An Open Letter to Husker Football Fans

An Open Letter to Husker Football Fans:

I love Nebraska. This is a special place. The Huskers are my 2nd favorite team only because I was born in Tallahassee and grew up in Florida. You see, Florida State University will always be my #1 school but I do root for Nebraska as well.

It is from the perspective as a die-hard and life-long Seminoles fan that I offer the following thoughts on Coach Frost and the future of Nebraska Football.

Husker fans, you are lucky! You get to welcome home one of your own. Enjoy it. Be respectful of his family and their need for normalcy. Don’t bother his wife and child. Give his parents some space. Understand that even Husker legends need to be able to breathe a little bit on their own.

My “fanhood” has recently been kicked in the stomach. For the first time in over 40 years, Florida State is conducting a search for a head football coach. It’s a reminder of what a huge BUSINESS college football has become. Florida State’s former coach chose to take a job at Texas A&M, a place that pales mightily in comparison of tradition and accomplishments. However it turns out, he will make over $20,000 a day, every day, for the next 10 years in a guaranteed contract.

We live in a day and age when head coaches like Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, the guy who just left FSU for Texas A&M, and others are akin to hired assassins. They go to the highest bidder. Their agents hold universities and booster clubs hostage. It’s a big-time business.

But, now, Nebraska has a chance to avoid all of that. Coach Frost is back home in his dream job. He wants to be here and could end up being here for 12-18 years depending on how long he wants to coach. Give him support. Be patient. It’s highly unlikely, despite how good he is, that Nebraska will go 12-0 next year like his UCF team did this year. In fact, a 7-5 record in Lincoln in 2018 might be worthy of some “coach of the year” honors. It will take a few years but enjoy the journey. Embrace the process of going in the right direction.

When Nebraska gets “back” to where they’ve been, it will be that much sweeter for you. You won’t have to look over your shoulder when another big job opens up because you have your guy and your guy has you. This is meant to work. This is how it is supposed to be. A Nebraskan leading Nebraska. It worked out pretty well when a guy named Osborne from Hastings was at the helm!

Watch out how you handle yourself on social media. Don’t vent just to vent. Don’t attack this new coaching staff at the first sign of adversity. They’re going to get the train rolling again but first, they need to get it back on the track and that can sometimes be a little bumpy.

While most college football fans won’t admit it to you, you’re now the envy of many fan bases. You don’t have a hired gun as your coach. You have a Nebraska guy at the helm. Someone who understands the culture of this state. Someone who knows how we value work ethic, integrity, and pride. Someone who cares about you. Someone who appreciates Nebraska. Cornhusker wins will be so much sweeter in the coming seasons.

My guys in Tallahassee will be fine. They’ll hire a great coach that can recruit well. They will win lots of games. However, whoever the new coach is for my beloved Seminoles won’t be one of our own. He’ll be another hired gun. What I wouldn’t give for a Seminole legend like Warrick Dunn, Derrick Brooks, Charlie Ward, or Chris Weinke to be our head coach but that’s not in the cards.

This is going to be a tremendous ride Nebraska. Don’t forget the tough times you’ve endured over the last 15 years. They will hopefully make you appreciate the next 15 years a lot more. “Winning” is hard to do. The 1970’s, 1980’s, and 1990’s are over. They’re not coming back. No fan base is entitled to 11-win seasons and championships every year. It’s a grueling process.

I will be rooting loudly for Coach Frost, his staff, and the Husker Football Program. This is going to be so fun to watch a Nebraskan do things the “Nebraska way” that I have come to love and admire so much.

Go Big Red!