https://sports.yahoo.com/nebraska-no-longer-top-tier-destination-gig-012351882.html We all kinda figured that one out after they lost at home to NIU. But now this, yesterday they fired the AD, not the coach, blaming him for the 1-2 start of this season and the overall mark of 16-13 under current coach Mike Riley, whose name in print is always preceded or followed by what a nice guy he is. Anyway, once they hire a replacement AD, his first order of business will be to hire a new football coach. What makes this news so juicy is that Riley was just given an extension on his contract. Once he is fired, Nebraska will be on the hook to pay him $6.6 million, not all at once, it will be doled out in monthly checks of $170,000. Added to that will be the buyout of the fired AD, Shawn Eichorst's contract of $1.7 million, not to mention the previous coach, Bo Pelini's buyout of $2.2 million. If you are slow with the addition, that comes to $10.5 million the state of Nebraska is paying 3 people not to work there. The article goes beyond the talk of money and delves into the problems at NU and potential solutions. It is interesting and one worth reading.
Back in the days of the Big 8 Tom O sat pretty with his perennial scheduling of cupcakes. Those games were used like practices prior to their showdown Oklahoma. There was a bump or two in the way whenever Colorado or Kansas had competitive teams, but that was seldom. I was joyous at the creation of the Big 12 because I knew it was going to change the landscape forever and it was going to force Nebraska to face formidable teams. I was elated to see Nebraska losing and being exposed. Doctor Tom saw it coming and retired to save his legacy. Privately he knew his kingdom was all a sham. He was going to go out on top, a legend, a winner and the Nebraska fans would always view him as their football king much in the way us Sooner fans view our football kings, Barry Switzer and Bob Stoops. The program was dumped on poor ol' Frank Solich. Had it stayed Big 8 I think Frank would have done pretty well stepping in for Tom O, but now Frank had to face Texas, A&M, Tech, and Baylor. They weren't world beaters but they were far better competitively than playing the likes of Western Montana and South Dakota State. For awhile Nebraska still held their edge in the Northern Division of the newly created Big 12, but struggled against some of the Southern Division teams. They were gradually losing their mighty stature one season after the other. The cycling of HC's did nothing to help their program. Due to conflicts with Texas and the ominous desire to join the B1G 10 conference the escaped the Big 12 at first opportunity and went with no regrets. Look at them now, almost irrelevant. The greed for more money, as well as getting away from Texas, has diminish a once mighty and proud football institution. We never hear anything about them now. ..
