Steven Sipple: Craig Bohl appreciates Matt Rhule’s invitation to NU camp. “It’s the first time our staff has been invited back for anything”
Matt Rhule respects Nebraska’s football tradition and those responsible for it. Of that, I’m thoroughly convinced.
There’s nothing gimmicky or phony about it.
Good luck to cynics trying to poke holes.
Rhule’s respect for Tom Osborne is genuine. What’s more, the way Rhule treated Frank Solich in April upon his long-awaited return to Nebraska’s campus made a major impression on Solich and left him feeling, well, like he belongs again.
A lot of long-time Husker fans appreciate that.
Friday, it was Craig Bohl’s turn.
“This was the very first time our staff has been invited back for anything,” Bohl told me Saturday, one day after he and his Wyoming coaching staff worked Nebraska’s camp.
Bohl, 64, is in his 10th year as the Cowboys’ head coach.
“I think it offers some perspective on where coach Rhule is at in his career,” Bohl said. “He’s very secure in who he is, and I think he’s trying to promote college football and promote high school football.”
Craig Bohl had more good times than bad at NU
Make no mistake, Bohl felt grateful to be invited back to Nebraska, a place where he coached linebackers from 1995 to 1999 before spending three seasons as defensive coordinator (2000 to 2002).
Bohl, of course, is immensely proud of those two national championship rings (1995 and 1997).
He had some rocky times in Lincoln, but more good times than bad.
“Here’s what I’d say: It was really gracious of coach Rhule and his staff to invite our staff to his camp,” Bohl said.
He described it as “an in-state but somewhat regional camp.”
“It was really well run,” Bohl said. “I was really impressed. I was impressed with how engaged coach Rhule was. He certainly wasn’t just a figurehead. He was actively engaged in camp, much like how I remember coach Osborne used to be.”
Bohl appreciated his time with Rhule and the chance to meet with Rhule’s staff members.
A former Nebraska player (1977 to 1979), Bohl came away encouraged by the Husker program in general.
“They gave me an opportunity to address (camp participants),” Bohl said. “I told them that the plan to return Nebraska football back to national prominence appears to be on a great trajectory.”
In that regard, I’m not making any proclamations. It’s way too early in Rhule’s tenure to do that. But I’ve said it before: Rhule’s relentless approach to his task and his obvious respect for the program are endearing traits and traits that certainly could help in his pursuit of success.
Matt Rhule clearly has gained Craig Bohl’s respect
Let’s be clear: Bohl didn’t have an adversarial relationship with Bo Pelini, Mike Riley, or Scott Frost — Nebraska’s previous head coaches during Bohl’s tenure at Wyoming. Bohl perhaps gets a little forgotten at his outpost in Laramie, Wyoming (population 32,363).
One thing you can say with certainty is Bohl respects Rhule.
“Here’s what I would tell you: He is a coach’s coach,” Bohl said. “If you look at his background, where he’s coached throughout his career, he wasn’t born on third base. And I think he just recognizes the special things that have occurred in Nebraska’s program.”
Keep in mind, Bohl was part of the Nebraska staff that in 1997 culminated a five-season run with a 60-3 record and three national championships. Rhule, 48, clearly understands the improbable nature of such a ridiculous run and fully appreciates all that went into it.
He probably appreciates it more than some (younger) Nebraska fans.
“That whole period is truly remarkable, and now young players have no clue of it,” said Bohl, who in January completed a term as president of the American Football Coaches Association. “But I can tell you that when I’m in AFCA head coaches’ meetings — most of those guys have been around the block — and they recognize what occurred during the mid-90s in Nebraska.
“So, coach Osborne’s legacy is noted, and it’s great that coach Rhule is acknowledging that.”
Bohl has been quietly influential in college football
As a member of the AFCA board of directors, Bohl has been quietly influential in college football. He came across Rhule at the AFCA’s annual convention in January, which in this case was held in Charlotte, North Carolina (the convention rotates from city to city).
“Coach Rhule was at our head coaches’ meeting, and we had some robust discussions about some pretty pertinent topics,” Bohl said. “I found coach Rhule to be really articulate.”
Many Nebraska fans also have noticed that part of Rhule.
“He had just transitioned from the (Carolina) Panthers to the Huskers, and I thought he had some insightful observations,” Bohl said. “At one point, we struck up a conversation out in a hallway, and I told him how much I was pulling for him.
“He told me, ‘You know, we’re going to have camps, and you guys are invited.’”
Bohl doesn’t take the invite for granted, in part because his Wyoming staff includes former Nebraska quarterback Mike Grant, who was on hand Friday.
Their experience in Lincoln was a positive one in part because Rhule is extremely mindful of putting on strong camps. Rhule mentioned it right after taking the Nebraska job — he always wants his camps to reflect a well-organized program in general.
“You know, sometimes you go to a camp, and it’s like the coaches are just showing up on a Friday afternoon to roll the ball out,” Bohl said. “In this case, everything had a plan.
“For our staff to be able to come in and be integrated was helpful, and it helps to be exposed to that sort of talent. It also shows that coach Rhule is not so insecure — I mean, it’s not like Wyoming is going to come in and out-recruit Nebraska for a guy from Omaha.”
That’s generally not going to happen.
“But it gives those high school players an opportunity to be exposed to another staff,” Bohl said.
Bohl chuckles as he recalls his last trip to Nebraska
Bohl has enjoyed quite a ride as a coach. Remember, he was the one who spearheaded North Dakota State’s rise to power, guiding the Bison to FCS national crowns in 2011, 2012, 2013 before taking over at Wyoming. He flew his own plane during his days at NDSU, often taking it to remote areas to visit prospects.
In nine seasons in Laramie, Bohl is 52-56, including 7-6 last season.
He chuckles as he recalls Wyoming’s trip to Lincoln in 2016, a 52-17 loss in which Josh Allen — yes, that Josh Allen — threw five interceptions.
“I’ve still got a bounce in my step,” Bohl said. “I still go to high school games on Friday night. I’m no longer flying my own plane. I jump on the state jet. The day I quit sitting on a sideline on a Friday night and quit engaging with these players is probably the time the whistle needs to come off my neck.
“But right now, I really enjoy it and just keep on rocking along.”
Perhaps he’ll rock on back to Lincoln sometime soon.
He certainly feels welcome.
The post Steven Sipple: Craig Bohl appreciates Matt Rhule’s invitation to NU camp. “It’s the first time our staff has been invited back for anything” appeared first on On3.
