Nebraska football: Tennessee’s move puts pressure on Moos

Now that Tennessee has fired Butch Jones, Nebraska football fans are waiting to see if Bill Moos does the same.

Mike Riley‘s fate was likely sealed once the Nebraska football team got crushed by Minnesota. Despite most people knowing he was going to be fired sooner or later, new Nebraska AD Bill Moos has said he doesn’t fire coaches in the middle of the season.

While that’s an admirable approach to take, things have changed a little bit since that announcement was made. Since Moos made it clear Riley would have the entire season to try to win his job back, Florida has fired Jim McElwain and Tennessee just fired Butch Jones.

Whether talking about Scott Frost, or one of the other up and coming coaches who will be looking to move up this offseason, the sweepstakes are officially on. For better or worse, it appears the Huskers are going to be a part of that sweepstakes.

While it’s true that Moos could be talking to Frost, or Dan Mullen or any other up and comers through their agents while Mike Riley is still on staff, it seems like there is a bit more freedom of movement when there is an official opening. Moos wasn’t wrong when he implied that firing a head coach in the middle of the season tends to breed more uncertainty than positive play.

Those who think that if Riley is going to get fired, he should just do it now have a point as well. Most of the media covering the Huskers wrote their obituary pieces on Riley after Saturday’s loss. At this point, Moos might have a full-on mutiny among the fanbase if Riley was somehow allowed to save his job.

Even if the Cornhuskers managed to win their next two games (both likely considered massive upsets) the drubbing at the hands of Minnesota was a bridge too far. Riley might have been able to save himself if his team had beaten the Golden Gophers and then kept the winning going.

It doesn’t seem like anything saves his position now. The recruits, the other reason it made some sense to leave the head man in charge, have to know what’s coming. Even if some players are still claiming the coaching staff is going to be retained, they can’t possibly think that after yesterday.

Next: One photo shows why Scott Frost staying at UCF is unlikely

With two major programs now actively entering the free agent market, it’s time for the Nebraska football team to join the fold. Even if that means Moos is bowing to public pressure to go back on his own word.