CC: BERT turned down Nebraska

Submitted by JeepinBen on

Adam Jacobi (noted Iowa writer and fan-of-horses) has been retweeting other folks that would be in the know. Nebraska offered the job to Bielema last night, was turned down, and thus the Mike Riley hire. Interesting stuff. I wonder if Bert sees more long-term success at Arkansas? Or just didn't want to jump around?

EDIT: original tweet was from NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt @Gil_Brandt

Mr. Yost

December 4th, 2014 at 2:32 PM ^

Watching SVP & Russillo and Brian Griese was just on and said he's part of the head coaching hiring process at Michigan.

He didn't want to talk about candidates, but he had some really good things to say about the process.

Didn't think this was quite new thread worthy, so I've posted this in a couple of threads.

alum96

December 4th, 2014 at 3:24 PM ^

Interesting.  Someone posted Griese was very anti Miles on a thread yesterday so that puts 2 guys on the "committee" (DeBord is of course not "on the committee") who are anti Miles.  Looking more and more like Miles is going to be kaboshed by the Carr acolytes. (and I am a Brian Griese fan)

alum96

December 4th, 2014 at 2:55 PM ^

I think in his 2nd year Bret already has a team that would finish top 3 in the Big 10.  It's defense would probably be #1 in the conf - along with Wisconsin.  It's offense lacks playmakers right now and its QB is meh.  You put a Prescot type in Arkansas offense and in year 2 they probably finish 3rd in the SEC West. 

They lost 14-13 to Alabama and 17-10 to Miss State.   They had a chance to tie that game vs Miss State in the closing seconds.

They lost big early to Auburn and had a brain cramp game vs Georgia but that team is tough as hell to play and would smash most Big 10 teams already in his 2nd year. 

Bret is a big douche but he is a good football coach.  I think Arkansas turns heads next year.

alum96

December 4th, 2014 at 2:43 PM ^

That would confirm what Football Outsider said was the story yesterday - that Bret was #1 target.

Less fortunate on that end, Football Outsiders says Miles is a big point of contention within the UM athletic dept and Debord is very involved in things.

alum96

December 4th, 2014 at 2:49 PM ^

The Nebraska AD is a Wisconsin guy, who was in their athletic dept for I believe 6 years. It sounds like he was going all in on Bret and thought he would get him.  When he whiffed he was left with plan B.

I think this was an error by the AD in terms of timing.  There was no rush to fire Pelini - they had a bowl game.  He should have negotiated with Bret's people and if that was his sole target not fired Pelini until Bret was signed.  If Bret rejected him he should have gone 1 more year with Pelini. 

From all the stories I have read about Nebraska aside from getting waxed by Wisconsin twice in 3 years he was extremely abrasive to people inside the athletic dept.  But this is a case of if you have one serious target you need to have that guy 100% lined up to hire within hours of your firing of Bo. 

 

Class of 1817

December 4th, 2014 at 4:31 PM ^

getting his first 2 conference wins vs. #8 Ole Miss, and #17 LSU, then losing by one score to #17 Mizzou, losing to TA&M in OT, and losing to Bama by 1 point...he feels like they're turning a corner.

He'd be insane to leave once he gets dug into that SEC talent.

Ron Utah

December 4th, 2014 at 5:27 PM ^

I never believed he would take the Nebraska job.  The dude is arrogant, and wants to prove he can win in the SEC.  He's only leaving that job for a perennial NC contender, IMO.

Mgodiscgolfer

December 4th, 2014 at 10:15 PM ^

with Bert or Ernie on the sidelines. Shit Big Bird could get this team into the conference championship next year. The schedule and the upper classmen combined with a good coach should be enough to help this team get over the hump. I would think this job to be very attractive to anyone looking at the four and five star recruits on the roster absolutely aching to live up to their billing.....Next year should be fun. Go Blue!!!