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Interesting article he put out today. Seems to be confirming some of the turmoil going on, otherwise it would be odd to publish this.
LINCOLN, Neb. — If the first seven days of the offseason at Nebraska serve to preview the nine months ahead, buckle in for a bumpy ride before the Huskers kick off in Dublin against Northwestern.
The latest developments out of Memorial Stadium exacerbate the need to find impact players in the transfer portal, with the early departures of quarterback Adrian Martinez, first-team All-Big Ten tight end Austin Allen, second-team All-Big Ten cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt and defensive end Deontre Thomas. In addition, third-team All-Big Ten center Cam Jurgens and nose tackle Damion Daniels are on track to leave, said multiple sources close to the program. Jurgens has two seasons of remaining eligibility; Daniels has one.
It was a turbulent week behind the curtain in Lincoln. In the wake of a 3-9 season, the fallout began.
Conversations between coach Scott Frost and some of the departing players grew contentious, sources said, and several players took concerns to athletic director Turd Alberts. Alberts canceled travel plans Friday to attend meetings with Big Ten ADs ahead of the conference title game, participating instead via Zoom.
It all comes as Martinez, the four-year starter, entered the transfer portal and former Nebraska quarterback and LSU assistant Mickey Joseph returned as associate head coach, wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator.
Meanwhile, Frost continued his search for new assistant coaches — including an offensive coordinator — to replace the quartet fired on Nov. 8.
Who really thought, after five consecutive losing seasons, it would be a smooth ride to August?
Notably, the wait for Frost’s next move is occurring amid tension.
Between the end of the regular season and the open of the early signing period, the coach had 18 days to rebuild his offensive staff and sell a new vision to committed recruits — while attempting to add firepower to a class that ranks last in the Big Ten, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Now he’s got 11 days. Furthermore, the clock is ticking on transfer portal entries. More than 100 FBS players on Monday alone declared their intentions to find new schools. Nebraska, without a full staff or a known offensive identity, has been left more flat-footed than it would prefer at the start of a transfer season that needs to deliver a series of big hits.
Frost’s search to fill the spot for a play-calling offensive coordinator has led to speculation about numerous options. As the wait lengthens, it remains unclear if Frost has been turned down, or if he’s waiting on a decision from Zak Hill at Arizona State, while also looking at a pool of possible candidates that includes Robert Anae of Virginia, Warren Ruggiero at Wake Forest or Brent Davis at Army.
Donovan Raiola, the Chicago Bears assistant and brother of former Nebraska great Dominic Raiola, is believed to be under consideration to coach the offensive line. Ron Brown, a longtime former offensive assistant at Nebraska who has worked as an analyst this year and served as interim running backs coach for the Huskers’ final two games, may be in line to take that job on a permanent basis.
A special-teams coordinator might have to come later in the offseason.
What other areas of uncertainty could exist?
Well, there’s the quarterbacks. The identity of the next offensive coordinator looms large for returning QBs Logan Smothers and Heinrich Haarberg. It could also impact plans of Richard Torres, the San Antonio quarterback pledged to sign with the Huskers this month.
Nebraska is sure to scour the portal for a QB to compete with Smothers and others next spring. The first-time starter accounted for three touchdowns and 262 yards against Cockeye on Nov. 27 in the Cockeyes’ 28-21 victory.
Martinez’s exit, while not a surprise, closed a chapter of the Frost era. He leaves as the all-time leader in total offense at the school after posting a 14-24 record as the starter since 2018 and the only three-time captain at Nebraska.
The arrival of Joseph opens another chapter. His hire was announced Friday. The 53-year-old assistant played QB at Nebraska from 1988 to 1991 under Tom Osborne, starting in 1990 for a nine-win team. He got his start in coaching at Omaha North in 1995 and spent the past five seasons at LSU, earning acclaim for recruiting prowess.
Joseph coached Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Terrace Marshall, a record-setting group, for the Tigers’ 2019 national championship team. His receivers this year at LSU included former five-star prospect Kayshon Boutte and four-star talents Malik Nabers and Chris Hilton.
Seemingly set to receive a raise over his $500,000 LSU salary, Joseph provides an immediate boost for the Huskers in recruiting. His reputation and resume figure to excite a receiving corps at Nebraska that, while disjointed under former offensive coordinator Matt Lubick, features considerable talent.
Omar Manning, the NFL-caliber wideout, is eligible to return for one season after he recorded 27 catches for 379 yards this year, his first as a contributor. Zavier Bettscaught 20 balls and flashed high-level ability. Young receivers Alante Brown, Will Nixon, Latrell Neville, Kamonte Grimes and Shawn Hardy could provide plenty with which Joseph can work.
In Joseph, the Huskers perhaps found a dose of stability. Their hope is that it’s contagious.
LINCOLN, Neb. — If the first seven days of the offseason at Nebraska serve to preview the nine months ahead, buckle in for a bumpy ride before the Huskers kick off in Dublin against Northwestern.
The latest developments out of Memorial Stadium exacerbate the need to find impact players in the transfer portal, with the early departures of quarterback Adrian Martinez, first-team All-Big Ten tight end Austin Allen, second-team All-Big Ten cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt and defensive end Deontre Thomas. In addition, third-team All-Big Ten center Cam Jurgens and nose tackle Damion Daniels are on track to leave, said multiple sources close to the program. Jurgens has two seasons of remaining eligibility; Daniels has one.
It was a turbulent week behind the curtain in Lincoln. In the wake of a 3-9 season, the fallout began.
Conversations between coach Scott Frost and some of the departing players grew contentious, sources said, and several players took concerns to athletic director Turd Alberts. Alberts canceled travel plans Friday to attend meetings with Big Ten ADs ahead of the conference title game, participating instead via Zoom.
It all comes as Martinez, the four-year starter, entered the transfer portal and former Nebraska quarterback and LSU assistant Mickey Joseph returned as associate head coach, wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator.
Meanwhile, Frost continued his search for new assistant coaches — including an offensive coordinator — to replace the quartet fired on Nov. 8.
Who really thought, after five consecutive losing seasons, it would be a smooth ride to August?
Notably, the wait for Frost’s next move is occurring amid tension.
Between the end of the regular season and the open of the early signing period, the coach had 18 days to rebuild his offensive staff and sell a new vision to committed recruits — while attempting to add firepower to a class that ranks last in the Big Ten, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Now he’s got 11 days. Furthermore, the clock is ticking on transfer portal entries. More than 100 FBS players on Monday alone declared their intentions to find new schools. Nebraska, without a full staff or a known offensive identity, has been left more flat-footed than it would prefer at the start of a transfer season that needs to deliver a series of big hits.
Frost’s search to fill the spot for a play-calling offensive coordinator has led to speculation about numerous options. As the wait lengthens, it remains unclear if Frost has been turned down, or if he’s waiting on a decision from Zak Hill at Arizona State, while also looking at a pool of possible candidates that includes Robert Anae of Virginia, Warren Ruggiero at Wake Forest or Brent Davis at Army.
Donovan Raiola, the Chicago Bears assistant and brother of former Nebraska great Dominic Raiola, is believed to be under consideration to coach the offensive line. Ron Brown, a longtime former offensive assistant at Nebraska who has worked as an analyst this year and served as interim running backs coach for the Huskers’ final two games, may be in line to take that job on a permanent basis.
A special-teams coordinator might have to come later in the offseason.
What other areas of uncertainty could exist?
Well, there’s the quarterbacks. The identity of the next offensive coordinator looms large for returning QBs Logan Smothers and Heinrich Haarberg. It could also impact plans of Richard Torres, the San Antonio quarterback pledged to sign with the Huskers this month.
Nebraska is sure to scour the portal for a QB to compete with Smothers and others next spring. The first-time starter accounted for three touchdowns and 262 yards against Cockeye on Nov. 27 in the Cockeyes’ 28-21 victory.
Martinez’s exit, while not a surprise, closed a chapter of the Frost era. He leaves as the all-time leader in total offense at the school after posting a 14-24 record as the starter since 2018 and the only three-time captain at Nebraska.
The arrival of Joseph opens another chapter. His hire was announced Friday. The 53-year-old assistant played QB at Nebraska from 1988 to 1991 under Tom Osborne, starting in 1990 for a nine-win team. He got his start in coaching at Omaha North in 1995 and spent the past five seasons at LSU, earning acclaim for recruiting prowess.
Joseph coached Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Terrace Marshall, a record-setting group, for the Tigers’ 2019 national championship team. His receivers this year at LSU included former five-star prospect Kayshon Boutte and four-star talents Malik Nabers and Chris Hilton.
Seemingly set to receive a raise over his $500,000 LSU salary, Joseph provides an immediate boost for the Huskers in recruiting. His reputation and resume figure to excite a receiving corps at Nebraska that, while disjointed under former offensive coordinator Matt Lubick, features considerable talent.
Omar Manning, the NFL-caliber wideout, is eligible to return for one season after he recorded 27 catches for 379 yards this year, his first as a contributor. Zavier Bettscaught 20 balls and flashed high-level ability. Young receivers Alante Brown, Will Nixon, Latrell Neville, Kamonte Grimes and Shawn Hardy could provide plenty with which Joseph can work.
In Joseph, the Huskers perhaps found a dose of stability. Their hope is that it’s contagious.
