The Fallout: Nebraska football decisions; Volleyball’s path to natty, more

One thing was clear after the 40-16 loss by Nebraska football to Iowa last Friday: changes need to be made.

That doesn’t mean head coach Matt Rhule, who recently signed an extension that made 90 percent of his contract guaranteed. That makes his buyout about $66 million.

So he’s not going anywhere, although Kentucky did just pay Mark Stoops $38 million to go away, which makes no sense at all.

Regardless, it’s clear that changes need to happen, like it was clear that Ed Foley needed to go as the special teams coach last season.

There are two changes, at least, that need to happen.

For starters, Nebraska football needs a new defensive coordinator. Hell, the Huskers need a new defense. I’m a believer that players matter more than the plays, but to run the 3-3-5 effectively, you need elite, big bodies up front.

The Huskers just don’t have that. But again, the scheme isn’t as big an issue as finding a proven coordinator. Rhule did that with special teams, and it made a huge impact.

It’s time to stop hiring people the head coach hopes can do the job. He needs proven assistants, and he needs them now, which includes the offensive line. Some quality coaches are on the market, or will be soon. Nebraska needs to add one because Grant Brix, Gibson Pyle, and Preston Taumua should be ready to start next season.

Even if Rhule doesn’t want to fire Donovan Raiola, do what Michigan did, which is hire a proven coach to be the “offensive line assistant.” It did wonders for their O-line, which was a Joe Moore award semifinalist with three redshirt freshmen starting.

I wouldn’t argue if someone said a new linebackers coach was needed. Sometimes, defensive coordinators want a new staff. I don’t see that happening. But something needs to be done, because Nebraska got abused by offenses that aren’t even elite: Michigan, Penn State, and Iowa.

Just imagine what Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon woud have done. Nebraska plays all three of those teams next season, by the way.

Nebraska football needs to secure its quarterback

That leads me to the other major decision, probably the most important one: What to do at quarterback?

After the last two games, it’s clear that Dylan Raiola coming back is best for Nebraska. TJ Lateef shows promise, and it feels like Nebraska could get him back. Teams probably aren’t busting down his door after the last two games with NIL money to transfer.

They will be doing that with Raiola, though, especially after that CBS Sports report. The Huskers need to act quickly and secure their quarterback. I hope that confirmation comes this week that Raiola is coming back. If not, I’ll be worried.

Nebraska volleyball is seeded No. 1 overall

After finishing out the regular season 30-0 and 20-0 in the Big Ten, winning the conference title for the third year in a row, Nebraska volleyball earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA volleyball tournament.

Nebraska volleyball will host Long Island on Friday. Louisville is the No. 2 seed in the Huskers’ bracket, which sets up a potentially interesting Elite 8 matchup. Kansas is the No. 4 seed. Nebraska is also on the same side of the bracket as Pitt. That would be their semifinal opponent in the Final Four. The Panthers are joined as No. 1 seeds by Kentucky and Texas of the SEC.

Nebraska basketball roundup

The men’s basketball team defeated South Carolina Upstate on Saturday, 72-63, to improve to 8-0 this season. That was the 12th win overall in a row (longest win streak in MCBB). Pryce Sandfort had 21 points and made four triples to lead the way.

Connor Essegian will be out for the season, in some bad news for Big Red. That was announced Saturday before the game. Nebraska will play at Creighton (4-3) on Sunday. If the Huskers win that game, they should start the season 11-0 heading into Big Ten play.

On the women’s side of things, Nebraska basketball is also undefeated (7-0). The Huskers won the Emerald Coast Classic Beach Bracket with a win over Virginia on Wednesday, thanks to a 30-point game from Britt Prince, who has scored over 30 in two of her past 3 games.

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