Dave Feit: To-Do List for Matt Rhule and All Stakeholders

By the point you learn this, Matt Rhule could have been formally launched as the brand new coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

A lot has already been written and stated about Rhule – a man who was not on plenty of “sizzling boards” when Scott Frost was fired in September. I believe it’s time to get to work. Right this moment. Now.

To that finish, I’ve some to-do gadgets and pleasant strategies for the entire stakeholders within the Nebraska soccer program.

Head coach Matt Rhule

You’ve gotten probably the most to do, so that you go first.

Rent the perfect rattling employees you’ll be able to. To me, the right assistant coach is equal elements ace recruiter and technical guru. They will land the 4 stars or flip a walk-on into an all-conference participant. All people who comes by – and places within the work – leaves noticeably higher than once they arrived.

Rent a bunch of those guys.

You’re going to stress from plenty of followers to retain Mickey Joseph in some capability. Whereas I absolutely endorse and assist that call, I will perceive if it does not work out.

I assume you’ll deliver some guys out of your Baylor and Carolina staffs, and that’s fantastic – particularly if they’re the perfect individual for the job. However I’d humbly recommend that you just give severe consideration to a handful of the earlier assistants. There are some guys already right here – notably Joseph, Invoice Busch and Bryan Applewhite – who may help on the observe discipline and on the recruiting path.

On the finish of the day, I do not care what number of assistants have Nebraska ties. I care about who will refill the cabinets and perform your imaginative and prescient.

Resolve what you need to be, and construct your crew round that. All of us have our concepts on the perfect offensive and defensive methods to achieve success at Nebraska, however you’re the one one getting paid $9 million a yr to do it.

Two key issues to bear in mind: a) The convention you’re taking part in in, and b) the climate issues of this nice state. I am not saying you must run a “three yards and a cloud of rubber pellets” offense to achieve success right here. However a big chunk of the league does, so having the ability to cease sturdy working video games ought to be a defensive precedence.

Past that? Simply construct a sustainable winner.

Study the present roster and assist them make the choice for everyone. Excellent news: there are greater than 100 gamers on the present roster with eligibility for 2023. Retaining them ought to be simpler than figuring out, recruiting and signing a brand new participant. Dangerous information: A few of the present gamers are already trying on the switch portal. Others may not be a suit your system or have the skillset you’re in search of.

Your job is to shortly determine the fellows who can contribute to this crew in 2023 or past. Then, have an open and sincere dialog with the present roster.

If a man has an opportunity to compete right here, promote him, and preserve him.

If not, thank him for his dedication and assist him discover a higher alternative.

I recommend tasking a employees member to look into how NCAA rule 15.5.1.7 (the “Help After Departure of Head Coach” bylaw) may help flip the roster. It permits gamers from a earlier employees to stay on scholarship, with out counting in opposition to the 85-scholarship restrict. The Athletic had a terrific write-up about it in Could.

Recruit, recruit, recruit. Salvage this class and land some surprises. Make a press release for the way you’ll do issues at Nebraska. I’m optimistic that you may be a very good X’s & O’s coach, however your job – and your skill to satisfy the requirements of Nebraska followers – shall be a lot simpler in case you herald NFL-caliber expertise.

Be seen in Omaha. The Metro is producing some sturdy expertise proper now. Present up, make connections and rebuild the in-state expertise pipeline. Have any person get you a tape of the newest Class A state championship, and you may see what I am speaking about.

Perceive Nebraska’s tradition and traditions – however do not be a prisoner to them. Nebraskans worth and cherish the wealthy historical past of this program. A wholesome understanding for the place Nebraska has been earlier than will serve you properly.

Actually, plenty of issues nonetheless occur right here as a result of “that is the way in which it is at all times been executed.” (Or extra particularly, “that is the way it was executed beneath Bob Devaney and/or Tom Osborne.”)

Whereas Bob and Tom have been very profitable, it has additionally been 25 years since Osborne retired. If one thing does not make sense or wants updating, take the chance to vary issues up. Your A.D – who performed beneath Osborne – will probably have your again.

For instance: I do know you have been a walk-on, so I believe you may preserve the walk-on tradition that many Nebraskans take satisfaction in. However possibly having 150 guys on the roster is an excessive amount of. Be at liberty to trim this system to one thing manageable.

Additionally, if you speak about former Huskers, be sure you give some like to the gamers who’ve performed within the final 25 years. There are many good guys from these groups which are worthy of your respect, even when their groups did not win plenty of video games.

Look ahead, not again. Have you ever ever began a house enchancment challenge (or huge renovations) solely to seek out that one of many earlier owners wasn’t very useful?

Possibly what you thought was going to be a easy repair appears like will probably be a serious rebuild. The temptation may be very sturdy responsible that earlier proprietor for each little factor that goes fallacious for so long as you reside there.

Do not try this.

As soon as the introductory press convention is over, you have got the keys to this system.

In his time as interim head coach, Mickey Joseph did a terrific job of working towards accountability. He reminded the gamers and followers that the buck stops with the present head coach. I would prefer to see that proceed.

Let the followers and media embrace your program and throw their large assist behind you.

Present gamers

With COVID, shut losses and a training change, it has been a tough few years. It’s okay to really feel love and loyalty for Coach Frost and/or Coach Joseph. I’ll let you know that it’s okay to query if Nebraska is the perfect place for you going ahead. These items are pure.

Here’s what I recommend:

Take into consideration your future. Think about what’s finest for you – academically, athletically, and financially. Possibly you suppose that your ability set won’t work in Coach Rhule’s schemes. Possibly you don’t really feel a reference to the brand new coach. As I stated, it’s pure to query this stuff.

However…

Don’t make hasty, impulsive choices. You’ve gotten time. The grass just isn’t at all times greener on the opposite aspect of the portal. Take a breath and make a good move. Bear in mind: you got here to Nebraska for a motive. I am guessing that motive is greater than only a coach.

Meet with Coach Rhule, his coordinator(s), and your new place coach. Be sincere with one another and see the place issues are at.

Subsequent, speak to your loved ones and different folks you belief. Suppose not solely about your taking part in profession, however about your schooling and life after soccer. The place do you need to be, and the way will you get there?

If, in spite of everything of that, you consider Nebraska just isn’t the best place, do what’s finest for you. Ignore the small share of “followers” in your mentions who’re harm by your determination. Know that the majority Nebraska followers will respect your determination and need you properly.

Purchase in and ball out. In case you’re staying with the Huskers (and I hope you do) then my recommendation is easy: go all in. Throw your religion in Coach Rhule and his employees.

The 2023 season begins now. The slate is clear. Be a frontrunner within the weight room, and memorize the playbook. Be able to earn a beginning job within the spring, and be part of the turnaround within the fall.

Former gamers

With former Cornhuskers from (a minimum of) seven totally different head teaching eras dwelling all throughout the nation, that is most likely probably the most divergent group on the listing.

As a substitute of a giant to-do listing, let’s do a single “both/or” job:

Ask how one can assist. Discover out what your alma mater must be profitable. This could possibly be NIL donations, peer recruiting, social media, or anything. Bear in mind: a return to prominence displays properly on former gamers, no matter if you performed.

OR

Proceed to sit down quietly. In case you sat in silence whereas the earlier coach (allegedly) made poor selections, this ought to be simple to perform.

Assist us get to know the brand new coach and his employees. Matt Rhule looks like an fascinating man with plenty of expertise and experience. Write the tales and profiles that assist us know who this man is, what he stands for, and what his methods and core beliefs are.

Hold the criticisms truthful and constructive. Proper, fallacious or in any other case, the native media has a stigma with many within the fan base. Some followers felt the media was too laborious on Scott Frost. Others wished they might have requested harder questions earlier on.

No person will deny that the media has a job to do, and that job generally includes being crucial of selections and asking robust questions. That’s fantastic. I hope the vast majority of Husker followers perceive and respect this.

A brand new rent is a good time to erase the slate and begin recent. For everyone.

Attempt to keep away from Frost comparisons. With each determination, change and strategic transfer Rhule makes, will probably be very simple to check and distinction that to what Scott Frost did.

I assure that any person goes to make a snarky tweet the primary time Nebraska doesn’t onside kick with an 11-point lead. That stuff will occur. However the 2023 season doesn’t have to be a evaluate and distinction train with the earlier head coach.

Most Husker followers are greater than able to flush the reminiscences of the Frost period. We all know Frost was a nasty coach who made quite a few missteps. We’re prepared to maneuver ahead.

Restrict the teaching search second guessing. Luke Fickell was rumored to be a candidate for the Nebraska job. A day after Rhule was formally employed at NU, Fickell was employed at division rival Wisconsin.

Might Trev Alberts have gotten Fickell? That could be a fascinating subject, however it will not change the truth of NU’s state of affairs. I would like to learn extra in regards to the teaching search, however the problem is writing a chunk with out it turning into “Trev actually screwed up by not hiring X, Y or Z.” Inform me why Trev did what he did with out utilizing hindsight to see how Jeff Monken is popping into Nick Saban 2.0.

Trev Alberts

You bought your man, and also you’re going to win the press convention.

However your job’s not executed:

Take a bow. Give credit score to Trev for working an especially tight search. For almost all of the search, the rumor mill was nonexistent.

Whereas the dearth of “insider sources” made it irritating for folks wanting a juicy rumor to chew on, it indicators a giant enchancment in Lincoln. Beforehand, the athletic division – particularly beneath Invoice Moos – had extra leaks than a submarine with display doorways.

Open the checkbook to let Rhule rent a top-notch employees. The rumor mill is churning out some huge names who would make a splash. It’s unlikely that each one of them will come to Lincoln, however do your half to assist Rhule achieve success by giving him a giant, huge finances for his assistant coaches.

Say “Sure.” It doesn’t matter what Coach Rhule asks for, say sure.

He wants personal jets for a late recruiting push? A necessity is recognized for 3 further analysts? You betcha. Rhule brings a mock-up for a one thing within the new soccer facility? Let’s set a gathering with the challenge supervisor! Does he need Frings as a substitute of fries together with his first Runza order? Good name, Coach!

In case you really need this program to win convention championships and compete at a nationwide degree, be sure you say “Sure” when the coach asks for one thing. Most athletic administrators solely get to rent one soccer coach. Subsequently, you had higher be all-in on regardless of the coach must succeed.

Share the present baskets together with your employees. Given the variety of head coaches who acquired contract extensions and/or raises in the previous couple of weeks (Lance Leipold, Lane Kiffin and Mark Stoops, to call just a few), I’d hope you’re getting some present baskets from grateful coaches or brokers.

Make sure to share the goodies with the hardworking people within the division who do wonderful work behind the scenes.

Be ready to do all of it once more within the close to future. I would like Fred Hoiberg to succeed as Nebraska basketball’s head coach. The hardwood Huskers are off to a 4-3 begin and are taking part in higher than Hoiberg’s earlier groups.

Hopefully, that may be a signal of enchancment that may carry over to the Massive Ten schedule. If not, here is hoping Alberts can full one other teaching search within the coming months/years.

Nebraska followers

I’ve saved us for final, however that doesn’t diminish the work we’ve got forward of us.

Rhule followers, perceive that not everyone is the place you’re at. The most important problem of a training search with no clear-cut, home-run rent is that different folks turned very invested of their most popular candidate(s). We had over two months to dissect resumes, so know that others could really feel underwhelmed.

Take the time to be taught extra about Matt Rhule. I do know a lot of you have been hoping for a distinct coach (Fickell, City Meyer, Dave Aranda, and many others.) or are underwhelmed by Rhule’s résumé or report. I get that.

There is a motive this podcast – the place Rhule gave a speech on his private and training philosophy at a coach’s conference – is making the rounds. It is value your time.

I am not saying it’s important to purchase a shirt with a Matt Rhule pun or change your social media avatar to his face. It is okay to be skeptical. However give him an opportunity.

Moreover, no one cares in case you’re the primary – or loudest – individual to say that Rhule will not work out.

Be sincere about the place Nebraska is at proper now. Over the past 5 seasons, our Huskers been the fourth-worst crew within the Energy 5. This job is not like taking up LSU, Southern Cal and even Arizona State. NU is a full-on, from-the-ground-up rebuild. Not each coach is minimize out for that.

The excellent news is every little thing I’ve examine Matt Rhule tells me that he is a terrific option to get it executed.

Let Frost go. We’re nearing three full months since Scott Frost was fired. The e book has been formally closed on his Nebraska tenure. At this level, every of us feels the way in which we really feel about Frost and his time as head coach. No quantity of info and statistics, nor excuses and Mike Riley blaming will change anyone’s thoughts.

It’s time to scrape the “ScoFro” sticker off your bumper and put the Frost Period within the rearview mirror.

Loosen up on the native media. You’ll discover I requested the media to take it simple on Rhule and the gamers. I believe it’s wanted. However you must reciprocate.

Not each article, column or weblog is an assault on this system. Let go of your grudges in opposition to Mitch, Dirk, Sipple or some other author who doesn’t agree 100% together with your perspective.

We’re lucky to have some proficient people within the native media, and I’ve a tough time believing that any of them are deliberately stirring up battle for clicks or kicks.

Embrace and assist NIL. Most of us should not ready to write down a giant verify* to the NIL collectives, and that is okay.

*However if you’re, I am certain the oldsters at Massive Purple Collective and 1890 Initiative would love to talk.

Even in case you and I should not giving 1000’s of {dollars}, we will nonetheless assist the native companies which are within the NIL area. Patronize them. Have interaction with the social media posts that includes NU athletes. Share that Decoldest Crawford video. Have Casey Thompson ship your children a message through Cameo. Get some Pipeline beef jerky.

NIL generally is a differentiator for Nebraska in recruiting. Our ardour performs a giant half in that.

Be affected person. I don’t know how Matt Rhule will do in his first yr or two. Possibly we’ll win the West and go to Indianapolis. Possibly we’ll wrestle once more and miss one other bowl recreation. I don’t know.

However I do know that judging his first yr or two solely by wins and losses goes to be a narrow-minded, short-sighted strategy. I’m extra curious to see how his system is put in place and grown, how he and his employees develop the expertise they’ve into one thing extra, and if they will slim the hole in opposition to ranked groups.

Loosen up, take a deep breath, and be affected person.

Now … what number of days are left till the Spring Recreation?

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