I'll get in to new field and/or updated facilities hopefully this summer. It's a touchy subject as shit was suppose to be announced/breaking ground by now. It sounds like Dannen is listening to people and trying to figure things out. It's a pressing topic as we're behind schools like Kansas State, Wichita State, etc in our region. We're way behind some others as well. If people are interested in how we have to practice when weather hits, just ask & I'll go in to detail. It sucks, and quite frankly, it's a fucking embarrassment for an athletic program like Nebraska.
Expecting us to land SS Addison Smith from Oklahoma State this summer. He's a 2023 and had offers from Arkansas & Nebraska, amongst others, but decided on the Pokes. I'm unaware if we were a serious player for him out of high school but he's giving his word thru a mutual party that he's N. He's hardly played for them and isn't happy. We're desperately looking for a portal SS and he fits what we're looking for. I anticipate other names coming around here in the month or so. I'm hoping Addison is locked up, knowing my luck he goes elsewhere but I've heard this from 3 baseball sources; inside Nebraska's program, an Agent and a regional high school connection as well. **No, this doesn't mean Dylan Carey is leaving. He's struggled at SS, and the plan is to slide him back to 3B
Childress has struggled with recruiting. It was anticipated that his name alone would bring attention to immediate needs and it didn't happen last year. From other sources, Rob has called on quite a few connections in Texas to get some big arms via the portal to Lincoln this off-season. We'll see if it happens though. He's at his best when a prospect is on campus whereas Harvell & Sirianni are at their best identifying guys and getting them on campus. And Bolt is an incredible closer as well so doubling them up once the kid is on campus should pay dividends. He has slacked in communication with 2024, 2025 & even 2026 commits although '26 I'm not sweating because of the new rules and Rob is as honest as honest gets (he won't push the envelope with recruiting rules). He absolutely loves it in Lincoln and coaching for Nebraska, but the adjustment as an assistant hasn't been easy. Even before he became the pitching coach, he stepped on other coaches toes & mixed messages have occurred because of this. He's not the same cat that was here with DVH & MA back in the day, either. Super duper Religious and it has rubbed some players/families the wrong way. (Almost forced on to people).
Harvell is the least liked coach on the staff. His identifying of talent is top notch though and IMO, that's why he was retained over Christy a year ago. His ability to develop though is mediocre, and his in-game coaching is a tick above mediocre. If Justin Seely wanted to stay in college as a coach, I strongly feel Bolt would've made the move replacing Harv but Justin wanted to get out of it. I'm hearing he really likes doing what he's doing so you never know. Keep an eye on Harvell putting his name in at some smaller schools - mostly in Texas or the southern region. I'll get in to some other stuff regarding Harvell but it won't happen till he's no longer on the staff.
Christy was stunned when he learned, thru Childress, he was let go. Rob felt it was important to hear it from his first because of their relationship. Not a good decision by Rob at all. It caused a shit ton of issues with guys that have been really good friends for a very long time. Jeff was offered the Memphis pitching coach job last summer but turned it down because (1) Michelle, his wife, didn't like the school systems in Memphis amongst other reasons and (2) Jeff was called for a 2nd interview at Oregon & obviously that would've been a better opportunity. I don't know, and honestly don't care, if Jeff was interviewing for the pitching job with the Ducks or as an assistant since the NCAA now allows 3 assistant coaches effective last summer (completion of 2023 season). **Note, I've talked to their Head Coach Was a few times since it was announced Oregon will be in the B1G. He's led me to believe had he known this last summer the Ducks would be in the B1G, he would've hired Jeff without a second interview. Was says everyone in Eugene thought it was a long shot to get in the B1G as he kept hearing the B1G was cold against Phil Knight.
Danny Marcuzzo absolutely lost it when he found out he wasn't going to be hired as the 3rd assistant. Danny is a cool dude, but very immature. He cost us a couple (important) recruits and I'm not sure he even knows that. Personally, I'm a big fan of Danny as he's an analytical nutjob and felt he could coach infield at an extremely high level. But, I really believe he got too comfortable in Lincoln and needs to mature before he's hired at P6 school. We didn't need infield help for our 3rd assistant, we needed someone that could match Harvell's recruiting chops, and insert Sirianni. That dude can recruit against anyone across the nation. If our resources ever increase, you'll see the payoff with Sirianni. I don't know if he likes it in Lincoln or what his short/long term plans are though.
2025 class in-state Nebraska. Super strong, a lot of projectable guys. Someone very few are taking about is Jace Ziola. He's made an incredible jump from a year ago and with a strong summer I believe he'll be on some cross-checker radars as a legit 2025 draft guy. His old man is loaded so slot money is irrelevant. I'm keeping an eye on Jeter Worthley (catcher), younger brother of Jalen (Husker pitcher). I keep hearing thru outside people, although Michigan is his dream school, a chance to play one year with his brother is in the back of his mind. I think it's less than a 10% of happening, but ya never know as Michigan is struggling under 2nd year coach Tracey Smith. Maybe that's why some outside chatter is happening regarding Nebraska as there could be doubts Smith is their coach by the 2026 season. Jeter committed to their previous coach, Bakich.
That's it for now.
