Re: Dr. Tom. I believe that his larger than life in Nebraska (his political career and the much larger than life amount of respect, admiration and hero worship that he commanded with the citizens of CornHusker Nation made it almost impossible for for any Coach following him to ever claim that program for his own.
Remember, there were some kinds of things that happened under Dr. Tom’s watch in that program that were not pretty that the fan base always just ignored. It is ironic that the regents wanted blood in the shortcomings of Bo, yet never did cringe with anything that happened under the good Dr. Tom’s watch. (Not defending Bo…but Tom really could do no wrong in spite of some of the actions of players he won with during his super star run at Nebby.
He even came back to “save the dynasty” after part of the the musical chairs period of coaching changes, didn’t he?
I really think that until Nebby can run the ball and stop the run on the level other BT West teams and cross over East teams can, it will be a struggle for Nebby in the BT.
I think Frost MAY be making some progress, but will it be enough in the next year or two for Nebby to challenge in the West?
Is the Dr. Tom worship wearing off for Coach Frost and AD Trev that they had for him as his players? Is that part of the problem?
Will they be able to overcome their hero worship of Tom and be the adults that take that program beyond Tom’s program and make it their own program?