Damon Benning Director of Player Development

[Huskers12345]

Would you have been happier if he had hired somebody with zero connection to the program and current players? Should he hire somebody he doesn’t know so it doesn’t look like a “buddy hire”?

You mean, as in hire someone with experience or something on the resume to indicate they will be successful? Yeah, that would probably be best for a program that is struggling to be mediocre.

Just for fun I looked up NDSU's guy in the same position. Since they have recruited Nebraska well, are a very successful program and you could theoretically steal a staff member. Their guy was hired last spring after 3 years at South Dakota. Was the assistant for Player Personel at ISU before that. Probably less learning curve with a guy like that. I'm guys like that exist with ties to wherever you want.

 

[Big bo fan]

You mean, as in hire someone with experience or something on the resume to indicate they will be successful? Yeah, that would probably be best for a program that is struggling to be mediocre.

Just for fun I looked up NDSU's guy in the same position. Since they have recruited Nebraska well, are a very successful program and you could theoretically steal a staff member. Their guy was hired last spring after 3 years at South Dakota. Was the assistant for Player Personel at ISU before that. Probably less learning curve with a guy like that. I'm guys like that exist with ties to wherever you want.

Again this is not a recruiting position or coaching deal. Not sure why you can’t grasp that.

 

[davecisar]

Damon is very well connected in the Omaha area. He has been very successful as a HS assistant coach and he loves kids. He is an excellent communicator and developer of kids. He’s cut out for this job. I’ve seen him in action working with kids I coached. he’s the real deal. Not sure how big of an impact this will have on the w/l record, but it takes a load off the head coach if done properly. At this point- why not? Not going to hurt anything- may help a few kids. Best of luck to Damon- hate losing his TV football presence- he knows his football and is always extremely well prepared

 

[Huskers12345]

Again this is not a recruiting or any coaching position.this is a guy who help and develops with the personal Stuff not the player.stuff . The majority of these hire are former players who have connections to the HC or the university.Day hired a former player who was a detective on the Columbus PD for the position at OSU .

I was just responding to someone who said it's a good hire because of his evaluation skills and connections in the Omaha area. That may be true. How would we know that?

 

[Huskers12345]

Again this is not a recruiting position or coaching deal. Not sure why you can’t grasp that.

I fully grasp that. Other people are saying it is a good hire for exactly his connections to Omaha. That is crazy.

 

[davecisar]

I fully grasp that. Other people are saying it is a good hire for exactly his connections to Omaha. That is crazy.

Very true. His job is to help kids get through the college experience at Nebraska and prepare them for life outside of football. Lots of kids need this and that’s where I’m guessing 98 percent of his time will be spent. His background in youth development and education should be a real help- he’s a lifetime learner. Damon has really deep and wide ties to Omaha talent- he gets the low down on who’s got it and who will be problems. Helpful info for those who need to know

 

[Huskers12345]

Very true. His job is to help kids get through the college experience at Nebraska and prepare them for life outside of football. Lots of kids need this and that’s where I’m guessing 98 percent of his time will be spent. His background in youth development and education should be a real help- he’s a lifetime learner. Damon has really deep and wide ties to Omaha talent- he gets the low down on who’s got it and who will be problems. Helpful info for those who need to know

My point is, do we really have enough Omaha talent to justify hiring a guy to keep them happy? Was he the best hire we could have made? Could a guy from say, Saint Louis or California have done a better job? Looks like a lazy hire to me, but who knows.

 

[dinglefritz]

My point is, do we really have enough Omaha talent to justify hiring a guy to keep them happy? Was he the best hire we could have made? Could a guy from say, Saint Louis or California have done a better job? Looks like a lazy hire to me, but who knows.

This isn’t about keeping the Omaha talent happy. Multiple former coaches had Ron Brown on their staff largely because of his ability to connect with and mentor college athletes. This really doesn’t have much at all to do with coaching or recruiting. It’s making sure guys are doing what they’re supposed to and being there providing guidance and support. It’s a HUGE plus that he already knows and has relationships with many of the players because of his duties with the media.

 

[davecisar]

My point is, do we really have enough Omaha talent to justify hiring a guy to keep them happy? Was he the best hire we could have made? Could a guy from say, Saint Louis or California have done a better job? Looks like a lazy hire to me, but who knows.

I think the expectation level for role is almost all about development of all of the players off the field. Academics, home life, relationships, goal setting, mapping out the future. Damon is well respected by players, he played for NU- overcame some issues and made it to the League. He’s smart- has credibility- loves kids. He will do a great job. Head off issues before they become problems. Love the hire. This is a buddy hire that is probably just fine-Damon was born for this role. Too little too late IMO. It’s just a plus- his Omaha connections and info.

 

[Huskers12345]

This isn’t about keeping the Omaha talent happy. Multiple former coaches had Ron Brown on their staff largely because of his ability to connect with and mentor college athletes. This really doesn’t have much at all to do with coaching or recruiting. It’s making sure guys are doing what they’re supposed to and being there providing guidance and support. It’s a HUGE plus that he already knows and has relationships with many of the players because of his duties with the media.

Ron Brown was a great coach. Don't try and change the narrative to win an argument. Ron Brown was hired by a top program basically straight out of college.

I don't care if he has relationships with current players off a 7-6 team. If he played for kstate and was a UNK radio guy coaching in Omaha, does he get the job?

Not saying he won't be successful, but damn, we sure do like giving out jobs to people we know with no experience. Not a good pattern.

 

[TheRealPeliniTheCrutch]

Not gonna read all of the thread…again…but who is he replacing?

 

[davecisar]

Ron Brown was a great coach. Don't try and change the narrative to win an argument. Ron Brown was hired by a top program basically straight out of college.

I don't care if he has relationships with current players off a 7-6 team. If he played for kstate and was a UNK radio guy coaching in Omaha, does he get the job?

Not saying he won't be successful, but damn, we sure do like giving out jobs to people we know with no experience. Not a good pattern.

Coach Brown coached at Brown for 3 years as his first gig. Great coach who has always been a big picture player development guy leading with his strong faith. Coach Brown is a very good coach- maybe even a better player development guy with all of his background leading FCA. Very generous with his time and loves kids- very inspirational speaker. We are lucky to have him in any role. Damon has been doing player and youth development for decades. Even worked at the Open Door mission for Pastor Bob early in his career before going into education and broadcasting. Coach Brown and Damon have lots in common. Very solid hire and I’m not a Rhule apologist by any stretch

 

[Big bo fan]

My point is, do we really have enough Omaha talent to justify hiring a guy to keep them happy? Was he the best hire we could have made? Could a guy from say, Saint Louis or California have done a better job? Looks like a lazy hire to me, but who knows.

Now you showed your true colors you arrogant fk as I said this is not a recruiting or coaching position. This i s a position that requires guiding the players when they get on campus as best as possible.

 

[Huskers12345]

Now you showed your true colors you arrogant fk as I said this is not a recruiting or coaching position. This i s a position that requires guiding the players when they get on campus as best as possible.

My true colors? Haha You seem so emotional.

 

[Big bo fan]

My true colors? Haha You seem so emotional.

Why ? You literally say in one post that the people saying the Omaha connection is crazy because this is isn’t a recruiting position. Then in the post I responded you said maybe we should hire a guy from St. Louis or California. Which is it ?

 

[Huskers12345]

Why ? You literally say in one post that the people saying the Omaha connection is crazy because this is isn’t a recruiting position. Then in the post I responded you said maybe we should hire a guy from St. Louis or California. Which is it ?

I was pointing out that I doubt he was actually the best hire we could have made, if we were conducting a true search.

There is really no point in hiring someone because of their Omaha connections. Omaha doesn't have enough talent to justify that, and if it did, just actually win and recruit it properly and you wouldn't need to hire people with Omaha connections.

 

[skin-tight]

My gawd---the hand wringing and pearl clutching is quite satiating.

Based on the video on X this position needs to be filled by someone with local connections, inside knowledge of the Athletic Department and the Football team, and some with excellent speaking/communication skills, and genuinely wants and searches for the best decisions/outcomes for the Athlete.

I would say that he fits this need. I detest Rhule for his incompetence. this isnt it.

 

[Big bo fan]

I was pointing out that I doubt he was actually the best hire we could have made, if we were conducting a true search.

There is really no point in hiring someone because of their Omaha connections. Omaha doesn't have enough talent to justify that, and if it did, just actually win and recruit it properly and you wouldn't need to hire people with Omaha connections.

He wasn’t hired because of his Omaha connections . The OPs who think this is a recruiting job are idiots . If it had anything to do with recruiting Ryan Day wouldn’t have hired cop for the OSU gig . Coaches don’t conduct a true search with this position they hire someone close to them who has playing history or they hire a former player who has connections to the coaches current job .

 

[Huskers12345]

He wasn’t hired because of his Omaha connections . The OPs who think this is a recruiting job are idiots . If it had anything to do with recruiting Ryan Day wouldn’t have hired cop for the OSU gig . Coaches don’t conduct a true search with this position they hire someone close to them who has playing history or they hire a former player who has connections to the coaches current job .

I don't think OSU's position is the same as ours. Much different slants to them.

 

[Big bo fan]

I don't think OSU's position is the same as ours. Much different slants to them.

? CJ barret an ex cop is OSUs His job description is helping athletes on off field issues and helps prepare them for life after football. How is that different then Nebraska or every other CFB teams dude in this position?

 

[Huskers12345]

? CJ barret an ex cop is OSUs His job description is helping athletes on off field issues and helps prepare them for life after football. How is that different then Nebraska or every other CFB teams dude in this position?

Team security vs. Brand strategy

 

[Huskers12345]

My gawd---the hand wringing and pearl clutching is quite satiating.

Based on the video on X this position needs to be filled by someone with local connections, inside knowledge of the Athletic Department and the Football team, and some with excellent speaking/communication skills, and genuinely wants and searches for the best decisions/outcomes for the Athlete.

I would say that he fits this need. I detest Rhule for his incompetence. this isnt it.

I'm not sure Damon is qualified then. I don't know if I've ever heard someone use so many words to basically say nothing. Everyone settle down, I'm joking around.

I'm gonna bow out of this one now because I think Damon seems like a good guy and my beef is with Rhule, not him.

 

[huskerj12]

If anyone is actually interested in what this role entails you can check out this interview with Gus Felder who previously had the position

 

[dinglefritz]

If anyone is actually interested in what this role entails you can check out this interview with Gus Felder who previously had the position

One of the things listed in Damon’s responsibilities on a news release I saw was “NIL development”. I expect one of his duties will be “recruiting” and retaining NIL sponsors for players. It’s not as simple as bailing them out of jail after a bar fight back in Devaney’s days.

 

[Big bo fan]

One of the things listed in Damon’s responsibilities on a news release I saw was “NIL development”. I expect one of his duties will be “recruiting” and retaining NIL sponsors for players. It’s not as simple as bailing them out of jail after a bar fight back in Devaney’s days.

Well Bob and his coaches couldn’t bail them out they were getting loaded at the Legion club .

 

[suffocation_]

I’m great. Knee is up to 95 degrees of flexion 3 weeks post op. I was just a little concerned by your mental state. . Life is too short for pessimism. Skepticism? Okay. None of us know where this season goes but that’s the fun of it

I'm glad to hear that and I hope you're at 100% soon! My mother had a knee replacement months ago and it's been a process for her.

I don't view it as pessimism, just aggressive honesty.

When I was a low achieving individual in my teens and early 20s, I was dishonest with myself and the source of my short-comings.

I began aggressively embracing the evidence in front of my eyes, and now I have a beautiful wife, a house we love, a great job in corporate finance at a Fortune 500 company, and endless happiness thru musical endeavors with friends.

The outcome of this season was decided by the events leading up to it. Yes, there's the 5% glimmer of hope about catching lightning in a bottle, but there is no evidence to suggest we will see a Matt Rhule team look anything better than a lower-middle tier P4 team.
Does it suck? Not really, I mourned this outcome when Rhule was hired, and anything above what I expected is extra.

 

[Big bo fan]

I'm glad to hear that and I hope you're at 100% soon! My mother had a knee replacement months ago and it's been a process for her.

I don't view it as pessimism, just aggressive honesty.

When I was a low achieving individual in my teens and early 20s, I was dishonest with myself and the source of my short-comings.

I began aggressively embracing the evidence in front of my eyes, and now I have a beautiful wife, a house we love, a great job in corporate finance at a Fortune 500 company, and endless happiness thru musical endeavors with friends.

The outcome of this season was decided by the events leading up to it. Yes, there's the 5% glimmer of hope about catching lightning in a bottle, but there is no evidence to suggest we will see a Matt Rhule team look anything better than a lower-middle tier P4 team.
Does it suck? Not really, I mourned this outcome when Rhule was hired, and anything above what I expected is extra.

You literally need to take a break from the board.

 

[suffocation_]

You literally need to take a break from the board.

You literally need to take a break from sucking cöck, Mr. 20,000 posts.