Hot Reads: Beck’s big raise

Hot Reads: Beck’s big raise

Of all the members of the Nebraska staff, nobody likely had a better year than offensive coordinator Tim Beck. (Wide receivers coach, Rich Fisher, who helped deliver Terell Newby yesterday and has compiled the most talented receiver corps in school history, is in the discussion, however.) There was no doubt that Beck would get a raise after the Huskers’ offense hummed along in 2012, but the actual amount is sure to raise a few eyebrows.

According to figures obtained by the Omaha World-Herald, Beck will nearly double his salary in 2013, going from $365,000 per year to $700,000. Assistant offensive line coach John Garrison received the second-largest pay raise, going from $160,000 annually to $245,000. The rest of Nebraska’s assistants, all received raises between $10,000 and $20,000.

While we’ll have to wait for 2013 figures from all of the schools to know for sure, Beck’s salary would rank him among the top 25 nationally based on the 2012 numbers. Last year, Nebraska spent a total of $2.16 million on assistant coaches’ salaries, which ranked sixth in the Big Ten. My guess is Nebraska will move up a couple of spots in those rankings following these, and the other schools’, raises.

Some will say that’s a good thing. Others will say it isn’t merited. Either way, it isn’t changing any time soon. Television money is flowing into college football at unprecedented levels and the schools have to spend that money somehow. Assistant coaches’ salaries are going to keep going up. It’s the newest front in the great college football arms race.

BACK ON BLACK FRIDAY >>> Scott Dochterman of the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported yesterday, citing a Big Ten official, that Nebraska and Iowa are likely to keep their Black Friday date in 2013.

“I expect both Iowa and Nebraska to make that request at our next meeting,” said Mark Rudner, the Big Ten’s senior associate commissioner for television administration and in charge of league scheduling.

…

Rudner said the Big Ten doesn’t have an opinion on whether the schools should play on Friday or Saturday.

“It’s really up to our institutions,” Rudner said. “It’s really not anything I’d want to weigh in on. If it’s something that Iowa feels serves them well, and it’s something that Nebraska feels is good, then they should have the opportunity to explore it. We’re happy to help them explore it.”

Iowa officials — and the fans judging from my trip to Iowa City this year — seem to be less enamored with the traditional (for Nebraska at least) Friday after Thanksgiving date. If 2013 is the last year Nebraska gets it’s preferred date, I wouldn’t be surprised.

NEWBY LIKES RED >>> The Los Angeles Daily News has a few comments from Nebraska’s newest commit Terell Newby, including his favorite color (red).

“It’s just a whole different atmosphere. Nebraska football is No. 1 out there,” Newby said. “It’s something you don’t see in Los Angeles. Nebraska football has been sold-out for like 60 years. It’s a huge and national thing.”

…

“It’s been extremely nerve-racking, and it was very difficult deciding whether I should stay home (with UCLA) or not,” Newby said. “I just thought Nebraska presents a big stage, a national stage to show my talents on a national level.”

And this from Newby’s coach, Ed Croson:

“He’s a really sensational player, so congratulations to Nebraska,” Croson said. “Obviously you root for the local college like UCLA to get him, but we support him wherever he goes. He couldn’t go wrong either way. He’s come a long way. He’s found a place that fits and where he’s going to succeed.

“What a pleasure it’s been. When you rush for 6,500 yards and score 105 touchdowns, there are lots of great memories and exciting moments. There aren’t too many kids like Newby, where it can be third-and-12 and you can still give him the ball.”

Now all Tim Beck has to do is find enough carries for everyone. With Ameer Abdullah, Braylon Heard (who might get another look in the defensive backfield), and Imani Cross back along with Adam Taylor — who has some pretty impressive stats of his own and was just named offensive player of the year for the Houston metroplex — joining Newby in the 2013 class, that will be a challenge for Nebraska’s highest-paid assistant.

But, as Don Draper so eloquently said, that’s what the money is for.