Does 3 new coordinators to start the season concern you?

[ShortSideOption]

I posted this on 'X', but was curious this boards thoughts. I would be in the "that's rarely good" camp... however, offensive coordinator should be an upgrade in my opinion. Special teams wasn't any good so can we be worse? I do worry about DC.

 

[Dr.DrakeRamoray]

Offense and special teams are upgrades

Not sure what to think of defense

 

[2010sarenevercomingback]

It can't be a regular thing, but in the current scenario I'm confident in 2/3 and hopeful in the other 1.

Dana's also not starting from scratch, and that's the one I'd typically be more nervous about taking some ramp-up time.

 

[iruletheskool]

Don't we have the same OC that ended the year?

 

[JankTheTank]

Offense and special teams can only go up. Also, Holgorsen’s involvement calling the offense in the last four games puts an asterisk next to his name as a “new coordinator” for me.

I agree that Butler at DC is a question mark. Getting some familiarity with the team last year and having a chance to call the plays during the bowl game add a slight asterisk to this as well for me though.

Phil Snow’s involvement also gives me some comfort on defense. Plus Rhule seems to be more defensively minded as well, which should hopefully help with that side of the ball.

I would be more worried if we had the Butler equivalent on offense.

 

[ZJSARENOTFREE]

I posted this on 'X', but was curious this boards thoughts. I would be in the "that's rarely good" camp... however, offensive coordinator should be an upgrade in my opinion. Special teams wasn't any good so can we be worse? I do worry about DC.

I am nervous about the D. The addition of Dana last year I think started to open up some things, so I think they will be fine and in fact I think we get a lot better and average 30+ppg. ST there is no way to be worse. If anything it is a wash, but I think this group will be better just because we have been so bad.

Defense is where is gets dicey. I guess I am in just wait and see mode. I think he is a good coach, but just need to see what actually transpires. I'd probably feel a little bit better if we had the same interior. RVP is a stud, but need the others to step up. Sounds like he wants to be more aggressive and I am good with that, just hope we don't start having busts all over the field because of it.

 

[ShortSideOption]

I am nervous about the D. The addition of Dana last year I think started to open up some things, so I think they will be fine and in fact I think we get a lot better and average 30+ppg. ST there is no way to be worse. If anything it is a wash, but I think this group will be better just because we have been so bad.

Defense is where is gets dicey. I guess I am in just wait and see mode. I think he is a good coach, but just need to see what actually transpires. I'd probably feel a little bit better if we had the same interior. RVP is a stud, but need the others to step up. Sounds like he wants to be more aggressive and I am good with that, just hope we don't start having busts all over the field because of it.

I'm with you. Holgo has to be an upgrade, special teams were pretty bad so Ekeler I'm sure has to be at worst even. I'm worried about defense. You lose your entire DL and ILB crew, that's tough. I also was very high on Tony White, so Butler has big shoes to fill. Defense is where it could get dicey in a hurry. Everywhere else I would think should be fine?

 

[Cornicator]

I will respond to this question with two questions:

1. What is more concerning, going into this season with new coordinators or knowing Jeff Sims is going to be your starting QB?
2. What is more concerning, going into this season with new coordinators or knowing a true freshman is going to start at QB and the top receiving transfers were the #2 receiver from Wake Forest and the #7 wideout at Texas?

To answer the question above:

No.

1. The OC has already been in Lincoln for nearly 9 months.
2. The defense isn't changing. Will their be some added nuance? Sure, but the scheme and terminology will remain the same.
3. And anyone concerned about the Special Teams hire needs to have their head evaluated.

 

[Blakejc]

I’ll vote no, it’s not a worry. Here’s why.

Typically it would be worrisome, but both OC and DC were with the team for at least a portion of last season. That consistency is a huge advantage over the typical offseason hire. I’m willing to concede DC is a drop off, but not as much as it might appear to outsiders who are just looking at names and experience. It’s hard to argue OC isn’t a huge improvement.

Special teams is different. It appears we hired a better STC, but Foley wasn’t the only issue. Asking Ekeler to fundamentally change how special teams operates, get the other coaches up to speed and on board, get Rhule to emphasize it by allocating appropriate practice time and film study, and get the players/better players to execute at a higher level is a big task. We might be better on paper, but it may still look clunky to start the season.

 

[ShortSideOption]

I will respond to this question with two questions:

1. What is more concerning, going into this season with new coordinators or knowing Jeff Sims is going to be your starting QB?
2. What is more concerning, going into this season with new coordinators or knowing a true freshman is going to start at QB and the top receiving transfers were the #2 receiver from Wake Forest and the #7 wideout at Texas?

To answer the question above:

No.

1. The OC has already been in Lincoln for nearly 9 months.
2. The defense isn't changing. Will their be some added nuance? Sure, but the scheme and terminology will remain the same.
3. And anyone concerned about the Special Teams hire needs to have their head evaluated.

lol at 1, that's a good way to look at it. Still remember Gus Johnson screaming "you gotta get him outta there" when we played Colorado

2 really worries me on the bottom. Our defense was going to take a step back anyway with the losses we had let alone changing coordinators. Offense we should be more than fine now that Satterfield isn't running things. Special teams can't get worse.

 

[Cornicator]

Still remember Gus Johnson screaming "you gotta get him outta there" when we played Colorado

 

[Stenge85]

Absolutley, it would be silly not to be. If any of our opponents had a New OC, New DC, and new STC, we are circling them as a spiraling program

but..


1. Ekeler - Unquestionable upgrade, and ST is relatively* easy to teach. There is not a 2 year install needed. Zero concerns about this one.


2. Dana - Clearly a more proven offensive mind. But offenses can take time to implement and adjust to. Good that he was OC for 4 weeks last year. Overall optimistic but there will probably be some bumps in the road.


3. Butler - Room for serious concern. Obviously the guy knows football and defense, but the fact remains that he has never coordinated a successful defense at any level. Also, the adjustment from teaching seasoned professionals to kids is not easy. So the worries are:
1. He simply is not good at coordinating defense. no way of knowing
2. His schemes are too complex for college kids. Work well with reliable pros, but nothing sticks.

Serious, reasonable concern here






And then overall, you've now got 4 guys who have never shared a headset in a game situation. They will obviously figure that out, but its worth noting

 

[2010sarenevercomingback]

3. Butler - Room for serious concern. Obviously the guy knows football and defense, but the fact remains that he has never coordinated a successful defense at any level. Also, the adjustment from teaching seasoned professionals to kids is not easy. So the worries are:
1. He simply is not good at coordinating defense. no way of knowing
2. His schemes are too complex for college kids. Work well with reliable pros, but nothing sticks.

Just discarding his late 90s DC work at Catholic University & Midwestern State?

 

[BorWhiskey]

It's not the totality of replacing three coordinators, it's purely the unknown on defense I'm concerned about combined with a defensive line that is being flipped out and replaced with new people.

My optimism is still on offense, though. I know Raiola will be better this year than he was last year. We won't see the sophomore slump we got with AMart. And the play calling will be better. So, will the offense score enough points that the defense isn't having to lean on the DL to stuff the run or get to the QB in 2 seconds?

 

[Boondock_St_Sker]

no concern...Sker's by 90

 

[SoCal_Corn]

Offense and special teams are upgrades

Not sure what to think of defense

I second the Dr's opinon.

But i am more worried about losing Ty and Nash than the new DC

 

[nja13]

1. What is more concerning, going into this season with new coordinators or knowing Jeff Sims is going to be your starting QB?

And that year we had Jeff Sims as starting QB and new coordinators.

 

[Cornicator]

Absolutley, it would be silly not to be. If any of our opponents had a New OC, New DC, and new STC, we are circling them as a spiraling program

but..


1. Ekeler - Unquestionable upgrade, and ST is relatively* easy to teach. There is not a 2 year install needed. Zero concerns about this one.


2. Dana - Clearly a more proven offensive mind. But offenses can take time to implement and adjust to. Good that he was OC for 4 weeks last year. Overall optimistic but there will probably be some bumps in the road.


3. Butler - Room for serious concern. Obviously the guy knows football and defense, but the fact remains that he has never coordinated a successful defense at any level. Also, the adjustment from teaching seasoned professionals to kids is not easy. So the worries are:
1. He simply is not good at coordinating defense. no way of knowing
2. His schemes are too complex for college kids. Work well with reliable pros, but nothing sticks.

Serious, reasonable concern here






And then overall, you've now got 4 guys who have never shared a headset in a game situation. They will obviously figure that out, but its worth noting

Just discarding his late 90s DC work at Catholic University & Midwestern State?

John Butler was the DC at Penn State in 2013 back when they had 6 total scholarship players starting on defense. The Huskers that season allowed 376 yards per game in the Big Ten. Penn State allowed 381 yards per game that season. The Nittany Lions were strangely competent that season despite having the same number of scholarships as an FCS program.

When Bill O'Brien left for the Houston Texans that following winter, he only took 3 Penn State coaches with him. Butler, his running backs coach, and their Safeties Coach. And outside of legendary Defensive Line Coach Larry Johnson going onto Ohio State, none of those other Penn State coaches had good coaching options. So it says something about Butler's ability that O'Brien wanted him to join him in Houston.

Butler was then the Secondary Coach at Houston for 3 seasons. He went to the Bills where he became their Passing Game Defensive Coordinator and Secondary Coach. During that time, he only interviewed for a DC job once.

I think Butler probably could've left Houston and Buffalo a handful of times to go become a DC at the Power Conference level.

Also, I can't seem to get past how everyone just glosses past Tony White's inability to stop the RPO. I will have to search for the source and the numbers, but something like 73% of the total yardage allowed by Nebraska in 2024 came against an RPO. And that stat becomes really eye opening when you consider that 73% total yardage allowed came on something like only 35% of the snaps.

If Butler can just prove to be competent vs. the RPO, that's improvement enough for me, even if the defense suffers in other spots.

 

[Huskers633]

Not concerned about the offense or special teams what so ever. Maybe a little about Butler and the defense, but not really.

 

[TampaBaySkers]

Any DC looks good against B1G offenses