Per SI: Nebraska candidates Matt Campbell, Lance Leipold, Bill O'Brien
Sports Illustrated is reporting that Nebraska's leading candidates for the head coaching job are Iowa State's Matt Campbell, Kansas's Lance Leipold, and Alabama Offensive Coordinator / former Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien.
Personally, my vote is for Matt Campbell, purely for scientific reasons. During the low point of the Harbaugh era, we had almost daily threads debating whether Matt Campbell has the tools to restore a struggling college blue-blood to dominance. I'm glad we don't have to find out here, but I'm in favor of running a controlled study in a remote facility.
I don't really know anything about Lance Leipold, but I guess he was utterly dominant in Division III, turned Buffalo from a Middling MAC team to an Upper Middling MAC team, and is currently attempting to convert Kansas from the biggest joke in the Power 5 to something better than that. So he'd be another "can this small time coach do well at the highest level" candidate.
Bill O'Brien would probably start churning out 7-8 wins per year, make Nebraska vaguely competitive in the Big Ten West, and then get fired after five years for not being the return of Tom Osborne.
September 21st, 2022 at 8:53 AM ^
Any open head coach job in the country... Matt Campbell.
September 21st, 2022 at 9:01 AM ^
I think this may be the year, unless ISU opens up the checkbook.
He makes $4M per year now. If you like your job that might fend off $6M/yr offers, but the new standard is $10M/yr with most of that guaranteed. If Nebraska boosters are that committed to turning the program around I don't think ISU can match financially.
September 21st, 2022 at 9:10 AM ^
Maybe they can't match, but WHY would campbell take that job? He could probably take any of a number of other jobs in more winnable circumstances when he's ready.
Sark is a cosmopolitan or two from falling out the Texas clown car.
Tuck is a horseshit coach - his words, not mine. Maybe he can join up there?
Gonna be some openings every year that are more appealing.
September 21st, 2022 at 9:20 AM ^
Scott Frost is going to make more over the next 5 years NOT coaching at Nebraska than Campbell will at Iowa State.
If he gets $50M guaranteed... he doesn't have to worry about getting fired, he can go into broadcasting.
Also, Campbell peaked in 2020. He may not have the option to cash-in in a year or two if he continues going 6-6.
September 21st, 2022 at 10:15 AM ^
Nebraska has a better tradition than ISU, but other than money is it really a more appealing job? I guess the money matters both for salary and for recruiting.
September 21st, 2022 at 10:19 AM ^
Tradition, facilities, NIL...
Nebraska could be brought back to a regularly top 10 team. ISU's peak is going to be slipping into a 12-team playoff once every 10 years and getting demolished in the first round.
September 21st, 2022 at 12:13 PM ^
I don't see them becoming a regular top 10 team again. It's hard enough for Michigan and PSU to be that, and we've got better recruiting bases.
But they can definitely be a regular top 25 team and - if all goes well - could crack the top 10 once in a while.
September 21st, 2022 at 12:50 PM ^
Agreed. I'd love to smoke what the smoker was smoking who says NU can be a consistent top 10 team. At their absolute peak that's what they were. Tom Osborne's final AP poll average was 8.625.
Now they're in a conference with more than one other good team, and recruiting has profoundly changed. Tom Osborne, as much as he was a weasel, was ahead of his day in strength training and facilities and roiding up farm boys. CF has caught up with that advantage. Nebraska could probably be Wisconsin, at best, and their geography is even tougher.
September 21st, 2022 at 1:01 PM ^
They might be able to make a go of it by leveraging their passionate alumni base for lucrative NIL opportunities or by raiding the transfer portal every year. But what has hurt them the most is the constant acceleration of recruiting timelines. During Osborne's time, kids weren't getting offered scholarships in the eighth grade and it was rare for recruits to commit to a school before their senior year in high school. Nowadays, no blue chip recruit who doesn't have some sort of pre-existing tie to Nebraska is going to delay his commitment date and risk losing his spot at Georgia or Michigan or Ohio State just so he can take an official visit to far-flung Lincoln, NE.
September 21st, 2022 at 10:24 AM ^
If Campbell--or any coach--can glimpse a way to make it work at Nebraska, more power to them. Resurrect NB and you will be loved forever. I don't see what that path is, though, and people with more knowledge than I don't seem to see it, either.
One of the things that follows from extensive use of the portal, for example--which Frost was trying--is that although it may be used to improve middling teams it pretty much much underlines that you're not drawing from the very best; it tends to imply permanent second-rung status.
September 21st, 2022 at 12:49 PM ^
"....loved forever....", not sure Bo Pelini feels loved forever, except for by his cat!
September 21st, 2022 at 3:09 PM ^
ISU can open up whatever checkbook they want to, they will never be able to outspend a Big 10 (or SEC) school that wants a guy badly enough. The only possible reason to stay is 1) he thinks Nebraska has fucked vibes 2) he wants a NFL gig, and resetting at a new school will fuck that up. If money is a consideration he'll be getting the Uhaul.
September 21st, 2022 at 8:31 PM ^
My thoughts exactly. I saw the list and the phrase "the usual suspects" popped into my head.
September 21st, 2022 at 8:56 AM ^
Any of those 3 would be good for Nebraska. They need someone who isn't going to bring a lot of drama (unlike Richrod, Frost types). Obviously the west is always up for grabs if we stick with the divisions.
September 21st, 2022 at 9:08 AM ^
I think responsibility for the RichRod "drama" at Michigan was shared by many parties.
I agree with the OP's take, particularly this part:
I'm in favor of running a controlled study in a remote facility.
September 21st, 2022 at 10:46 AM ^
Subsequent RichRod drama was all on him, though.
There's also a legitimate question whether RichRod can even run a successful program any more. His offense has been thoroughly scouted, and unless Denard 2.0 and Wisconsin-level OL start heading to Nebraska, he's a relic.
September 21st, 2022 at 10:53 AM ^
Lando - the situation and environment that resulted in RR's arrival in Ann Arbor - well, it was abysmal and may be similar to what Nebraska has been going through.
In Michigan's case - the head coach did not adequately position / groom / develop his successor. Various factions - leaders in Academics and Athletics - had differing viewpoints. An Alumni community who had a variety of perspectives. Recruiting - that may not have been as focused - or consistent as it should have been. Transfers - which has changed significantly since RR's arrival - but, losing players and having a depleted roster in key position groups.
The road ahead for the Huskers is going to be tough. And, though they are as close to "rock bottom" as they can be - getting up - and improving their on-field performance won't be easy. It's going to take time - and, I wonder how patient the Husker faithful and administration will be.
September 21st, 2022 at 11:22 AM ^
I'm aware of the Michigan circumstances.
I'm talking about his sexual misconduct/harassment issues at Arizona.
September 21st, 2022 at 12:51 PM ^
Urban Meyer says hi!
September 21st, 2022 at 12:33 PM ^
I disagree on all 3 being good options... I know Leipold is a hot name right now, but think his record is a bit deceiving.
He was dominant at UW-Whitewater in DIII, but they were dominant the two years before he arrived, and every year since he left. Clearly he wasn't the secret sauce there.
Then at Buffalo he did improve the team, but aside from the COVID year, he only had one season with less than 3 MAC losses. It's impossible to tell if he was going to top out as an above-average MAC coach or truly great MAC coach.
Then, obviously, it's too early to tell at Kansas.
It's entirely possible he could be a great major-program coach, and he's clearly pretty good at coaching in general. However, his record doesn't scream "can't-miss up-and-comer" to me. I think it's much more likely his ceiling is "mediocre P5" or "pretty good G5" coach.
September 21st, 2022 at 2:15 PM ^
Eh, having Kansas 3-0 and second in scoring in the country is impressive honestly.
September 21st, 2022 at 9:43 PM ^
Nah Leipold is legit. I’d hate to see him at Nebraska honestly.
September 21st, 2022 at 8:59 AM ^
I personally wouldn’t go after O’Brien. I will give him a lot of credit and that he fielded competitive teams after the disaster that happened in Happy Valley, but there is absolutely no way that this guy’s ultimate goal is not just getting back to the NFL.
The way I see it with him, there will be one of two scenarios that happens for Nebraska, if they hire him.
1) He fails to live up to expectations, doesn’t perform well, and gets fired within a couple of years.
2) He helps the team rebound, does well, and then takes the first NFL job that he gets offered. In which case, Nebraska is right back to where it was.
He’s not a good long term solution even in the best of circumstances because he’s going to leave for a pro job the first chance he gets.
Leipold is a very interesting candidate, though. He’s won wherever he’s gone, won a crap ton of titles at the DIII level so he knows how to coach, and appears to have Kansas, the worst job in the P5, heading in the right direction. I would definitely want to see how this season continues to unfold for Kansas before I pull the trigger on him, but if he turns in a strong season there, gets to a bowl game and finishes with a winning record, I might consider it.
It is really stinking hard to win in Kansas. You are overcoming not just a massive talent deficit in a conference with some really good teams. You are overcoming a massive culture of losing, at a school where you're not even given a second thought compared to the basketball program. You're an irrelevant footnote, and an amusing way to pass the time until early November when basketball comes back. You are the SCLSU Mud Dogs of the Big XII, and you have no Bobby Boucher.
Winning 7-8 games there is akin to winning 10-11 games at a lot of other places.
September 21st, 2022 at 9:03 AM ^
This guy somehow managed to get Kansas to 12-1 in 2007. Couldn't sustain that level of achievement, though.
September 21st, 2022 at 9:51 AM ^
the orange is the small, svelte one in that picture....
September 21st, 2022 at 9:05 AM ^
Just looking at the remaining games on Kansas schedule, if he gets 8 wins there he will be the top candidate for everyone. They've got Duke, TCU, TTU, and KSU which are winnable but I wouldn't bet on them being 4-0 through that. No way they're beating Oklahoma, Baylor, Texas and even Oklahoma State and Iowa State.
September 21st, 2022 at 9:30 AM ^
Well we'll definitely get to see how it all unfolds over the next month or two. That's why I definitely would not pull the trigger on him just yet.
He definitely appears to have things going in the right direction, but the issue is that Kansas has been so bad for so long, like exceptionally, spectacularly bad, that any sign of progress is considered a massive achievement. The bar is already so low that when someone clears it, we have to remind ourselves just how low it is.
I would personally like to see him get Kansas to a bowl game this year and finish with a winning record (if he needs the bowl game to do that, then that's okay, too). If he can do that, then I've probably seen enough to hire him. Especially if he also finds a way to knock off a ranked team in the process. If he can get to 8 wins and knock off a member of the Oklahoma/Baylor/Texas/Oklahoma State/Iowa State crowd, at that point I know I've seen enough to call him and tell him I want to hire him.
September 21st, 2022 at 9:48 AM ^
Leipold beat Texas last year. He'd be my pick now, unless Kansas reverts to their old form. I wouldn't risk losing a good coach who's a good fit over an artificial standard. Whatever happens with Nebraska, I highly doubt Leipold will be coaching a bowl game this season. If Kansas makes one, he'll be hired away as soon as the regular season ends.
September 21st, 2022 at 10:19 AM ^
I'm with you - Leipold would be my choice right now, and the only guy I'd go after right now. I'd pursue him all year, but give him the patience to finish his season and coach his team in the bowl game (if they get one). Don't force him to commit one way or the other, or he'll Les Miles' you when Kansas ponies up more money.
BoB? No thanks, as previously explained he wants an NFL job and will go at the first opportunity.
Campbell? He'd be a solid hire, but nothing that looks better than good long term.
Other names (Ruhl, etc) might want more than Nebraska can offer in terms of competing for the playoffs. I think Leipold would see UN as a destination job he could make his own.
September 21st, 2022 at 10:37 AM ^
That's how I'm reading the tea leaves too.
Isn't the fantasy hire that guy who's had tons of sustained success, shows he can coach without big-time program resources, yet has mostly flown under the radar?
Here he is, only no fantasy but real in Leipold.
No guarantee. Nothing's guaranteed. E.g., Scott Frost. But rebuilding a decimated program requires some risk. E.g., Nebraska.
In any case, Leipold's path now looks better than Frost's did when he was hired.
September 21st, 2022 at 10:58 AM ^
Texas? You say that now...
September 21st, 2022 at 12:11 PM ^
Leipold seems to be a great coach. He has turned Kansas into one of the highest scoring teams in the country. You say there’s no way he’s beating Oklahoma, Baylor, Texas or even Oklahoma State and Iowa State but if you have watched the first 3 weeks of college football you would have seen that App. St., Marshall, Southern Illinois, Washington, Eastern Michigan would tell you that anything is possible. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kansas beat at least 1 of those teams that you mentioned they have no way of beating. If I were Trev Alberts, Leipold is the choice. He’s won everywhere he’s been, he has ties to the university as he was once an assistant in Lincoln. Plus I think if he lands the job at Nebraska he will be there for a long time as that would be a job that if he were able to right the ship he would be loved and make a lot of money. I haven’t heard that he has aspirations of being an NFL head coach but then again I don’t know his career goals because I don’t know him. I just think that a guy like that is the best bet if you want someone who seems to be doing things the right way. He doesn’t have a checkered past and seems to have a bright future in major college football. If he doesn’t get the Nebraska job he is going to get a major job somewhere because turning Kansas around is no easy task. He will have more resources at Nebraska and the B1G West is much easier to win than the B1G East. All those factors make it an easy choice to me.
September 21st, 2022 at 10:29 AM ^
I dunno, I think that "culture of losing" wants interrogation. You get good coaches, good players, good facilities, and boosters who want to win--what's left of the "culture"? You may be right, but I'd like to know what you think that really means; it's not like it's embedded in the walls, right?
What I'd like to know is: Why would Leipold leave a KS for an NB? "Football tradition"? If Kansas would match the money, why go from a place where a certain kind of success is being established and you will be prized to one where re-establishing greatness is all but impossible?
September 21st, 2022 at 12:08 PM ^
I suppose I could ask why you think re-establishing greatness at Nebraska is all but impossible, the same way you could ask me why I think Kansas has this massive culture of losing hurdle to overcome?
Its like you said. You get a good coach (which Nebraska can), good players (which Nebraska can, and did, under previous regimes, but they weren't properly developed), good facilities (Nebraska either already has these or can absolutely pony up to pay for them), and boosters who want to win (Nebraska has boosters bleeding out of its eyeballs who all want to win, so that box is checked with authority).
Can Nebraska ever re-capture the dominance they displayed in the 70s-90s? Probably not, given how the dynamics in college football have shifted so dramatically since then. But there is zero reason for them to not be able to compete for the Western division, make it to Indy at least once a few years, maybe even squeak out a win once in a while, and especially compete for NY6 berths. They have the resources and cache as a program to be able to do that.
Why would you leave KS for NB? Well there are a multitude of reasons, but the easiest one I can think of is that no matter what you do or how good your team eventually becomes, you will never, EVER, get the support and affection from the fans and boosters that the basketball team does. You will never be anything more than second fiddle on campus. You go to Nebraska, you are their first and only priority. You need better weight training or conditioning facilities? You're gonna get it. You need better NIL opportunities for your players? There are boosters/alums who can make that happen. Nebraska will give its football coach whatever resources and support it needs to win games. Kansas would never prioritize the needs of its football program above the needs of its basketball program.
If you make Kansas into a great football team, they'll be happy, but once November rolls around they won't care anymore. You make Nebraska a great football team, you might as well be freaking governor of that state with how popular and adored you're about to become.
As for the culture of losing piece, I know my reply here is turning into a novella so I'll try to keep it brief. They have had losing seasons every year for over a decade. Hasn't mattered who the coaches were or who the players were. They've just kept losing. That is what they are known for, that is what recruits and their families know them for.
Its like the Lions. They've changed players, coaches, scouts, GMs, everything for nearly 50 years, and they still lose. Yes, every year is different, but the weight of all that losing bears down on you, because you want so bad to be the ones who change it.
September 21st, 2022 at 12:47 PM ^
"They've kept losing" isn't a reason why they'll keep losing. (Neither is "all that weight bears down on you.") That was really my sole point. And while I accept some of what you're saying about NB's attractions, I have friends who are Kansas season ticket holders in hoops, and they certainly want to see the school become a football power; sample of two, of course, but their kids go there, and grouse bitterly about KS football. (They also support the Chiefs.) The idea that a school can't draw interest for both sports--not sure that isn't just a cliche/fan mythology, too.
All that you say about NB facilities and support is true, but there's a pretty widespread sense that they can't draw the players. To compete for the B1G West sometimes? Mayb? But as people are noting, there's not going to be one in a year. I'm not speaking in absolutes, and neither are you, so we'll need to see how it all plays out.
September 21st, 2022 at 6:50 PM ^
A lot of comments referencing the Big Ten West. I'll bet a lot of money that it's gone in 2024. Any coach considering a Big Ten school probably realizes that.
September 21st, 2022 at 12:31 PM ^
Disagree completely on O'Brien, I think he's the perfect fit for the job and basically think so for the exact reasons you dont.
He is a very talented coach IMO who bit off WAY more than he could chew with the GM job with the Texans. That's what sunk him there, not the on-field performance, and he very much wants to show the coaching community he still has the goods. What he did at Penn State allowed them to attract Franklin and as much as we like to tease the guy he's a pretty good coach too.
Yes O'Brien will take the first NFL job that comes his way but for that to happen he'll have to completely resurrect Nebraska first. A couple of 6-6 records wont do it - he's going to have to put them squarely back on the map in college football to get back to where he ultimately wants to go.
And then they wont be at all "where they are now". They would be a successful program looking to replace their HC (you know, EXACTLY where we almost were this year) and I contend that is a hellofalot more attractive than walking into a shitstorm that little Scotty has left.
September 21st, 2022 at 3:36 PM ^
I never questioned Bill O'Brien's on-field credentials. The guy is a good coach. Anyone who could handle the disaster he handled at Penn State and come out the other side with two straight seasons of winning records is a good coach in my book. And yes, he did bite off more than he could chew with that Hopkins trade in Houston. That decision just screamed "I'm the smartest guy in the room because no one else sees what I see," and it just ended up blowing up in his face. But whatever, learn from your mistake and move on.
I guess where we differ is that if he does end up being a good coach for Nebraska, do you really want to deal with having to start the coaching search process all over again in 2-3 years? Because if he does prove his worth there, as we've both said, he's taking that first NFL job and not looking back. For me, unless the drop-off in candidate quality is so massive between O'Brien and your second choice that you just can't stomach it, I'd rather not hire him now, have him for only 2-3 years, and then have to potentially blow it all up and start all over again with another search. Maybe you can get lucky and hire one of his assistants to take over, but there's no guarantees they'll be up to the task of running an entire program.
I'd personally rather not hire the guy who is going to consistently be looking for greener pastures the minute he sets foot on campus. Nebraska isn't the kind of program that should have to accept that kind of situation.
September 21st, 2022 at 9:00 AM ^
Leipold was an assistant at Nebraska so there's that connection there. I'm in agreement with Matt Campbell. He's really done all he can do at a school like Iowa State and is in nearly every conversation about open head coaching positions.
Nebraska needs someone who can change the culture but not be their savior. Brady Hoke was supposed to be our savior and look how that turned out. Frost came in with expectations to make Nebraska a top program again which was never going to happen. I don't think Bill Obrien is the guy(I'm betting he goes to Georgia Tech).
September 21st, 2022 at 9:00 AM ^
I think the biggest challenge Nebraska’s next head coach had - will be managing the expectations of both the Athletic Administration and fan base. It has to be a “crawl, walk, run” approach - and that will take time.
My definition of crawl, walk, and run - get to winning seasons - that means .500+ football - which gives bowl prep practices, which are very valuable. Then, begin competing for the B1G West. Then - compete for the B1G and expanded CFP.
For O’Brien (and any coach) - there’s a big dig difference between Nebraska and the situation at Penn State. That difference has two elements - one, the roster - and, two, recruiting. O’Brien - to his and the players credit - had a talented roster - with the challenge of keeping the team together. Nebraska’s roster may not currently have the level of talent necessary to get to .500 in the West. And, Pennsylvania - and the surrounding states - has more recruiting potential than Nebraska.
The next coach in Lincoln will have his hands full…
September 21st, 2022 at 9:07 AM ^
Problem is the new HC will likely only get 1 year in the B1G West before divisions are gone. I could see them going 7-5 in year 1, then 5-7 or 6-6 in year 2 and fans getting feisty.
September 21st, 2022 at 9:15 AM ^
rc, I don’t know what the B1G will do without divisions. With 16 teams, it is still manageable.
September 21st, 2022 at 9:22 AM ^
The B1G didn't add USC and UCLA so they could play UM/OSU once every 4 years (7 division games, 2 cross-over)
September 21st, 2022 at 10:55 AM ^
rc - I'm interested in when the B1G will release the 2023 schedule. Does anyone have a date for that?
September 21st, 2022 at 3:17 PM ^
Re: divisions... I think a lot of folks are thinking the elimination of divisions and the conference additions are mutually inclusive are potentially missing the point. The joining of the B1G conference by USC and UCLA was a money play to get the bigger TV dollar payouts. There's no reason that a 20 team B1G doesn't divide up into 2 divisions or 4 "pods".. the conference structure is not linked to a payout amount (or probably more accurately the reverse). Think of it like the NFL more than traditional college football now-- there's a collective that all share a revenue, and the scheduling doesn't really matter as long as the TV markets in the collective are there.
September 21st, 2022 at 11:01 AM ^
As sad as the divisions look now, I wonder if a lot of lesser football schools are going to regret abandoning them. I have seen projections that would set up more palatable rivalry games, etc., but a lot of schools that like to think they possess heralded football traditions are going to be out on the prairie looking in. The top is going to look farther away when there are 16 teams on the list!
September 21st, 2022 at 2:00 PM ^
A division-less Big Ten might not necessarily be tougher for them. Keep in mind that they currently play three games a year against East teams. There won't be any guarantee that they'll play more often against Michigan/OSU/PSU.
September 21st, 2022 at 10:47 AM ^
You may be right but I'd bet Leipold is more a walk-then-run kinda guy, skipping the crawling.
Though Nebraska has been crappy lately, and will likely never return to its glory days of national championship campaigns, it's got more going for it than it seems.
Big Ten money and growing, great facilities, an entire state behind you, rabid followers, big boosters (who can afford to gift Frost an extra $7.5 million to leave 3 weeks early).
Frosty the No-man couldn't organize all that in the same direction. But Leipold has shown he has those organizational skills.
September 21st, 2022 at 12:28 PM ^
A big part of the equation might be whether Leipold is comfortable with the good old boy network that prevails at Nebraska. Having worked there, he might be. And it's also true, as you point out, that a whole lot of money might look attractive whatever your longer-range odds of big success.
September 21st, 2022 at 9:19 AM ^
Lance Leipold would be my choice.
In fact if Harbaugh was to retire today he would be my choice. That dude is a winner.