Following Iowa's 28-21 win against Nebraska on Friday, Steven M. Sipple and Parker Gabriel went live on Facebook to discuss the game and take your questions.
Lincoln Journal Star
Things I know, and things I think I know:Â
Nebraska football coach Scott Frost hasn't committed, at least not publicly, to hiring an assistant coach who would handle only special teams.Â
If he were inclined in that direction, and I'm hearing that's the case, there's one person who probably should be strongly considered.
He's right under the same roof as Frost.Â
Bill Busch joined Frost's staff in February as a defensive analyst, and helped the team this season in a variety of ways. He knows the personnel in the building. All of it. That alone is valuable, particularly if Frost fills the other three openings on his full-time staff with coaches from other programs.
The 56-year-old Busch grew up in Pender (population 1,112) in Thurston County. He basically willed his way into being a college football coach in the early 1990s, going so far as to buy — on his own dime — the same coaching uniform worn by the Nebraska staff, even though he wasn't technically part of that staff. Long story short, Busch landed a gig as a Husker graduate assistant under Tom Osborne and eventually kept climbing the coaching ladder. Â
He's been a full-time assistant on nine different collegiate staffs. It'll soon be 10. Rest assured, he'll get hired again somewhere.
In order to work for Frost this season, Busch turned down an offer last winter to be a co-defensive coordinator at Boise State. Bottom line, though, he wants to be in Lincoln. His wife, Laura, is a former Husker cheerleader and has been a realtor here for years even as he worked elsewhere. His parents live in Creighton (population 1,154) in Knox County. This is home for Busch. Home is powerful.Â
He spent 2004 to 2007 at Nebraska under head coach Bill Callahan coaching outside linebackers (2004) and safeties (2005-07) while also serving as special-teams coordinator. During his tenure under Callahan, the Huskers blocked 16 kicks, including seven in 2005. NU ranked in the top 25 nationally in net punting (24th in 2006) and punt returns (17th in 2005) as well. The kickoff coverage unit ranked 15th nationally in 2006 after finishing 22nd the previous year.
In 2012, with Busch serving as Utah State's safeties coach and special-teams coordinator, the Aggies won a school-record 11 games and finished the year ranked No. 16th nationally.Â
When Urban Meyer took over as Utah's head coach before the 2003 season, he retained only two assistant coaches — Busch and Kyle Whittingham, who's now the most-tenured head coach in the Pac-12 with 18 seasons at Utah.Â
What's more, Busch's recruiting victories are, well, remarkable. Although he's been an assistant coach on defense throughout his career, Busch recruited two quarterbacks who went on to be selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft. One was Utah great Alex Smith, the top pick in 2005. The other is Joe Burrow, the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner from LSU. Busch was part of the Ed Orgeron staff that won the national crown in 2019.Â
So, a quick trivia question: Who recruited the last Nebraska player to be chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft?Â
Yes, it was Busch who recruited Prince Amukamara, the 19th overall pick in 2011.Â
Frost seems genuinely pleased with the interest he's receiving for all the openings on his staff.
But sometimes the best candidate is right under your roof.Â
* I've mentioned previously that Matt Davison, Nebraska's associate athletic director for football, is helping Frost with the assistant-coach hiring process — emphasis on process . Make no mistake, Frost is making the decision on these hires.Â
* Frost's hiring process is in motion as we speak. Plenty of groundwork has been laid. The process has to be moving quickly at this point. In other words, it would've been very risky for Frost to wait until the end of the season to part ways with four assistant coaches, in part because the first National Signing Day looms Dec. 15. Â
* Coveted class of 2024 quarterback Dylan Raiola, of Burleson, Texas, attended Texas' home win against Kansas State on Saturday. The stadium had thousands of empty seats — officially 25,000 in a venue that seats 100,119, although those in attendance insisted there were more than 25,000 empties.
At any rate, tip your cap to Nebraska fans, who filled their stadium Friday and were loud . Believe me, that gets recruits' attention. I'm guessing it also gets assistant coaches' attention.Â
I saw a lot of angry Husker fans following the game. That's a good thing.
Indifference is the worst thing.Â
* According to sources, Donovan Raiola, the Chicago Bears' assistant offensive line coach and younger brother of all-time Husker great Dominic Raiola, is on Frost's radar screen for the open offensive line position. Don't read into this as being a convenient avenue to ultimately land Dylan Raiola. Frost understands there's urgency in getting his program on track quickly. If he doesn't get it rolling next season, the Dylan Raiola-to-NU conversation becomes moot. Â
If Donovan Raiola is anything like Dominic, he wouldn't want to be handed anything.
Bottom line, Frost needs coaches who can hit the ground running.
* Nebraska defensive lineman Ben Stille just wrapped up an excellent senior season, one that surely got the attention of NFL folks. It also appears NU could lose junior defensive linemen Deontre Thomas and Damion Daniels. That would be a major hit to Erik Chinander's unit.
* Quote of the weekend: Jim Harbaugh, asked Saturday following Michigan's colossal triumph if he has thoughts on trash talking from Ohio State, notably in recent years:
"Some people were born on third and think they hit a triple."
Yep, Harbaugh is back. I sort of missed obnoxious Jim. Sort of.Â
Photos: Check out the sights from Nebraska and Iowa's latest Black Friday clash
Iowa's Jermari Harris (with ball) celebrates his interception with teammates Dane Belton (left) and Jack Koerner (right) join in the closing moments of the Hawkeyes' 28-21 win over Nebraska on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Iowa's Jermari Harris (bottom) intercepts a pass from Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers as the Hawkeyes' Dane Belton celebrates the turnover in the closing moments of Iowa's 28-21 victory Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers gets wrapped up by Iowa's Lukas Van Ness (91) before throwing the ball from the end zone in the fourth quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium. Smothers was called for intentional grounding and the play resulted in a safety for Iowa.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers was up-and-down in his last start in a Husker uniform, a 28-21 loss to Iowa on Nov. 26, 2021. Will he see an expanded role Saturday?
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska defensive lineman Ben Stille walks off the field for the last time after the Huskers lost to Iowa 28-21 on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Iowa's Tyler Goodson looks over his shoulder as he runs for a 55-yard gain against Nebraska in the fourth quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Ben Stille walks off the field after the Huskers' 28-21 loss to Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Iowa players celebrate an interception by Jermari Harris (27) in the fourth quarter against Nebraska on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Iowa's Spencer Petras (from right), Jeremy Chaplin and Arland Bruce celebrate Petras' fourth-quarter touchdown against Nebraska on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (5) looks around the field as he walks off for the last time after the Huskers lost 28-21 to Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (5) is emotional as he walks off the field for the last time after the Huskers lost 28-21 to Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (5) pats his heart as he walks off the field for the last time after the Huskers lost 28-21 to Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Iowa's Charlie Jones gets tackled by Nebraska's Phalen Sanford (37) in the first quarter on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Logan Smothers gets tackled Iowa's Jermari Harris (27) in the second quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (right) has a conversation with Husker linebacker Caleb Tannor (2) after Tannor was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct in the first half against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's Jaquez Yant (0) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against Iowa on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. College football guru Phil Steele predicts the Huskers average over 33 points per game this season.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Isaac Gifford (left) breaks up a pass intended for Iowa's Nico Ragaini (29) on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.Â
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska's Ty Robinson (99) celebrates his sack of Iowa quarterback Alex Padilla (8) in the first quarter on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) dives into the end zone for the Huskers first touchdown against Iowa in the first quarter Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska's Casey Rogers (right) celebrates a second-quarter sack of Iowa's Alex Padilla (8) on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's TY Robinson (99) and Nick Henrich (42) celebrate Robinson's sack in the first quarter against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Logan Smothers runs with the ball in the first quarter against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Logan Smothers warms up before a game against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Injured Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (left) watches his replacement Logan Smothers during pregame warmups before taking on Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Injured Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez tosses a ball during warmups before the Iowa game Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Injured Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez watches warmups prior to the Iowa game on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) warms up in front of injured Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (left) before taking Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Injured Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (left) shakes hands with his replacement Logan Smothers during pregame warmups before taking on Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's Logan Smothers (right) high-fives Mason McGranaghan, 10, from Omaha as he enters the stadium before their game against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska players enter the stadium before the Iowa game on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Logan Smothers enters the stadium before a game against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Jordon Riley enters the stadium before the game against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (3) pulls in the first-down reception despite the defense of Iowa's Kaevon Merriweather late in the fourth quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's Austin Allen (11) tries to hold off Iowa's Kaevon Merriweather (26) before being pushed out of bounds in the fourth quarter Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Logan Smothers (8) walks off the field after Iowa defeated Nebraska 28-21 on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Iowa's Riley Moss (33) celebrates a sack of Nebraska's Logan Smothers in the fourth quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Brody Belt (32) drops an incomplete pass while being defended by Iowa's Seth Benson (44) in the fourth quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras (7) scores what would be the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter against Nebraska on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) reacts to the official's penalty call of pass interference in the third quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Jaquez Yant (0) dives into the end zone for a second-quarter touchdown against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Quinton Newsome (left) breaks up a pass intended for Iowa's Keagan Johnson in the third quarter on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. Johnson, a Bellevue West grad, entered the transfer portal on Thursday and could be a target for the new coaching staff.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska coach Scott Frost shakes hands with Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz (right) after Iowa defeated Nebraska 28-21 on Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Iowa tight end Luke Lachey (85) attempts to break through Nebraska's Quinton Newsome (6) and Luke Reimer (28) in the third quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Iowa's Caleb Shudak (10) kicks a field goal in the third quarter against Nebraska on Friday, Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras (7) passes over a leaping Luke Reimer (28) during a Nov. 26, 2021, game at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Iowa's Kyler Fisher (37) scores a touchdown after blocking Nebraska's William Przystup's punt as his teammates Sebastian Castro (29) and Jay Higgins (34) celebrate in the fourth quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Iowa's Kyler Fisher (37) scores a touchdown on punt by Nebraska's William Przystup that Iowa blocked as the Hawkeyes' Sebastian Castro (29), Mike Timm (36) and Jay Higgins celebrate in the fourth quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (3) pulls in a pass late in the fourth quarter against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) attempts a pass over rush of Iowa's Lukas Van Ness in the first quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (right) watches the Huskers in the fourth quarter against Iowa on Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) celebrates his third-quarter touchdown against Iowa with Husker center Cam Jurgens (51) on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska tight end Austin Allen runs downfield after catching a pass against Iowa in the third quarter Friday, Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska receiver Omar Manning looks for running room against Iowa's Jack Koerner after catching a pass last November at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras (7) gets protection from his offensive line as Nebraska's Garrett Nelson is pushed away by lineman Nick DeJong (56) in the third quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska's Deontre Thomas (97) emerges from the pile with the ball fumbled by Iowa in the third quarter as teammate Ty Robinson (99) celebrates the turnover on Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska'a Nick Henrich (left) chases after Iowa's Charlie Jones but can't stop him from taking the pass for a first down in the third quarter on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska linebacker JoJo Domann (center) and his parents Teddi (left) and Craig Domann laugh at a comment from Huskers athletic director Trev Alberts during the Senior Day festivities before the Iowa game on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Karen Stille, mother of Nebrsaka defensive lineman Ben Stille (right), wipes her eyes during the Huskers' Senior Day festivities before the Iowa game on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) celebrates scoring a touchdown against Iowa with teammates Austin Allen and Cam Jurgens last season at Memorial Stadium.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (right) has a conversation with Husker linebacker Caleb Tannor (2) after he was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty in the first half against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) throws a pass in the first half against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) throws a pass in the first half against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against Iowa on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Samori Toure (3) gets tripped up by Iowa's Jack Koerner (28) as Riley Moss (33) comes in to finish the tackle in the first quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) draws a pass interference penalty against Iowa's Keagan Johnson in the third quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Austin Allen adjusts his helmet before taking a photo with a fan after the Huskers' 28-21 loss to Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska players including Garrett Nelson (44), Caleb Tannor (left) and Nick Henrich (42) celebrate a recovery of an Iowa fumble on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska fans cheer before the Iowa kicks off to open Friday's game at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska coach Scott Frost greets cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt on Senior Day against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Brody Belt is forced out of bounds by Iowa's Seth Benson in the fourth quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Black Hawk helicopters fly over Memorial Stadium before Nebraska plays Iowa in football on Friday.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Chase Contreraz (26) kicks an extra point being held by William Przystup (90) against Iowa in the third quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
The Huskers take the field before their game against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Fans exit the Memorial Stadium after the Nebraska football team's 28-21 loss to Iowa on Friday.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Casey Rogers (98) runs onto the field before the game against Iowa on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Iowa's Tyler Goodson (15) evades Nebraska's Marquel Dismuke (9) and Caleb Tannor (2) in the first quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska coach Scott Frost greets the Huskers' JoJo Domann (13) for Senior Day on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska coach Scott Frost greets injured Husker quarterback Adrian Martinez for Senior Day on Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost greets the Huskers' Austin Allen for Senior Day on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's JoJo Domann (13) runs off the field at halftime of the Huskers' game against Iowa on Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Iowa's Zach VanValkenburg (97) and Logan Lee (85) celebrate VanValkenburg's sack of Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) in the fourth quarter on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska's Marvin Scott (21) gets stopped by a number of Iowa players in the first quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska coach Scott Frost greets the Huskers' Ben Stille for Senior Day on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Luke Reimer (28) lies on the ground after a failed tackle attempt on Iowa's Monte Pottebaum in the third quarter on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Jaquez Yant (0) dives into the end zone for a second-quarter touchdown against Iowa on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Nebraska's Cam Jurgens (51) snaps the ball to Logan Smothers in the fourth quarter Nov. 26 at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Austin Allen (11) gets pushed out of bounds by Iowa's Jack Koerner in the fourth quarter on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
Iowa's Jack Plumb (79) keeps Nebraska's Garrett Nelson (44) away from quarterback Spencer Petras on Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Iowa's Monte Pottebaum (38) gets taken down by several Nebraska players in the third quarter on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
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