Athletic Director Bill Moos eliminated one big question in Nebraska on Monday, telling ESPN’s Mitch Sherman that Mike Riley “deserved” to finish the season as the Huskers coach.
With Florida already in the coach market and Tennessee joining the fray on Sunday with the firing of Butch Jones, there was some speculation that Nebraska might have to make its move sooner rather than later following the 54-21 loss to Minnesota. Moos just took that option off the table.
But he also may have answered the other big question swirling around the plains: Is a change coming at all?
Most fans are assuming the Huskers will make a change at this point. There’s little evidence to support not doing that, and it looks like Moos has gotten the message based on one of his answers in that story:
"I applaud this fan base," Moos said, "because they've been patient and they haven't had the product – at least from my observation in the short time I've been here – that I feel that they deserve. It's why we're taking a real hard look at this and one of the reasons I am out to hear their disgruntled thoughts on the state of the program."
Husker fans “haven’t had the product that I feel they deserve.” Now it’s possible that he could be talking about the last 15 years or the last 10 years or the just the last three. Doesn’t really matter though because there’s only one person left to pay that particular bill.
But based on Moos’ comments yesterday to ESPN, it looks like the check has at least been dropped at Mike Riley’s table. It’s one of those things where the server says, “no rush, whenever you’re ready,” clears your dessert plate and warms up your post-dinner coffee. You don’t have to pull out your wallet right away. Sit for a bit, finish your coffee. We’re not going to rush you out of here.
The restaurant does eventually have to close, however, and it’s becoming pretty clear at this point that Nebraska football is going to be closed for a week or two after Thanksgiving for renovations.
The Grab Bag
- Nebraska basketball got its second win of the season on Monday. Here's our game recap, notable quotes from the game and a video of Tim Miles' postgame comments.
- Here's a de rigeur list of coaching candidates for Tennessee. But this story on Volunteer fans obsession with Jon Gruden is a pretty fun read.
- This could be handy: FootballScoop.com has a list of buyouts coaches would owe the former schools for some of the trendy potential hires.
- Ohio State unveiled the new alternates it will on the road against Michigan and they're pretty great.
Today's Song of Today
Brandon is the Managing Editor for Hail Varsity and has covered Nebraska athletics for the magazine and web since 2012, Hail Varsity’s first season on the scene. His sports writing has also been featured by Fox Sports, The Guardian and CBS Sports.