HOL In-State Tour Anonymous Feedback: Coaches’ impressions and advice for Matt Rhule and staff, impressions on previous Nebraska staff
During its 23rd annual In-State Tour in Omaha and Lincoln, HuskerOnline had 24 coaches and 129 players from across Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa fill out anonymous questionnaires.
The questions varied from the players’ favorite Nebraska Husker football moment to their early impressions of Matt Rhule and his new staff to the best high school player they’ve faced. The coaches answered questions about their thoughts on Nebraska’s new coaching staff, how/if they can recruit better and their impressions of the previous Husker staff.
In this installment, we look at the coaches’ impressions of Matt Rhule and his staff, what advice they would give the Huskers’ staff and their impressions of the previous staff and their local recruiting approach.
How much interaction have you had with Matt Rhule and the new Nebraska staff? What are your impressions?
Nebraska high schools have had a good amount of interaction with Matt Rhule and his staff. 15 coaches/schools were visited by members of the Husker coaching staff.
12 high school coaches have had lots of interaction with the Huskers’ staff and 10 have had some interaction. Two coaches said they haven’t have any interactions. 14 of the responses with positive, one was negative and three coaches didn’t mention their impressions of the new staff.
Here are some of the coaches’ responses to the two questions:
“Matt Rhule came to our school shortly after he was hired, as well as other staff. He was in regular contact with our staff about an outgoing player.”
“Some. I feel they have made a great effort to reach out to the schools in Nebraska.”.
“More coach Foley. Been impressed. Seems like this staff is making more of an investment in Nebraska high schools.”
“Ed Foley stopped at school. Love the connections they are trying to make.”
“Foley stopped the school to visit. This staff has done a much better job of trying to make connections.”
“Friendly, approachable.”
RELATED – HOL In-State Tour Anonymous Feedback: Favorite Nebraska memory and college coach
“Have talked to him briefly a couple of times. I am impressed with everything I have seen and heard from him.”
“Coach Foley has been here each week. Coach (Satterfield) made it up and Coach Rhule stopped up for a great visit.”
“More interaction with this staff than any other staff. Super impressed with their in-state efforts.”
“Coach Rhule and his staff have done a nice job of building a relationship and being present. Have spoken/seen them multiple times since they’ve arrived. Think they have some really good thing to say and looking forward watching them build the program.”
“He has visited our high school and we’ve talked on the phone. Coaches Foley and Knighton have also visited.”
“None with Coach Rhule. Two interactions with assistants. Been impressed with the effort.”
“Coach Foley came by the building. Very impressed at the effort they have made to prioritize relationships with in-state schools.”
What advice would you give this new Nebraska staff in recruiting the local area?
Half of the coaches have been pleased with the Huskers’ efforts so far. Many of the coaches suggested that the new staff focuses on recruiting Nebraska high school players. Several said the Huskers shouldn’t let big-time players lead the state.
One coach said they shouldn’t overlook the talent of smaller schools. Many coaches listed communication as something the new staff is good at or should prioritize.
Here are the coaches’ responses to their tips for Nebraska’s coaching staff in in-state recruiting:
“Keep doing what you’ve been doing with the amount of contact you’ve had.”
“I think they’re off to a great start and building solid relationships.”
“Good, class B and C kids.”
“Not to wait on kids. Our Nebraska kids won’t wait around hoping to walk-on like they used to offer the high-end kid early.”
“We have great players here, make them a priority and continue to recruit nationally.”
“Keep lines of communication open. Return emails/texts.”
“Keep making connections with the schools in the state. In order for Nebraska to regain what they were, they must be relevant here first.”
“Don’t overlook small schools.”
“Keep showing up at schools. Keep allowing us coaches to stop by.”
“Just continue to visit. That means more than anything.”
“Keep connecting with high schools. Don’t let the Nebraska studs leave the state because they do not feel loved.”
“Continue to be visible and open to interaction.”
“It’s not like it used to be in Nebraska for high school boys. In the 90s the best players were willing to walk on because of the success they had. The struggles of recent years isn’t as appealing.”
“Be active. The state feeds off of it. Whether they offer in-state or not, the effort and relationships go a long way.”
“Hit Omaha hard.”
“There is a lot of talent in the Omaha metro area that they need to find a way to keep at home.”
“Stay in touch and continue to do what they’re doing.”
“It’s a great time to recruit Nebraska. Local players are more likely to stay long-term in the portal era.”
“There are really good players in this state that can help them.”
What were your impressions of the previous Nebraska staff and their recruiting approach locally?
The majority of the coaches that answered the question had negative impressions or interactions with Nebraska’s previous coaching staff. 11 coaches had negative interactions, four had positive ones and five had OK or alright impressions. Four coaches decided not to respond.
Barrett Ruud, Eric Chinander and Mickey Joseph were all called good coaches and recruiters.
Three coaches said they didn’t have much interaction with Nebraska’s previous staff. A couple of coaches said the last staff had bad communication with them and their high school
Here are some of the responses from the high school coaches on Nebraska’s previous staff:
“Not impressed, was really disappointed in the way they ran their summer camps.”
“OK assistant coaches.”
“Was not overly impressed. Struggled to get calls/emails returned.”
“Seemed more distant. Only had Nebraska in our building one time. Coach Foley has been in twice in three weeks.”
“It was good as they have four of our players.”
“Distant. Too cool for all of Nebraska.”
“They felt like kids would walk-on. Didn’t go after in-state talent hard. Hoped name of Huskers would keep them around.”
“Not the best. Won’t go into it much. Nothing personal, just not the best effort.”
“Not much interaction.”
“They just expected Nebraska boys to want to come to the program.”
“They were good to us for the most part. Coach (Barrett) Ruud and (Mickey) Joseph were fantastic.”
“Could have been better.”
“They did a great job at our school, especially Ruud and (Eric) Chinander.”
“The old staff would stop by the school and drop off a business card and continue on without connecting with the coaches.”
“Terrible, Kenny Wilhite wasn’t effective.”
“It was alright, got better with Mickey Joseph.”
“We didn’t have players that they were recruiting. Had very little interaction with them. Never visited the building. Really like them at clinics, willing to help.”
The post HOL In-State Tour Anonymous Feedback: Coaches’ impressions and advice for Matt Rhule and staff, impressions on previous Nebraska staff appeared first on On3.
