programming for for the quality of talent!  Melanie Collins is coming to a sideline near you! 

Check out the six of the hottest sideline reporters on TV today.  Hot and Talented

Yes, Erin Andrews is on the list, but is she the hottest? 

Still Listed

Update 2/7/2010

The latest check of the http://www.huskers.com/ website stilll has Marvin Sanders and Mike Ekeler still listed as coaches on the staff.  Both are now longer employed by the Univeristy.

Shawn Watson and Ted Gilmore are also still listed as assistant coaches.  They technically are still employed but the hammer should drop any day.
---------------------------

Whatever you do, don't check http://www.huskers.com/SportSelect.dbml?spid=22&spsid=2&db_oem_id=100to see what coaches are still on the staff.  At last check, 2/6/2011 Marvin Sanders and Mike Ekeler were still listed with pictures and bios.  I'm sure this is just a sports information oversight.

Ekeler resigned in December to take the Co-defensive Coordinator job at Indiana.

Sanders resigned last week because of "personal and family" reasons.

I besides looking for new job postings at the University I keep checking to see if Shawn Watson and Ted Gilmore are still on the website... And yes they are.

Nebraska: A Human Resource Nightmare

Things in Lincoln, Nebraska might appear a lot worse than they really are.  But looking bad makes the Husker program appear like it can’t make a decision.  From the outside, the employment practices inside the Tom and Nancy Osborne Complex looks more like a Human Resources nightmare.



Shawn Watson



Let’s start with Shawn Watson (Offensive Coordinator) and Ted Gilmore (Recruiting Coordinator), are they fired or aren’t they fired?   Head Coach Bo Pelini has not announced any changes to the staff but all indications point towards the inevitable for the two holdovers from the Bill Callahan era.

Watson and Gilmore have been silent and out of sight, skipping (or not invited) the annual recruiting dinners in Omaha and Lincoln.   

To make things more interesting, a job posting for an offensive coach on the UNL website.   I didn’t know there was a job available.   At least nothing has been announced and both Watson and Gilmore are still listed on the coaches section of Huskers.com

Maybe it’s in the details of the contract buyout and severance package for both coaches.   Maybe it’s the fact that Bo Pelini doesn’t want to make a move until he has a firm plan in place.  Whatever it is I commend both Watson and Gilmore.



Ted Gilmore



Say what you want about their coaching abilities.  Both men have represented the University, the Athletic Department and the Football Team in a first class manner.   To have the (assumed) departure played out in public and for such a long period of time is note fare to both men.  Coaches get fired all the time; some would say it’s a rite of passage.   Most departures are quick and painless; this one seems to be cruel and unusual.  Watson and Gilmore are fuming internally, but externally they are handling the situation like the professionals they have always been.

Flashback to 2003 when Bo Pelini took over the Head Coaching position on an interim basis when Frank Solich got fired,  Bo wanted the interim tag removed.  However Bo watched Steve Pederson botch a coaching search in the public arena.   Bo didn’t appreciate the lack of communication from Pederson, he didn’t like how it was played out in public and he found it disrespectful considering he led the Huskers to an Alamo Bowl win over Michigan State.

Flash forward to 2011 and Bo appears to be making the same mistakes (at least on the surface) there’s no communication and this fiasco is being played out in public.  Both the Omaha World Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star have reported on possible assistant coaches being interviewed.  Internet chatters is at record levels for being the off season.

If you follow college football on daily basis, you see a lot of teams making staff changes right after LOI day.  Those other teams make them swiftly and without a lot of hoopla.    Changes are coming at Nebraska, let’s just hope then next time Bo wants to fire and hire he has a better game plan.  If he’s been calling the plays on this one he should call it the help of UNL Human Resources, they’re the experts.