Finally Official: Papuchis is New Nebraska DC, Kaczenski Hired Away From Iowa As DL Coach

by Andy Ketterson on Dec 22, 2011 7:06 PM CST in 2011 Nebraska Huskers Football

Earlier today, Head Coach Bo Pelini finally made a couple of Nebraska's worst-kept secrets official regarding the defensive side of the coaching staff. Welcome aboard, Mark Stoops, and welcome back, Kevin Cosgrove!

Stop spitting pop all over your keyboards, I'm kidding.

Pelini announced that defensive line coach John Papuchis would replace Carl Pelini, who was hired as Florida Atlantic's head coach on Dec. 5, as defensive doordinator and that Rick Kaczenski has been hired as NU's new defensive line coach. Papuchis also served as NU's special teams coach and recruiting coordinator and Kaczenski served in the same postion at Iowa. At 33 and 36 years old respectively, Bo appears to be going with youth and energy as trademarks of the defensive staff.

More details on the hires can be found here. But more importantly, comment below:

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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Hooray!! More completely underwhelming hires!!!!

The construction of Kent State south is almost complete!

by Nunyabidness on Dec 22, 2011 7:15 PM CST reply actions

thanks

for your suggestions as to what might have been better.

or you just gonna suggest that Mike Stoops came by and leave it at that?

Go Big Red Nebraska!
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by Jon Johnston on Dec 22, 2011 8:13 PM CST up reply actions

What exactly would have been wrong with Mike Stoops?

God forbid we make a hire that actually makes some noise?

I knew this hire was going to go down this way. I guess I should just be thankful he didn’t talk some middle school JV coach out of retirement.

by Nunyabidness on Dec 22, 2011 8:47 PM CST up reply actions

one

Mike Stoops wouldn’t have come to Nebraska.

two – he’d be gone soon and if you want a lousy team, make sure your coaches stay on a revolving door track from year to year.

three – other than having a name, what great things has Mike Stoops done outside his brother’s shadow?

Go Big Red Nebraska!
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by Jon Johnston on Dec 22, 2011 9:24 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I think there are some irritated

Iowa fans right now. (unless they won’t admit that it is irritating and instead opt for the sour grapes attitude)

by JimmytheRed on Dec 22, 2011 7:37 PM CST reply actions

their

DC retired – I’m guessing whomever they hire will bring in his own guys…..

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
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by Jon Johnston on Dec 22, 2011 8:11 PM CST up reply actions

You'd be guessing wrong.

Watching the Cubs piss it away for 31 years.

by CarolinaHawk on Dec 22, 2011 10:14 PM CST up reply actions

Why?

"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"

by UltimaRatioRegum on Dec 22, 2011 11:11 PM CST up reply actions

I think these are great moves.

Screw big names – what Bo’s young defense needs is continuity. Papuchis is a rising star, and Kaczenski is a solid position coach. Good program-building hires.

by Cheeseandcorn on Dec 22, 2011 8:08 PM CST reply actions

agreed

It appears that Papuchis is someone that if they did not give a promotion would be gone soon, so why not promote him?

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
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by Jon Johnston on Dec 22, 2011 8:12 PM CST up reply actions

Because he's done a completely underwhelming job at his current position?

by Nunyabidness on Dec 22, 2011 8:48 PM CST up reply actions

Even in our down year, plagued with injuries

our defense was merely “average.” Our special teams was again very good. Not sure what you mean here.

by SccrHskr on Dec 23, 2011 8:39 AM CST up reply actions

Someone like Stoops or Zook

would’ve been gone in less than three years anyway. They want to get back to being a head coach, Papuchis wants to build his resume as a DC, and learn from one of the best.

by Andy Davis on Dec 22, 2011 8:25 PM CST reply actions

Yeah who wants talented coaches who would be in demand when we can hire guys no one will ever want

by Nunyabidness on Dec 22, 2011 8:48 PM CST up reply actions

Carl Pelini

got a head coaching gig. clearly someone wanted him.

Ekeler – hired away to a better position. clearly someone wanted him.

Papuchis will probably be hired as a head coach in about three or four years.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
Follow @cornnation Twitter
cornnation@gmail.com

by Jon Johnston on Dec 22, 2011 9:25 PM CST up reply actions

Shhhh

don’t rain on his negativity with facts.

by SccrHskr on Dec 22, 2011 10:57 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, Tom found Carl a job at FAU, one of the smallest division one programs in the country

clearly he was in high demand.

Indiana, one of the worst Division 1 programs in the country, hired Ekeler, again….wow

by Nunyabidness on Dec 22, 2011 11:29 PM CST up reply actions

Way to listen to the internet!

Gold star!

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Dec 22, 2011 11:34 PM CST up reply actions

Since Stoops and Zook were both just recently fired

What "talented coaches are you referring to?

Do we go fetal and beg for mercy? Or do we pick up that broken piece of pipe laying on the ground and come up swinging? I choose pipe.
Sober (again) since January 10th, 2011.

by nateforchiefs on Dec 23, 2011 11:54 AM CST up reply actions

I agree

they are not the flashy hires but that really isn’t Bo’s style. I like the d-line hire away from Iowa the guy has a good record of making good d-linemen. And this past season consistent play from the front four wasn’t all that great even before Crick went down. As for his DC hire did anyone really think Bo was going to bring in somebody that would challenge his authority when it comes schemes and personnel on that side of the ball. Pap got a pay raise is what it amounts too. Bo was hired by Osborne for his defense and it is Bo’s defense we see on Saturday good or bad. Pappy won’t take one ounce of heat if they do not perform Pelini will. Just like it has been since he got here.

by Huzkerfan on Dec 22, 2011 9:17 PM CST reply actions

I can understand...

…a lack of enthusiasm over Papuchis, but I thought he did good work in all areas last year. Two defensive tackles who were built for rushing the spread rather than plugging the middle, one of them gets hurt (Crick), the other one was becoming a beast by the end of the year (Baker). The top two backups, one plays through injury (Rome), the other plays through tragedy. Special teams was fairly dominant in every area except punt return. Recruiting philosophy is still a work in progress, but sights appear to be set much higher this year than in the past. That being said, I can absolutely see a situation where Bo steps back over to take a strong hand again with the defense this year after focusing on the offense this season.

As for Kaczinski, I don’t understand any complaints about this hire at all. He’s produced something like 7 NFL d-linemen in 4 years and their rushing defense has been top 10 twice in the last 4 years. I love this hire & not just because it’ll make Iowegians gnash their ~~teeth~~ tooth.

by Andy Ketterson on Dec 22, 2011 9:39 PM CST reply actions 3 recs

To Hear The Iowegians Say It

We just hired their Cosgrove. Can’t wait to see how the D performs against Iowa next season. They had better kick ass.

"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"

by UltimaRatioRegum on Dec 22, 2011 11:16 PM CST up reply actions

I don't

think it is necessarily lack of enthusiasm over Papuchis but some parts of the fan base wanted a big splash hire like Zook or Stoops. But Bo runs the defense at Nebraska the DC is just an extention of his hand. Zook or Stoops would want to do their own thing and that probably wouldn’t sit well at times with Pelini. Same way Osborne ran the offense during his time Bo runs the defense. I think people are kidding themselves if they think the DC is calling the shots.

by Huzkerfan on Dec 23, 2011 9:01 AM CST up reply actions

What a surprise

Bo Pelini promotes his buddy.

No one on the defensive staff deserves a promotion this year. Injuries or not, the defense was below average except against Michigan State and Iowa.

by WayneM on Dec 22, 2011 10:43 PM CST reply actions

I love the armchair QBs.

Considering the ALL HOLY ONE himself thought Pelini had a solid plan going forward suggests to me that as unexciting as these hires may be to the “HIRE SOMEONE EXCITING” crowd, I like the idea that Pelini ignores you all and hires the guys he thinks will get the job done.

It’s his team, his way. If it doesn’t work out, well, we’ve fired coaches before.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Dec 22, 2011 11:36 PM CST reply actions

I'm surprised Pelini poached Kazcenski in the first place.

I mean, convincing a position coach at a division/border rival to not only defect to your program, but to do it without so much as a promotion? Maybe Pelini’s a better recruiter than we thought.

And yes, I would’ve preferred some splash hires, honestly. With Michigan and Ohio State currently doing the football equivalent of stockpiling nukes, it would be nice to have Nebraska make some noise and declare to the rest of the conference that we’re not chopped liver over here.

However, I don’t know why, but I’ve got a good feeling about these hires. I only wish we could see them in action as a cohesive unit in time for the bowl game.

by FDLink on Dec 23, 2011 12:15 AM CST reply actions

I hate to say it, but while Sparty will soon fade and PSU is in an epic 6 month HC search...

…Hoke has Michigan back.

The options are to step up and keep pace, or become an Iowa – hope average recruits exceed expectations as you cycle from mediocre to excellent and back every few years.

Proud proponent of the 52 team Uber Conference

by ProveIt on Dec 23, 2011 1:28 AM CST up reply actions

As long

as those every few years brings a shot at a national title I would take it. And while Hoke has the Wolverines playing at a high level saying you are BACK you have set your sights to low. Michigan being back means they contend for a national title every year. Not just a controversial BCS bid because your fanbase travels well. Don’t sell yourself short with lowered expectations and lets see how the next two or three years go before you say Michigan is back. Because we have won 9 or 10 games since Pelini got here and I would say we are not back to where we as a fanbase or a program would like to be.

by Huzkerfan on Dec 23, 2011 9:27 AM CST up reply actions

That is close to my definition of being back.

Being a favorite for the conference title most years,
Front runner for the NC every few years.
(I can’t think of any program which is favored to run the table EVERY year).
…your attempt to establish an unreasonable definition of success rejected…

As long as those every few years brings a shot at a national title I would take it.

This has a nasty catch – when you spike and decline again, you find yourself down in the polls hoping those above you lose so you can move up, and you’re more likely to be dropped out of contention when you trip… not a good place to be.

It would be a stretch to call Iowa’s rise every 5 to 8 years as NC runs.

Downside – Nebraska doesn’t have a large state population to build a recruiting base.
Downside – Nebraska doesn’t come from a populous section of the nation for recruiting.
Upside – Nebraska has the brand to recruit out of state.
Upside – Nebraska has recognition from 2 conferences providing a large base.

Proud proponent of the 52 team Uber Conference

by ProveIt on Dec 23, 2011 5:35 PM CST up reply actions

I guess

we are going to have to wait and see how the hires all turn out. Meyer at OSU isn’t a lock for a national title. But, Ohio State couldn’t be happier with the hire it looks great on paper. But, he isn’t recruiting to Florida anymore plus when he left UF it isn’t like he left Muschamp with a title contending team. Maybe some chinks in his armor are beginning to show. Spurrier’s return at South Carolina has made them competitive every week but not an elite program. Plus I don’t think Brady Hoke was a splash hire. Thier splash hire was Rich Rod and we all saw how that turned out.

by Huzkerfan on Dec 23, 2011 9:14 AM CST up reply actions

To be fair to Urban...

…the best players for the roster spots he needs to fill are outside Florida.
…a lower ranked Florida WR changed his commitment as soon as Urban was hired.
He’s only had the job for a month!

when he left UF it isn’t like he left Muschamp with a title contending team

Scout.com rankings of Florida recruiting classes:
2010 Class rank: #1
2009 Class rank: #21
2008 Class rank: #12
2007 Class rank: #1
…Florida’s woes haven’t been that Meyer left them with an empty bench…

I don’t think Brady Hoke was a splash hire. Thier splash hire was Rich Rod and we all saw how that turned out.

The recruits disagree – RR saw recruited talent nosedive, Hoke has tSUN near the top in recruiting.

Complaining Meyer hasn’t locked up Florida in his 1st month…
and ignoring recruiting to point out Hoke wasn’t a splash hire in the press…
…isn’t the most convincing supporting claims to say the least…

You may not want to hear it, but if you want to keep pace with tSUN, you need to recruit much, much better.

Proud proponent of the 52 team Uber Conference

by ProveIt on Dec 23, 2011 5:51 PM CST up reply actions

I am

saying he is recruiting to different physical climate Columbus, Ohio not Gainsville Florida. Eighteen year old young men would rather look at bikinis over coveralls any day. If you don’t think that makes a difference you are mistaken. As for Hoke being a splash hire: If Michigan would have kept RR for one more year, and sucked again, who would people want more this year Brady Hoke, Les Miles, or Urban Meyer? Without a doubt Meyer or Miles. Why? Because they would be the big splash hires who have won before at other big-time programs not San Diego State. Does that translate to wins? We will see at OSU.

Floridas woes may not totally be on Meyer but he has a massive stake in it.

-Where is the 2007-2010 Florida classes ranked now as a team?? Answer: Worse than last year.
-Where did Florida end up last year with Meyers recruits? Did have a winning record?
-Who’s recruits did he win his first title with? Answer: Ironically Ron Zook with a splash of Tebow
-His second title had a healthy sprinkling of Zook’s boys and a massive amount of Tebow.
-What was his record post Tim Tebow??? Answer: Not good.
-He rode Tebow like a rented mule and when the ride was over so was Meyer at Florida.

On the other hand, the guy has had success everywhere he has been but, he hasn’t ever been anywhere very long. Ohio State wants a Hayes, Schembeckler, Osborne, or Stoops type of coach. Can he be that type of coach? We will see in ten years. But if he don’t win right away he is in trouble same as RR at Michigan because with the money he is getting paid boosters get down right pissy over 5-7 seasons (i.e Nebraska and Michigan this last decade). It doesn’t matter what the excuse is new system, probation, or whatever. OSU wants a return on their money if they don’t get it they will send him packing even if it is just back to the town he grew up in Ohio. I think the pressure to win at OSU will be three times what he had at Florida and he couldn’t physically handle that.

by Huzkerfan on Dec 26, 2011 11:15 PM CST up reply actions

Why does anybody want zook

For anything but an ex coach? What great defenses did he ever produce? Can he recruit hell yes but coach hell no. This new coach sent multiple players to the nfl and since he isn’t the sexy pick some people are upset. Good lord at least let him coach some people first before we judge him.
And on a side note who will be the new special teams coach and recruiting coordinator?

by huskermic on Dec 23, 2011 1:50 AM CST via mobile reply actions

No kidding - didn't we already try this sort of thing on the defensive side with with Blake?

Zook is Blake without the bad next-morning aftertaste.

by Andy Ketterson on Dec 23, 2011 5:56 AM CST up reply actions

I understand the want of having one of those guys though

Get an ace recruiter, put them in charge of special teams with plenty of “oversight” and let them bring in the talented bodies.

Do we go fetal and beg for mercy? Or do we pick up that broken piece of pipe laying on the ground and come up swinging? I choose pipe.
Sober (again) since January 10th, 2011.

by nateforchiefs on Dec 23, 2011 11:58 AM CST up reply actions

I like the moves

Pelini wants continuity and wants to maintain a hand in the defense. That’s absolutely fine by me. As for Kaczenski, he seemed to have good defensive lines more often than not at Iowa (and lets be honest, outside of Iowegians, no one would confuse the average recruiting classes of Nebraska and Iowa).

I admit I also like the Kaczenski hire precisely because we stole him from Iowa. They’ll pretend to be relieved to have him off their hands, but it really just feeds their inferiority complex, which is always fun to play off of.

"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne

by jdhusker on Dec 23, 2011 2:11 AM CST reply actions

I like Pelini keeping the staff intact while getting some insights into the Big Ten.

Sure, Zook could’ve brought that but as mentioned above, he’s not a Pelini or Mattison. And he would’ve wanted to blow up the defensive coaching staff and bring in his own guys.

We want consistency not one hit wonders. Leave that to teams like Auburn or Wisconsin.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Dec 23, 2011 7:18 AM CST via Android app up reply actions

Maybe Zook didn't want the job? A real possibility

I would say. Same thing with Stoops.

by Huzkerfan on Dec 23, 2011 9:31 AM CST reply actions

What Did Kaczenski Say

McKewon reported: “Kaczenski’s relatively provocative comments Thursday night about Nebraska’s brand name…”

What were those comments, anyone know?

"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?"

by UltimaRatioRegum on Dec 23, 2011 12:24 PM CST reply actions

he stated

that Nebraska will be the first big name he’s ever worked for… .

hahahahahah

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
Follow @cornnation Twitter
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by Jon Johnston on Dec 24, 2011 8:03 AM CST up reply actions

This totally reminds me

of last year’s “ZOMG!!!1 SCOTT FROST FOR OC1!!!!!”

Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.

by Brizzle T on Dec 23, 2011 3:30 PM CST reply actions

Great hires

Coach P is a great coach and minus this year, he has produced an outstanding d line u cant argue that. He did alot with a bunch of guys who were not doing shit for us including Suh. If he didn’t move up we would of lost him. The idea of stoops coming- why would we want him, he did a shitty job at Arizona and he wasn’t a great dc he was a ok one. His brother bob was the reason he got hired at Arizona and the only reason Oklahoma is great, and in my opinion there d got better without him. Zook would of been a good hire cause he has a good d at illini and he can recruit just cant head coach. Coach K from iowa is a great hire cause like it or not iowa the past five years has had a top 20 d line and he’s the only one now on our staff that knows the big 10 and he can recruit too. And another thing we all know why he hired coach p cause a. bo is going to take back the d at least for a few years ( a great thing) and b. we would coach p if we didn’t move him up and c. stoops and zook wouldn’t of came here cause both of them want credit for what they do and wouldn’t get it under bo.

by DirtySkers on Dec 24, 2011 6:04 PM CST reply actions