Cornhusker Fans in here!

[DBroncos4life]

Originally Posted by Kid A

I need to get away from the computer, because I keep swinging back and forth on who I want. The more I think about it, the more I like Turner over Pelini. Still, I don't mind the Grobe rumors either. He may be up there in age, but I think he would be as close to a safe pick as there is.

I guess we'll have to trust TO on this. So far it sounds like he is not rushing this and is going to interview more than two people. He knows how important a choice this is, both to the health of the program and to his legacy. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on whoever he picks.

Grobe would be my third choice. Your right on about him being the safer pick and to tell you the truth he would bring more of a father figure to our players then Turner or Kelly because of the age.

[Master___Pain]

All but official now. Pellini in at NU. Should be announced after the SEC championship game.

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by Master___Pain

All but official now. Pellini in at NU. Should be announced after the SEC championship game.

Where are you hearing that from? That had been the major rumor for a few days, but it cooled off yesterday and it sounds like they are definitely going to interview Brian Kelly and there are rumors that Paul Johnson is getting a look after the Army game.

[BMF Bronco]

where did you find this out?

[Master___Pain]

A poster at allbuffs of all places is very well connected to the coaching community. He had the Sherman hiring pegged a full 24 hours before the media got a hold of it. He said in that in the players meeting with TO that TO announced that Pellini had accepted the NU offer and that they would announce after the SEC CG. Players were told to keep it quiet.

[DBroncos4life]

Reports: Nebraska receives permission to talk to Kelly
News Record Sports
Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: Sports

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According to bearcatlair.com and James Farmer of bearcatinsider.com, University of Nebraska officials have asked and been granted permission to speak with University of Cincinnati head football coach Brian Kelly about its head coaching vacancy.

A member of the UC Department of Athletics could neither confirm nor deny the reports when contacted.

Prior to UC's game vs. Syracuse Saturday, Nov. 24, Kelly would not address the speculation of him leaving for another job, telling Bill Kock of The Cincinnati Enquirer "Job speculation and all those things, we've got plenty of time to do that after this weekend." Those comments were published in the Nov. 20 edition of The Enquirer.

However, following UC's victory over Syracuse, the Department of Athletics sent out a release on Monday, Nov. 26, stating, "Director of Athletics Mike Thomas and head football coach Brian Kelly will not be commenting on any active football coaching searches or the status of Kelly's contract at the University of Cincinnati."

Kelly just finished his first season as head coach at UC posting a 9-3 regular season record, and is awaiting word on which bowl game they will play in.

http://media.www.newsrecord.org/medi...-3118201.shtml

[DBroncos4life]

Originally Posted by Master___Pain

A poster at allbuffs of all places is very well connected to the coaching community. He had the Sherman hiring pegged a full 24 hours before the media got a hold of it. He said in that in the players meeting with TO that TO announced that Pellini had accepted the NU offer and that they would announce after the SEC CG. Players were told to keep it quiet.

Its possible but there is no one talking like its a done deal on Huskerpedia.com

Then there is this....

NU Football: Osborne tight lipped
BY RICH KAIPUST
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

• Reader submissions
• Online Extra: The end of the Callahan years
• Reader comments on the NU football coaching search
• Football: Osborne's on the run in search for coach
RELATED
• Reader submissions
• Online Extra: The end of the Callahan years
• Reader comments on the NU football coaching search
• Football: Osborne's on the run in search for coach
LINCOLN — Everybody was anticipating a bombshell, and Tom Osborne delivered after a 15-minute meeting with Nebraska football players on Tuesday.

Click to Enlarge

Nebraska interim Athletic Director Tom Osborne said he is "still talking to a few people" regarding the football coaching position.
"I'm going to go — hopefully go — recruiting on Thursday and Friday," Osborne said.

What? Were you expecting something else?

"We all thought it was going to be about coaches," NU freshman receiver Niles Paul said.

Osborne apparently didn't mention Bo Pelini, Turner Gill, Jim Grobe, Brian Kelly or anybody else linked to the search to replace Bill Callahan as coach. Instead, the interim athletic director talked with the Huskers about going to class and lifting weights and the team's postseason banquet on Saturday night.

"Nothing about the coaching thing," senior offensive tackle Carl Nicks said. "We pretty much just let him talk and that was it."

Osborne returned to Lincoln on Monday night after going through Baton Rouge, La., and Atlanta. According to people close to the situation and published reports, he met with or interviewed Pelini, the Louisiana State defensive coordinator; Gill, the Buffalo coach; and Grobe, the Wake Forest coach.

Late Tuesday, the rivals.com site for the University of Cincinnati was reporting that Nebraska had been granted permission to speak with Kelly, the Bearcats' first-year coach. Cincinnati officials already have told the World-Herald that Athletic Director Mike Thomas would not be commenting on Kelly and any potential job scenarios.

Osborne briefly talked with reporters after the team meeting on Tuesday and said he hadn't yet offered the job to anybody. He declined to say whom he already has met with, and added only that he is "still talking to a few people."

"I don't want to get into any specifics," Osborne said. "When the time comes, we'll make sure everything is laid out for you. There won't be any secrets."

When would that time be? "Hopefully sooner than later," Osborne said.

Nebraska is just a few days into the coaching search, but the attention has yet to fade since the Callahan announcement on Saturday.

"The state's in crisis right now," said junior offensive tackle Lydon Murtha, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Everyone wants to know. Everyone wants to know. I could really care less. A coach is a coach."

Neither Pelini nor Gill was available for comment on Tuesday. Pelini is involved with preparations for the SEC championship game on Saturday, while Gill was continuing a recruiting trip to Florida and North Carolina, according to the Buffalo News.

The Sporting News reported Tuesday that Grobe met with Osborne and NU Chancellor Harvey Perlman on Monday in Atlanta. Wake Forest offensive coordinator Steed Lobotzke declined to comment on that report or any interest Grobe might have in the Huskers.

One of Osborne's next moves, he said, was to make some in-home and school visits to recruits. His focus would be on players already committed to NU, "and most of those will be close by."

Only one snag. Osborne first needs to pass his NCAA certification test to recruit.

"If I don't pass the test, I won't be able to go out," he said. "I hope I can remember enough to get it passed."

Most players said they weren't getting antsy with the coaching situation. Sophomore safety Rickey Thenarse said that didn't change after Tuesday.

"He didn't say too much," Thenarse said. "He said he's going to recruit. He didn't talk about the new coach. He just said we'll know very soon.

"Whoever will be the head coach, I hope they play the best players. That's all."

The news media was thrown a curveball on Tuesday when it lost the ability to track the private plane used by Osborne and Perlman on Sunday and Monday. The aircraft registered to Norfolk Iron and Metal Co., owned by NU booster Richard Robinson, paid a fee to have it removed from flight-tracking Web sites.

Husker quarterback Zac Lee said people would find out everything soon enough. Murtha said, "I swear," when saying there was nothing to report.

"I'm sure if he wanted that out there, he'd share with you guys," Lee said. "He's got an idea, and we trust that he's going to make the right decision."

World-Herald staff writers Dirk Chatelain and Mitch Sherman contributed to this report.


Contact the Omaha World-Herald newsroom

Copyright ©2007 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pag...u_sid=10195288

[Kid A]

There were tons of rumors that the meeting yesterday was announcing that Pelini was the coach. MULTIPLE players and officials have said this is not true at all. It was a scheduled end of year, "keep up on your grades", and vote for team MVP meeting. TO barely spoke.

Not saying it isn't possible, but I doubt he would be conducting more interviews just as a smoke screen. Plus Osborne has said the search is not over, and while he may not be a saint, I don't think he has lied to the media once about anything through this process.

[Kid A]

Omaha World Herald summary of candidates who have most likely been interviewed:

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pag...u_sid=10195731

Turner Gill
Head Coach, Buffalo
• Upside: Few coaches have a better grasp of Nebraska tradition and Osborne's recipe for success. But Gill has been away from Lincoln for three years and could blend old and new, which may be what Osborne is looking for. Gill, as popular an assistant as Nebraska has ever had, would rally support among the program's supporters
• Downside: Going from Buffalo to Nebraska is a monumental coaching jump. Gill hasn't worked in many systems outside of Nebraska's. And maybe most important, he's not the fiery motivator who could resurrect Nebraska's Blackshirts.
• Nebraska ties: One of Osborne's best quarterbacks, Gill never lost a Big Eight Conference game as a starter. In 1983, he operated arguably Nebraska's best-ever offense. In 1992, he returned to Osbornes side, this time as an assistant coach. He helped develop option specialists Tommie Frazier, Scott Frost and Eric Crouch. He survived coaching transition and worked under Bill Callahan for one year, leaving after the 2004 season.
• Résumé: Gill is still pretty new to the head coaching role. But in just two years at Buffalo, he has begun to flip a losing culture. Buffalo won five games in 2007, compared to 12 total in its first eight years as a member of Division I-A. In the process, Gill has constructed a fan base that previously didn't exist.
• Personality: Gill's honesty and character made him one of Nebraska's best recruiters and one of Osborne's best friends. He's even-keel, understated and businesslike, but popular with players.

Jim Grobe
Head Coach, Wake Forest
• Upside: Start with character. His humility is unusual in the coaching business. "Grobey", as his friends and children call him, still considers himself a hillbilly from West Virginia. He treats his assistants better than some head coaches treat their families. And, of course, he wins at places youre not supposed to with an offense that would appeal to Osborne. It's enticing to think what he could do with elite talent.
• Downside: Grobe, 55, signed a 10-year extension in February, meaning Nebraska would have to pay in the range of $2 million to get him out of the contract. Also, he's kept the same assistants since his days at Ohio and takes pride in that cohesion. The chances of finding room for former Nebraska assistants like Marvin Sanders and Barney Cotton would be unlikely.
• Nebraska Ties: None, although he counts former Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry as a mentor. Osborne and DeBerry have known each other for years.
• Résumé: Program builder. He won at Ohio when it was one of the country's worst programs. He's winning at Wake Forest, one of the smallest schools in Division I. He won national coach of the year honors after leading the Demon Deacons to the 2006 ACC championship.
• Personality: Grobe is relatively laid back by coaching standards, but he knows how to motivate by pushing the right buttons. He reportedly doesn't have an agent, nor does he enjoy hearing his name come up for other jobs. "I think some people have agents that are floating their names all over the place in every job that comes open, whether it's Podunk Hollow or whatever, to get their names mentioned," Grobe told the Winston-Salem Journal last year. "I think that makes some people feel real, real good. But that doesn't have any appeal to me whatsoever." Sounds like a guy Osborne would like.

Brian Kelly
Head Coach, Cincinnati
• Upside: He's an offensive wizard who teaches a no-huddle version of the spread similar to Missouris attack. Hes an experienced head coach, having led three programs. He won national titles at Division II Grand Valley State. Critics say he's winning at Central Michigan and Cincinnati with players he didn't recruit. Fans of Kelly say that makes his success all the more impressive.
• Downside: His bravado may not sell with Osborne and Nebraska. There's also doubt whether he'd be interested - his name has come up in speculation about the Michigan job. And Kelly, for the most part, stays away from the defense. Why's that important? Nebraska could use a defensive emphasis after a disastrous 2007.
• Nebraska ties: None, and his comfort zone appears to be the Michigan-Ohio area into the Northeast. Former Husker and assistant Jimmy Williams assisted Kelly in 2001 at Grand Valley State.
• Résumé: They don't get a whole lot better for a 46-year-old. He won two national titles at Grand Valley State and quickly turned around two Division I programs, winning nine games at Cincinnati this season. People around Central Michigan, where he coached three seasons, call him the next Urban Meyer - the Florida coach was at Bowling Green in 2001-02.
• Personality: Tom Osborne was a coach turned politician. Brian Kelly is a politician turned coach. He could sell water to a whale, one of his Cincinnati players told the New York Times. Those who have worked with Kelly compare him to Steve Spurrier or Rick Pitino. He's not afraid to boast of his accomplishments, but he's shrewd in his delivery. Unlike Bill Callahan, he'd rather be rubbing elbows with boosters than breaking down film. He counts Bobby Kennedy as a role model.

Bo Pelini
Defensive Coordinator, LSU
• Upside: Few coaches get players to perform with the intensity of Pelini's troops. By all accounts, he's a rising star in the business with a desire to match his wit. He's been on the big stage, coaching in the NFL playoffs and in BCS bowl games with Oklahoma and LSU. He prepared the Huskers beautifully for the 2003 Alamo Bowl. And, of course, Nebraska could really use his hard-nosed passion right now.
• Downside: He's never been a head coach at any level, which may put him at a disadvantage in a formal interview. He turns 40 in two weeks and would be learning on the job. He may have to rein in some of his player-friendly qualities to take on a CEO role. And there are always those instances - like ripping Bill Snyder for running up the score - in which Pelini's temper got the best of him.
• Nebraska ties: A close friend of Monte Kiffin, Pelini was hired in 2003 to resurrect the Blackshirts. He won over fans immediately. He was a fan favorite to replace Frank Solich and understands the passion and tradition built by Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne.
• Résumé: Pelini would be completely prepared for Nebraska and, at the same time, entering uncharted territory. He's assisted some of the games biggest names: George Seifert, Pete Carroll and Bob Stoops, among others. No Division I-A team has produced defenses the past three years as good as LSU's. Though Pelini hasn't been a head coach, his former Nebraska players swear he'd excel.
• Personality: No nonsense. No political correctness. Coaches don't get much more popular among players. He'd much rather deliver motivational speeches and teach techniques than schmooze boosters.

[Master___Pain]

Question....since when do AD's go out on the road and recruit?

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by Master___Pain

Question....since when do AD's go out on the road and recruit?

That is a good question. Unusual for sure. He did secure the top ranked JuCo player in the nation for us a couple weeks ago, though, so I'm not going to complain He seems to be very concerned about getting a good recruiting class this year, despite the turmoil, so I think he is trying to do everything he can to ensure that happens until a head coach is named.

[Master___Pain]

Originally Posted by Kid A

That is a good question. Unusual for sure. He did secure the top ranked JuCo player in the nation for us a couple weeks ago, though, so I'm not going to complain He seems to be very concerned about getting a good recruiting class this year, despite the turmoil, so I think he is trying to do everything he can to ensure that happens until a head coach is named.

I guess it's not any sort of violation then, just not standard practice.

[DBroncos4life]

Originally Posted by Master___Pain

Question....since when do AD's go out on the road and recruit?

Thats why I don't think he is going to just stay on as a interm AD. Having him go take the recruiting test so he can go out on the road to talk to recruits seems kind of odd if he is planning on stepping down. I think its for the local recruits though. Having him speak to instate guys would help out alot.

[DBroncos4life]

Originally Posted by Master___Pain

I guess it's not any sort of violation then, just not standard practice.

One of Osborne's next moves, he said, was to make some in-home and school visits to recruits. His focus would be on players already committed to NU, "and most of those will be close by."

Only one snag. Osborne first needs to pass his NCAA certification test to recruit

As long as he passed the test he can recruit.

[BMF Bronco]

I am guessing the certification runs out then?

[DBroncos4life]

Originally Posted by BMF Bronco

I am guessing the certification runs out then?

Im guessing its cause he retired from the NCAA. Something tells me its not all that hard to pass.

[Master___Pain]

Originally Posted by BMF Bronco

I am guessing the certification runs out then?

I certainly hope so or a Dr. Tom with a circa 1997 recruiting certificate would be in for a lot of surprises. Much has changed since he last walked the sidelines and was glad handing recruit's parents in their living rooms.

[BMF Bronco]

Good point

[KCbroncos]

Hearing this morning it's going to be Turner Gill possibly as soon as today. This coming from someone in the know at NU.

[Crushaholic]

Originally Posted by Master___Pain

Question....since when do AD's go out on the road and recruit?

Tom Osborne is no ordinary AD...

[Kid A]

Tom actually is officially now the interim Head Coach. He registered with the Big XII as such so that even though he is doing in home visits, the new HC when hired will also be allowed to make a visit. If he had gone as the AD that would have been the last home visit allowed. Strange. But I guess we can say Osborne is currently the head coach at Nebraska!

[ColoradoBuff]

Wonder what Pelini is thinking now that Michigan has Officially contacted LSU to speak with Les Miles, but only after the SEC Championship game Saturday. Does he take the Nebraska job IF offered or wait to see what Miles does? I think Miles is gone to Michigan. It's been know for some time that Michigan is his dream job. Tough call!

[BMF Bronco]

Wow, Tom is either brilliant or crazier than bat ****!

[BroncoBuff]

At least Gill has head coaching experience. Pelini sounds like another Husker good 'ol boy assistant like Solich.

[BMF Bronco]

Solich did better than canaspam