In an attempt to revive its failing football program, the University of Nebraska signed Dana Holgorsen to a two-year contract as offensive coordinator. Just what the Cornhuskers need if they are going to recharge their offense will surely be a very different kind of hire. Part of the challenge will be to turn Nebraska’s unit into a more dynamic, explosive Big Ten force while Holgorsen could benefit from his high-powered offensive schemes and experience at major programs.
This appointment of Holgorsen has come after the resignation of former offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, who left the team after a disappointing season in which Nebraska could not maintain consistency on offense. Cornhuskers fans are hoping that with Holgorsen, a veteran coach, the new approach might help revive the program, which has been experiencing setbacks in the past couple of years.
Coming from a position with a rich background experience at both the collegiate and professional level, Dana Holgorsen had tenured tenures in both stints. He was once the head coach at the University of Houston, where he spent a couple of years turning the Cougars into one of the most potent offenses in the nation. His stay in Houston included a couple of high-scoring seasons, and Holgorsen became the poster child for an innovative, up-tempo offense that would feature plenty of passing and explosive plays.
But it can be said that the offenses for Holgorsen have an exceptionally rich history, especially under West Virginia University, where he spearheaded them to several bowl games with a highly ranked Big 12 offense. With quarterback development and dynamic design being some of his areas of strength, Holgorsen has been in demand in college football coaching ranks.
As Nebraska rebuilds its offensive identity, Holgorsen will likely change the team’s playcalling philosophy. Holgorsen is known for his up-tempo, pass-heavy schemes, which are a departure from the more traditional offensive strategies that Nebraska has employed in recent years. His offenses tend to rely on quick-hitting passing plays, a strong downfield passing game, and the ability to keep defenses on their toes with a high number of snaps.
With respect to Nebraska, Holgorsen will focus on the development of quarterbacks, improved constancy on the offensive side through their line, and the potential that skill position players have created the ability to create mismatches off of the matchup principle. Nebraska will seek an ability on offense that can match up with some of the conference’s more high-powered offenses while many Big Ten teams during the past few seasons enjoyed success behind aggressive systems offensively.
Holgorsen’s two-year contract signifies a new dawn for Nebraska football. The experienced coach is expected to bring offensive fireworks that Nebraska has long needed. On the defensive side, it has traditionally been a hallmark of Nebraska. However, the team on the offensive side of the ball hasn’t shown that kind of consistency. Holgorson is, therefore, the move that should give Nebraska the competitive edge needed in the Big Ten to vie at the top as this conference continues to get its offense at the level needed.
The fans and experts will keenly be monitoring how Holgorsen’s offense will unfold for the next seasons because of Nebraska’s quest to re-establish itself as a major football power.