Thursday, November 1, 2007
So does this all matter?
So does having a blog to support the hiring of Paul Johnson as the next NU coach, really make a difference in the grand scheme of things? Maybe. Maybe not. My single goal though is to generate a grassroots effort to get people talking about Paul Johnson. Maybe when they do...Tom Osborne and some others will start paying attention. My blog was discussed yesterday on Omaha's Big Sports 590 with Matt Perrault. Maybe its coincidence but at least Johnson is being talked about by the Omaha World Herald as one of the main candidates for the soon to be open coaching job at the University of Nebraska. Hey...someone make sure Tom Osborne gets emailed a link to this site.
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3 comments:
I hear you, and I also think that Paul is the most rational choice... that said, it'd be very helpful if Navy beats Notre Dame tomorrow - would definitely help convince others.
Well...ask and ye shall receive! :)
As PJ said - Wow, what a game.
I think some of you BlackShirters are right that PJ has an itch to prove the rest of the world of know-it-alls wrong -- that his triple option will work at the BCS level.
And I think Nebraska has the corprate memory to play something other than NFL-style football.
But you have some real obstacles to overcome to pull him in:
1) He is from the South. NC and NCSU had a real chance last year to pull him in -- that would have been going home for him.
2) His family really likes the Annapolis area. He has once made a comment that this is as far North as he will venture.
3) USNA has a great AD in Chuck Gladchuck. He picked PJ over Navy grad Tom O'Brien (formerly Boston College, now at NCSU). And has structured the schedule so that PJ is guaranteed 3 national TV games per year -- ND, Army and a bowl if they win at least 6 games. Plus CSTV covers all the Navy home games. That's more national coverage than Nebraska can guarntee.
4) Did you see the end of the ND game where he skipped across the field -- more emotion than he has ever shown since he's been at Navy. His troops have bought into his system. Kaipo obviously believes thay can beat anyone. PJ just might have also bought totally into Navy last weekend.
5) When the buses rolled into Annapolis on Sunday, the Supe let PJ announce to the Brigade that Monday classes were cancelled. Granted we are only 4000 strong. You must believe me that no other school population in the country was as totally elated (as in 100% of the student body, plus probably 100% of us old farts) as was Navy at beating ND.
6) The Navy players totally buy into his program. If they didn't before, they do now. And if you watched the game, they bought it lock, stock and barrel. In particular, the much maligned D bought the "believe you can win". They have made lots of mistakes this year. They get beat on coverage a lot. But if you saw the Ram Vela sack, or the total team stop on the two point conversion, they are buy into PJ.
7) That is not a new story line -- when he was introduced as head coach he brought in the "Expect To Win" motto. Lots of us old farts laughed -- we buy into it now.
8) With our remaining schedule, we will get to 6 wins. Likely be 8-4 going into the Poinsettia bowl in San Diego (last I remember this is still a Navy town). So while Nebraska remembers big BCS style bowls, PJ will likely note that Navy has drawn 25K+ to bowls in Houston, San Fran and Charlotte. In SD, they'll comp tickets to a couple of the battle groups and likely fill the stadium. And that will be his 5th bowl in a row.
So promise PJ what you will -- I'll be wearing my "Keep Your Hands Off Our Johnson" t-shirt to the next home game (standing room only) at our dinky little 37K seating stadium.
Oh .... BTW ..... when the team and PJ come out onto the field, you might be able to feel ground shake. Even before the flyover.
And yep -- it all still ends with Beat Army. But Beat ND is mighty mighty sweet.
Very very sweet indeed.
Go Navy!!
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