Steven Sipple: Joining new team at critical juncture in Nebraska football history

I’ve never been more interested in Nebraska football than I am right now.

That’s a weighty statement. After all, I began covering the program full time in 1995 when the Tom Osborne-led Huskers were hitting on all cylinders, capturing national titles in 1994, 1995 and 1997. It was a period to behold. The 1990s and subsequent years were fascinating and exciting. During the Osborne years, though, success was eminently predictable – predictable in a wonderful way for a devoted and delirious fan base.

These days, well, things aren’t quite so predictable.

These days, the mood is defined by uncertainty. It’s intense, and tense.

Perhaps you’ve noticed.

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As I start this next chapter of my sports-writing career – thank you Shannon Terry and On3.com for this incredible opportunity – the Nebraska football program finds itself in a critical period. Oh, it’s always intense and weighty around here when it comes to Nebraska football. It’s a matter of degrees. In this case, intensity and scrutiny ramp up to a high degree by the fact fifth-year Husker head coach Scott Frost’s back is against the proverbial wall.

He’s 15-29 overall and 10-25 in the Big Ten – and has a new boss.

The new boss, Trev Alberts, is watching closely.

Frost probably needs to get his program to a bowl game, at the very least, in order to be afforded the chance to coach at his alma mater for another season. I’m thinking he better get to eight wins to be on the safe side.

Yes, it’s intense.

Frost has executed his plan

Guess what? Frost is still fighting. In a smooth and professional manner, he made key changes to his coaching staff this past winter, hiring five new full-time assistants. There were no glitches in the process. He identified targets and got them. Alberts was impressed. He had to be impressed.

In November, Frost told media Nebraska needed to take its program to the proverbial next level by getting help from the transfer portal and junior-college ranks. Even Frost’s most hardcore detractors now have to say he’s fortified the roster well by landing 15 players from the portal – the most of any Big Ten team – as well as three from the juco ranks.

He laid out a plan — and executed it.

Nebraska finished 3-9 last season against a rugged schedule. I’d say NU’s never had a tougher schedule, at least not during my time covering the program.

The Huskers’ 2022 schedule is much more manageable. Which is partly why you’re hearing prognosticators characterize Frost’s crew as a dark-horse threat to win the Big Ten West Division. Those new faces on the roster are another reason for legitimate optimism. Frost and company brought in proven players at positions where NU was most vulnerable, most notably quarterback and defensive line.

So, here we are again. It’s June 1. This will be a colossal recruiting month for Nebraska, as defined by a slew of on-campus visitors. All the while, mind you, Frost and his coaches must continue to coach up the players on the 2022 roster. We too often forget that part.

Need we remind you that new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple is overhauling the system? It’s safe to say June is an ultra-intense month for the entire staff, but especially for the offensive coaches and players. We’re talking 12-hour days on the regular. This program absolutely must hit the ground running once preseason camp rolls around in late July.

The opener in Ireland looms on August 27^th. Think about it.

Time is always of the essence, but especially now.

Hopefully, you now have a good idea of why I say I’ve never been more interested in what’s going on at Memorial Stadium.

Yes, it’s a weighty conversation. But we still can have fun with it. The challenge is fun.

Our challenge? Well, many Nebraska fans know as much (or more) about the program as I do. You think that’s not a challenge for a writer?

We’ll bring intensity as a staff, and we’ll keep it real. Of that, I’m sure.

All those years at the Lincoln Journal Star covering the program were incredibly rewarding, and intense.

Here’s to a new chapter. Thank you, On3.

Let’s roll.

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More information: Nebraska Cornhuskers Fan Site Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).