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2011 May 31
NEBRASKA FOOTBALL: How the Huskers Set Themselves Apart From Buckeye-Sized Blunders
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By Erin Sorensen
It’s official: Jim Tressel has resigned from Ohio State. As more details begin to surface as to why exactly he resigned, one can’t help but ask, “Is this the new face of college football?” For many programs it may be, but for one program it definitely isn’t. That program is Nebraska.
Nebraska football has been built on strong tradition and class. Those values have translated into some of greatest fans in college football and high expectations for players both on and off the field. Coaches are also held to a high standard and when things get out of hand (i.e. the Texas A&M game last year), the problem is immediately corrected.
Since Tom Osborne resigned as head coach after the 1997 season, the search for the Bob Devaney/Osborne attitude has not been easy. For staff and fans alike, finding that mind-set was crucial. No one could argue that Bill Callahan knew how to run an offense. What people did argue about, aside from the defense, was how the head coach handled the fans. To them, Callahan never felt like family. It was this feeling that gave Nebraska its identity and what set it apart. When Bo Pelini was hired in 2007, a feeling of familiarity was almost immediately restored.
Due to Tressel’s resignation and George Dohrmann’s Sports Illustrated story on the former Ohio State head coach, many are waiting anxiously to hear what the NCAA will do about the situation. This is where Nebraska sets itself apart. At Nebraska, the athletic department handles itself properly. Pelini has quickly dismissed players for improper conduct in the past and as Athletic Director, Osborne has always stood behind those decisions. In every important situation, Nebraska has reprimanded itself before the NCAA had any need to get involved.
Ultimately, the difference is accountability. A strong program knows when it has made a mistake, owns up to it, corrects the problem and moves forward. In many cases, such as the ones involving USC and Ohio State, the offenders figure they never will be caught. The NCAA’s handling of Auburn and Cam Newton has given others the impression that they can get away with murder. This in turn fuels other programs to test the limits.
Tressel’s resignation should be a wake-up call for any program that has an unofficial policy of looking the other way when there is misconduct. If any internal problems are not being handled properly, the NCAA will step in. Is it worth waiting to be caught? So many powerhouses have been brought down in the last few years by simple scandals, it would seem like everyone would have learned by now. Again, that’s where the difference lies for programs like Nebraska.
Around the state, the Nebraska football team is a major part of the culture. Everyone is watching and truly wants to see the program succeed. One scandal could derail it all and both Pelini and Osborne are very aware of this. It may not have always been easy over the last several years, but Nebraska has excelled by observing the rules. The number of national championships that a program has is not the only thing that fans, coaches and teams can take pride in.
It’s official: Jim Tressel has resigned from Ohio State. As more details begin to surface as to why exactly he resigned, one can’t help but ask, “Is this the new face of college football?” For many programs it may be, but for one program it definitely isn’t. That program is Nebraska.
Nebraska football has been built on strong tradition and class. Those values have translated into some of greatest fans in college football and high expectations for players both on and off the field. Coaches are also held to a high standard and when things get out of hand (i.e. the Texas A&M game last year), the problem is immediately corrected.
Since Tom Osborne resigned as head coach after the 1997 season, the search for the Bob Devaney/Osborne attitude has not been easy. For staff and fans alike, finding that mind-set was crucial. No one could argue that Bill Callahan knew how to run an offense. What people did argue about, aside from the defense, was how the head coach handled the fans. To them, Callahan never felt like family. It was this feeling that gave Nebraska its identity and what set it apart. When Bo Pelini was hired in 2007, a feeling of familiarity was almost immediately restored.
Due to Tressel’s resignation and George Dohrmann’s Sports Illustrated story on the former Ohio State head coach, many are waiting anxiously to hear what the NCAA will do about the situation. This is where Nebraska sets itself apart. At Nebraska, the athletic department handles itself properly. Pelini has quickly dismissed players for improper conduct in the past and as Athletic Director, Osborne has always stood behind those decisions. In every important situation, Nebraska has reprimanded itself before the NCAA had any need to get involved.
Ultimately, the difference is accountability. A strong program knows when it has made a mistake, owns up to it, corrects the problem and moves forward. In many cases, such as the ones involving USC and Ohio State, the offenders figure they never will be caught. The NCAA’s handling of Auburn and Cam Newton has given others the impression that they can get away with murder. This in turn fuels other programs to test the limits.
Tressel’s resignation should be a wake-up call for any program that has an unofficial policy of looking the other way when there is misconduct. If any internal problems are not being handled properly, the NCAA will step in. Is it worth waiting to be caught? So many powerhouses have been brought down in the last few years by simple scandals, it would seem like everyone would have learned by now. Again, that’s where the difference lies for programs like Nebraska.
Around the state, the Nebraska football team is a major part of the culture. Everyone is watching and truly wants to see the program succeed. One scandal could derail it all and both Pelini and Osborne are very aware of this. It may not have always been easy over the last several years, but Nebraska has excelled by observing the rules. The number of national championships that a program has is not the only thing that fans, coaches and teams can take pride in.
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Tags: jim tressel, bo pelini, tom osborne, bob devaney
Home > Blogs > Official Husker Locker Blog > NEBRASKA FOOTBALL: How the Huskers Set Themselves Apart From Buckeye-Sized Blunders
The Bobfather once said " I don't want to win so much we get put on probation, just enough to get investigated." Our culture, the Nebraska culture, is one of hard work, sacrifice and endurance -- we win a NC every 20 years or so, and that's OK. We win them in pairs and we win them fair and square. It's our way and I don't think any of us would want it any other way. That's why I love it so!!!
– May 31, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Tressel had it coming. I mean,the problems were building up!! One more problem and he probably would of been fired.
I don't think Tressels stepping down should give us any right to put on the brakes. It may be a big factor into who wins the Big Ten championship and all that,but we shouldn't let it get to our heads. If you don't believe me,just look at what happened last season against Texas. They were doing so crappy and we were doing so great. We were so sure we were going to crush them,and go 6 -0 and make a HUGE statement. But,Texas got to do that and then some. We don't want that to happen with the Buckeyes,especially in a new conference. But,the overall point is that Nebraska needs to prove their better then Ohio State. Walk the talk if you will. Remember,we still have that big game in Madison on October 8th. Lets cross the Ohio State bridge when we come to it.
As for Nebraska being the "cleaner" program,well Nebraska has had their problems. DIU's and things like that have happened over the past couple of years. But,I would have to say that Nebraska rarely lets the NCAA have a chance to get involved. We always handle things the right way and the players always get a second chance,even though they'll always be on their first try.
– May 31, 2011 at 9:00 pm
TigerHusk, the difference between the Osborne NC teams for the 90's and Tressel is that TO did not turn a blind eye or such over such transgressions while Tom acted and did what he thought was the proper, justified response to people like Lawrence, Riley Washington, and others. Tressel's downfall was not only ignoring the issues, but also letting it happen for the better part of almost 9+ years. Maurice Clarrett told us about all this in 2004, yet we called him disgruntled and shoo'ed him off to prison. Think he will get any e-mail's saying "hey you were right'?
– May 31, 2011 at 1:03 pm
It isn't pristine, you're right. Even Nebraska has had its' fair share of problems over the years. I wouldn't say Nebraska is the "poster child," but to quote what Husker Locker previously said, "Nebraska's not going to find themselves sitting on a pile of infractions the size of OSU's and have Pelini or Osborne claim ignorance or anything of that magnitude." I think that's the most important point.
– May 31, 2011 at 11:34 am
This article sound quite naive in my opinion. Truth is, you have no clue what’s really happening behind the scenes. To christen NU as the poster child of doing the things the “right way” is foolish. As a fan, yes, I give Pelini and Osborne the benefit of the doubt. However, lets not forget NU’s checkered past with off-the-field transgressions during Osborne’s title days. The program is far from pristine.
– May 31, 2011 at 11:09 am
I certainly appreciate your objectivity, Crusader. I've enjoyed your commentary and hope you'll continue to bring it to the table.
– May 31, 2011 at 9:05 am
'Everyone does it' may be a cop-out if it were coming from an OSU or USC fan. I'm just hoping we're not choosing to see our own program through rose-colored glasses.
I'm not implying that we have a dirty program. Just looking at things objectively.
– May 31, 2011 at 8:54 am
I hope you're right.
Talk of exceptionalism (be it our relatively clean record, our fans, etc.) always gets to me. I'd rather have other people point to our program as worthy of imitation than have anybody within calling attention to it. Best-case scenario, we are what we say we are and others call us smug and arrogant (which they do). Worst-case scenario, it looks exceptionally bad when the veneer crumbles under closer scrutiny.
– May 31, 2011 at 8:47 am
Ok...speaking of being "real", to say, "Everyone does it" is a cop-out. It may happen on occasion at all schools however, not every school or coach handles a violation the same. What sets one school or coach apart from others is not that they fall, but how they get back up. "Lets not be delusional" and think the worse of Nebraska or other programs by imagining a bogeyman behind every car dealership or tattoo shop. I do however hope Nebraska is taking a second look at its oversight programs and players.
– May 31, 2011 at 8:38 am
I think that Erin's overall point is correct. You're right, Crusader. No program is immune and I mean absolutely not one. There are too many temptations and egos involved. Nebraska's not going to find themselves sitting on a pile of infractions the size of OSU's and have Pelini or Osborne claim ignorance or anything of that magnitutde, though.
– May 31, 2011 at 8:27 am
Absolutely. I completely agree with you.
However, I do believe Nebraska is one of the more cleaner programs in the nation. And yes, even Nebraska has made some mistakes - under Devaney, Osborne, and even Pelini. The difference, however, is not pretending to have no idea when people come asking for questions. Tressel's biggest mistake came when he said, "I had no idea this was happening." Those statements are what will come back to get you. And when the allegations are as severe as the ones against OSU, it puts you on a whole new level.
So, again, I agree. Nebraska isn't perfect. But I would say we're a lot cleaner than others.
– May 31, 2011 at 8:17 am
Let's be real. On some level, recruiting violations have happened at every single program in the country, including at Nebraska under Tom Osborne.
Also, let's not forget that 'class' is not always the first thought that comes to mind with college football fans around the country when Bo Pelini appears on the TV screen.
I love Nebraska football and by and large I believe that we do things the right way, but let's not be delusional. We are not immune to the problems that afflict every major college football program.
GBR!
– May 31, 2011 at 7:42 am