Nebraska Football: Mike Riley Introduces New Defensive Coordinator Bob Diaco

Friday afternoon Nebraska head coach Mike Riley introduced the new defensive coordinator, Bob Diaco, ahead of a busy recruiting weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Coach Mike Riley started the presser by addressing Mark Banker’s dismissal. He started by thanking Banker for the years they’d shared, being sure to emphasize that Banker had mentored “literally 1000s” of players. He explained that firing Banker was a difficult task. The manner of the firing was not ideal but there was a short window to act on hiring Diaco.

He noted later that the decision was made after reviewing tape from the Music City Bowl against Tennessee, though evaluations had been on-going for some time.

Riley explained that he had been considering a switch to the 3-4 for a while, reminding us that he started coaching in the 3-4. He also noted that several teams in the Big Ten run the 3-4, so adding that front to practice will also benefit the offense.

Riley finished this part of the presser by addressing the ninth assistant coaching spot, indicating that Nebraska would fill that after National Signing Day, and would focus on recruiting until then.

Bob Diaco then took the podium, dressed in his new Nebraska gear.

Diaco had this to say about the attitude he expects from his defenders:

Last, and most important, Diaco addressed the Blackshirt tradition by stating that starters would be given blackshirts at the beginning of the season.