Itās the fall of 2021. Mark Whipple had his eyes set on retirement on the heels of a record-setting season with Pittsburg. His heisman-esque protege will head for the NFL and the stars aligned to go out on a positive note. He made $475k that year, the highest heās ever made, and is ready to comfortably retire and spend more time with his wife. Rumors are, she has cancer. He is 64.
But then gold struck. āYou mean to tell me youāre going to guarantee me 1.7 million? Even if I only work a year?ā
And it got better; head coach Scott Frost was on a smoldering red hot seat after being forced to lay off half his staff in 2021. Not only would his money be guaranteed, but if by chance the offense floundered in 2022, he all but guarantees a work-free 2023. He is directly responsible for the offense.
The last two offensive coordinators under Frost were both fired AFTER 2 years so he knows he has his work cut out for him to avoid working at age 66.
āDang and to think I just got fired a few years ago from U Mass. I thought my career was over. The fuddruckers next to our home in Phoenix doesnāt have a senior discount until 65 so we were just ready to bite that bullet. Then this happened. Things just have a way of working out sometimes.ā
Nebraska kicks off against NW to start the 2022 season in Ireland. It is not yet known if Whipple will make the trip citing COVID concerns.