This year's Football 202 had 328 attendees from 18 states. Last year there was approximately 125 that attended the first session ever. Jeff Jamrog mentioned that the session is like the T-shirt that says "NU football is not Life or Death" and then on the back it says "It's more important than that."
The NU coaches are on the same page. There was a consistent message given by all. The message is that 1) Every player is competing daily, 2) Follow the process consistently, 3)Be accountable for your actions, and 4) Establish a culture of a family atmosphere.
Bo Pelini didn't talk about X's and O's. His emphasis was what sets players and coaches apart. He said it is what they do off the field. Ultimately it is not what you do but how you do it. "Every decision you make every day impacts who you are.
Pelini said, in his mind, his job is not to win football games but to prepare kids for the rest of their life.
He said in the recruiting process, the recruit has a me-attitude when he is picking a college. Once he signs it has to be all about team.
Pelini is about the process. Players need to worry about their day-to-day activities and it has to be their main priority. That includes going and participating in classes. If they are having problems in their classes, they won't be focused when they come to football practice.
There are not many gray areas in coaching, it is mostly black and white. You love the players unconditionally but sometimes it has to be tough love.
Players have to trust coaches. When this staff got to Lincoln, the trust wasn't there. The trust wasn't all there in 2008 but it is getting better.
Pelini feels he has a tremendous mentor in Coach Osborne. He said that he has a dream job and the reasons are: 1) Tom Osborne is athletic director, 2) He is now head coach, and 3) He likes working with young men.
He joked about having his picture taken while out in public. People walk up and take pictures with their cell phone which amazes him because he said "I'm ugly". He also remembers a guy about 75 years of age giving him a long long bear hug as his girls looked with astonishment. He said "It's ok girls".
Pelini stresses that as a coach you have to have balance with your life. He believes his staff follows this same philosophy.
Pelini said they have a more difficult time recruiting because it is about building relationships with high school football coaches. Nebraska isn't populated enough to draw a large number of recruits so he said building relationships becomes a challenge. They have started to build ties with coaches in the Dallas, Texas area, and it has paid off.
Pelini said the biggest challenge of the football team is "ourselves." Ultimately if the players buy in, we have enough talent to win a championship. Last year we lacked consistency.
Pelini talks to Pete Carroll on a regular basis. He says he doesn't have all the answers and as a coach you must continue to develop.
Pelini believes in treating his assistant coaches the best he can. He said he has the best staff in college football.
Pelini said he doesn't believe in depth charts but he assured our group that Suh will start.
When asked who is more talented - Suh or Dorsey, his former All-American from LSU - he said Suh may have more talent but Glenn Dorsey is extraordinary with his effort. He says Suh has great effort but Dorsey was at a different level every play.
Pelini says that Missouri was a game "I screwed up". After that game he said he had a complete self-evaluation. He said he made corrections.
The game he most enjoyed was Texas Tech because we responded well after the Missouri game. That game was the crossroads of the season.
In the next couple of days, we will have more on Football 202. Watch for more!
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