FROM
THE EMAIL BAG
Husker Dan:
You haven't written about this, but I'm wondering what your thoughts
are about the way that Harvey Perlman went about doing his evaluation
of Steve Pederson last summer, just before Pederson got a contract extension.
I mean, asking the members of Pederson's staff to email their comments
about their boss seems rather lame. And when Perlman got only two responses,
shouldn't that have thrown up a red flag? I think Perlman is either
incompetent or stupid and should be fired. What do you think of this
Perlman B.S.?
Linas Krimmage
Beckworth, Tennessee
I agree with your assessment of Perlman's evaluation methods. With everyone
in the A.D. department risking his job, it's no wonder Perlman got so
few responses. What he should have done is send one of his minions to
interview (off campus, if necessary) everyone who worked for Pederson.
Then and only then, would people be willing to reveal their feelings
about working for Steve Pederson.
Harvey Perlman will never be fired or asked to resign because of two
very important reasons. #1.) He fired Steve Pederson. #2.) He hired
Tom Osborne. End of discussion.
Husker Dan:
Last week you said Tom Osborne could do no wrong and that having him
in charge would ensure that the Huskers hired the right man for the
head coaching job. You conveniently forgot that it was Tom Osborne himself
who hand picked Frank Solich to succeed Tom as the head coach. Solich
turned an elite program into a mediocre one. So much for the genius
of Tom Osborne.
Ahman DeFone
Torrance, CA
I agree with you about Tom's decision to hand the reins over to Solich.
Frank was a very good assistant coach, very well liked, but was ill-fit
to take on the responsibilities of a football program like Nebraska's.
My point about Osborne is, who would you rather have running the ship
than Tom Osborne? Who else would Husker fans have trusted with that
role? While Tom is not infallible, I'm so glad and thankful he was in
charge of finding the new Husker head football coach.
Husker Dan:
What do you think of Tom Osborne's and Bo Pelini's commitment to put
more of an emphasis on home-grown football talent and to re-instate
the Husker Walk-On program? Hugh DeManne
Fargo, ND
Tom Osborne got an in-state commitment from Micah Kreikemeier (West
Point) in his first week back recruiting for the Huskers. But since
then, Nebraska lost out on Trevor Robinson, a blue chipper from Elkhorn,
who's headed for Notre Dame. Also the Prater brothers from Omaha Central
(Shaun and Shane) turned down scholarship offers from Nebraska, opting
instead for Iowa. And earlier this week, the Huskers had a few more
decommits including Simi Kuli, Will Compton and Doug Rippy. It's way
too early to make any predictions about the '08 recruiting class, but
I think Bo and his staff will be good recruiters. I just hope we don't
give up on going after the best talent no matter where it's located.
The Walk-On program under Frank Solich mushroomed out of control and
thankfully, on Callahan's watch, the size was reduced considerably.
Husker Dan:
How bad do you think the loss of Blaine Gabbert will be to this year's
recruiting class?
Justin Kase
Winter Park, FL
The Huskers are least vulnerable at the quarterback position. I don't
know why, but I get the feeling that Gabbert may be another Harrison
Beck. There is still plenty of time to find another QB in this year's
class. With Joe Ganz, Patrick Witt and Zac Lee scheduled to return this
fall, the Huskers should be fine at that position.
Husker Dan:
What do you think of Barney Cotton, Marv Sanders, Jeff Jamrog, Carl
Pelini and Ron Brown returning to the Husker football program? Doesn't
this sound like "Solich Lite"?
G. Whiluckers
Searcy, AR
Bo is going to fill the spots with people he knows, trusts and who also
know what Bo expects of them. Hiring coaches, much like recruiting football
players is not an exact science. We have to trust Bo to make the right
decisions. I would hope that if an assistant isn't getting the job done,
Bo replaces him with someone who can. What led to Callahan's demise,
was hanging on way too long to his old pal, Kevin Cosgrove.
Husker Dan:
You hit the nail on the head by campaigning for Kent Pavelka to return
as the Husker play-by-play guy for Husker football. The guy they had
as a substitute for Jim Rose is a pretty good announcer, but I hope
he's doesn't get the gig. If he does get the job, Bob Devaney will turn
over in his grave knowing that the Husker PBP guy used to do Kansas
State football games! Is nothing sacred anymore?
M. T. Sietz
Wichita, KS
As I wrote in last week's column, all of you who want Kent to return
as the Husker PBP guy need to write Dave Witty [email protected]
who is the General Manager at the Husker Sports Network and Tom Osborne
[email protected] Dave
Witty is the main guy, but there will also be input from the University
as well.
BIG RED BETTY
Readers: I received a very nice letter from Big Red Betty (Betty Walker
of Lincoln, California) telling me how much she appreciated hearing
from so many Husker fans (100 and counting) who took the time to send
their good wishes. She is overwhelmed with the kindness you great fans
have shown her.
Betty is in the fight for her life. If you'd like to send her your best
wishes, she can be emailed at: [email protected].
She's a real sweetheart and believe me, this lady is passionate about
Husker football!
HUSKER DAN'S ARMY
HUSKER DAN:
I read your article on HuskerPedia and always enjoy it. I am probably
the oldest armed combatant in Iraq at age 63. I am assigned to the 4th
Striker Brigade Combat team in Diyala Province. I am a forensics guy
and go on patrols to assist in evidence collection, photography, and
everything related to crime scene investigation.
I have only recently arrived but have already 'hung the flag' outside
my quarters. I went to watch the Colorado game while at Camp Victory
in Baghdad thinking there would be a large crowd. I was the only person
in the room. No one to rag on, and no one to rag back.
Now that I am here I have already met another Husker, but he will be
out of here before next season. I am looking forward to the Pelini era
at Nebraska even if I get the scores late.
Go Big Red
Loren L. Zimmerman, MFS
202 BSB, 4th BGE, 2nd ID, SBCT
FOB Warhorse
APO AE 09336
Dear Loren: First of all, thank you for serving our country. Thanks
for sending me the picture of your Husker flag. Merry Christmas, God
speed and Go Huskers!
If you'd like to contribute to Husker Dan's Army, send your checks to:
Husker Dan's Army
%Bob Elliott
Northeast Kansans For Nebraska
3405 SW Atwood Ave.
Topeka, KS 66614
"DIARY OF A HUSKER"
Recently, I spoke with David Kolowski, author of "Diary
Of A Husker" . David said that book sales have been brisk,
adding that he's even working on an audio version of his book that will
be out later this year.