Now that the football season is over and the next "big" event most of us are looking forward to is the spring game (well ok some do look to signing day, but I don't get to wrapped up in that) which is a ways off, I thought I would post a little on Nebraska's (Tom's) philosophy on recruiting.
Lately we hear a lot about the stars when it comes to recruiting. We read a name on the new Nebraska commit list and the first question is "how many stars does this kid have?"
Our thoughts and focus as fans are sometimes tunneled to "what can this recruit do for Nebraska football". Although a valid question, one that is more important in the over all scope of life is "what can Nebraska football do for this recruit'. Sometimes we as fan get a little caught up in laying out some high expectations for these athletes. The question "what have you done for me lately?" is all over various forums and in the local papers.
Now, don't get me wrong, having high expectations for these student athletes is something that we have always, well, expected. WE ARE NEBRASKA! Right!
So where did this attitude come from? Bob? Tom? Winning?
Most possible a combination, but one name really sticks with me, (and maybe I just didn't know Bob D well enough, I don't know) Tom Osborne. He is the perfect example of the Nebraska work ethic. Tom is one that required 100% out of his players each and every day. But the one thing that separates Tom from most coaches is this: his complete dedication to the Athlete. Tom cares. Not only how the player succeeds on the field but also off the field.
It was this approach to the student athlete that brought Turner Gill to Nebraska.
As a kid growing up, Turner wanted to play football for Oklahoma. It's natural for a kid to want to play for the school near by your home town. But as Turner entered his senior year in high school and looked at his options for college, football was not the only reason to choose a school. He had grown up a bit since his childhood and even though he wanted to attend Oklahoma and receive his education there, history had not been written for him quite yet.
Enter Tom Osborne!
How we look back and see how a combination of events brought something really great to Nebraska. Tom’s past couple of QB’s were more of the “pocket-type” passers. Vince was a great passer, but not so great outside the pocket or on the run. With Tom making the decision to change to more of a power running game, (in the early to mid 70’s the team was basically built for a split offense, 50% run 50% pass) he needed to look at a mobile QB that could run the option. He still wanted a QB with a good strong arm, but more emphasis was going to be put on the running game.
I would venture to guess that Turner never really considered Nebraska as an option, until he met the man, Tom Osborne.
What was it that Tom could offer this high school senior that either Oklahoma or Texas could not?
In the book “Heart of a Husker” Turner said his decision to attend Nebraska was made final on the conversation he had with Tom. Turner was not only interested in playing football, but was also interested in gaining a quality education. Tom Osborne and Nebraska fit this bill for Turner.
This is how Tom recruited.
His attitude towards recruiting was “what can Nebraska do for this student athlete” and not “what can this athlete do for Nebraska”. This approach made Tom a very successful recruiter and coach and mentor for the many student athletes he came in contact with over the years!
Thank you Tom for you untiring dedication to Nebraska Football
NDHusker
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