Jeremy - There has been a lot of talk about turmoil within the FB program

**woodie** · 05-24-2006, 09:35 PM

i made an errant statement in one of my posts above. i said it was not a coaches' job to babysit
his athletes. well harold nichols used to corral all of the wrestlers on new year's eve. we would meet at his house and ole uncle nic would take us to a flick in downtown ames at about 10 pm. after the flick,nick would invite us back to his residence for some good "eats"!!! i guarantee mrs nic could really cook. she was a very gracious lady that coach nichols had met in alabama and she had that alabama charm.
we brought our sleeping bags to nic's house and serpt there until the next morning.coach nichols kept us out of trouble on the new years eve. i guess you call that" wrestling sitting".

**Wesley** · 05-25-2006, 10:31 AM

The most famous babysitting job in Nebraska Redlands or Dead Zone as NU Fan might say was when Tom Osbourne moved Lawrence Phillips into his own house to keep Lawrence out of trouble. Of course, when he moved on and out, he sort of played out his luck. Did any ISU coaches move a player into their house to watch him? I guess it worked.

**NU Follower** · 05-25-2006, 12:59 PM

Bryce,

Andre Jones, the #1 JUCO corner is fine and will be in Lincoln in June. Steve Allen (former Cyclone recruit) and now former NU JUCO LB will not be able to make it to Lincoln. Some NCAA clearinghouse technicality, he attended 3 JUCOs in the past 2 years, and that will make him ineligible. Sounds like a stupid rule, but again that is the NCAAs.

So far, Nebraska has lost 2 recruits from this past year for sure: Ricky Henry, center from Omaha, and the afore-mentioned Steve Allen. Major Culbert is also doubtful to make it to Lincoln. Depends upon how fast the courts go in Oregon and whether or not he's innocent or guilty.

Also, it amazes me how far fetched the Lawrence Phillips story continues to become. It has been 11 years now and it is still brought up like it was yesterday. By the way, I never heard of Lawrence moving in with Osborne. Provide a link if you can, which is doubtful.

**avery_larry** · 05-25-2006, 01:19 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>
In Iowa City the athletic department does a phenomenal job of keeping things hidden, and they are supported by the media and the citizens. Ames does not seem to have that relationship established, and that hurts the image of the athletic department at times.
[/b][/quote]

If I understand your post correctly, then I am even more thankful that I live in Ames. I firmly believe that covering anything up is just plain wrong. I'm enough of a realist to understand that not everyone has the same personal standards as I do and that college athletics has some distinct business aspects to it. I also don't want the media to just be negative or sensationalistic and make the athletic department look bad without due cause. But I don't want even a hint of "win at any cost" -- if that means we have to use *really* bad characters and cover things up for them.

**monkeybrow** · 05-25-2006, 01:24 PM

NU FAN

Distinguished Gentlemen Lawrence is continiously brought to the table for a number of reasons...mainly due to "Larry" being the standard-bearer of ultimate college-athlete bad egg...Sure there have been plenty of other athletes who stray (naughty Berryman), but not with the national profile of crazy Larry. His gold medal in co-ed follicle-dragging amongst other golden moments forever cements his legacy and attaches his career like a nast deer tick to the bios of Osborne and Big-Red football.  

**NU Follower** · 05-25-2006, 01:28 PM

True,

But that was 11 years ago and 2 coaches ago. The majority of his stupid actions took place long after he left Nebraska. Was Lawrence even suspended by Osborne while at Nebraska? Anyone remember?

**monkeybrow** · 05-25-2006, 01:35 PM

I understand your point.....

perception is reality however (right or wrong)

perception being that Osborne overlooked Larry's misbehavings due to his talent level (much like McCarney/Berryman) and it came back to bite Osborne on the nuggets....much like McCarney...except there was far-less national exposure documenting the bite marks.

Hey....what's a little nad-damage compared to Osborne's accomplishments?

**NU Follower** · 05-25-2006, 02:58 PM

Monkey,

I think Osborne is one of the top 3 college football coaches of all time. To do what he did, 9+ win seasons for twenty five years in a state with a limited talent base is amazing.

I still think Osborne was just trying to just help Phillips. It was Lawrence's junior year, and I think there was an agreement for Phillips to go pro after that particular season as long as he behaved. Osborne suspended Phillips for 8 or 9 games(can't remember as it was a long time ago) and then let Phillips play the last 2 or 3 games basically for the Pro Scouts.

Phillips did stay clean during his remaining months in Lincoln, but then had the numerous poor decisions during his pro career. Truly sad, as LP was the best RB I have ever seen play at Nebraska and his digressions are associated waaayyyy toooo much with Osborne.

**Cyclonesrule91** · 05-25-2006, 03:05 PM

Hey NU Fan

I was trying to remember a couple days ago what the guys name that played O-Line who was deaf about the same time Phillips was there (I think). He would watch the center who would somehow flash play changes to him since he couldn't hear. Didn't he play a while in the NFL too? He was huge and not a lot of fat on him and was a pure athlete. Can you help me out?

**NU Follower** · 05-25-2006, 03:19 PM

Kenny Walker, he played for several years with the Broncos. Really neat person and story.

**Cyclonesrule91** · 05-25-2006, 03:25 PM

Ya, I seen a couple documentary programs about him and was very impressed. Very nice guy it seemed. He had and interesting family story as well if I remember correctly. Where was he from originally?

**CTTB78** · 05-25-2006, 06:10 PM

Danny Mac should know how to keep big time player out of the lime light as he saw how it was done for a long time in Iowa City. Never hurts to have the chief of police on your side.

I agree that Iowa City is still very good a making sure the first call goes to the right person. Are we just too lilly white in Ames?