Credit to Matt Rhule, Tony White, Marcus Satterfield and the rest of the Nebraska football coaches. They err on the side of being honest over giving rote answers to important questions.
On the other hand, perhaps Satterfield should have opted for “coach speak” the Tuesday after the Huskers blowout loss to Indiana. What he did say, especially on two very important topics sure didn’t do him any good as talk around the fanbase ramped up about firing him for the second time in two years.
Satterfield strode to the podium on Tuesday morning with a vibe that didn’t exactly seem chastened. Perhaps that was the first sign the Nebraska football OC wasn’t reading the room very well. He seemed to have a little bit of a smirk when he answered most questions.
It was a comment about the running game where things started to spiral. Satterfield said that he has to “commit” to the run game and that he understands that’s important in the Big Ten.
That had some eyebrows raised, but it was the question about yards per play that started to see things make people nervous.
Nebraska football offensive coordinator looks clueless in latest press conference
“Marcus, as a play caller,” one reporter asked. “what's that target number for yards per play that you would aim for that's within reason?”
Satterfield’s answer left a lot to be desired.
“I don't know what that – I honestly don't even know what leads the country in yards per play. What would be a top yard-per- play?” When he was told the Huskers are at 5.5 right now, he responded, “I don't want to lie to you. I don't know what's leading the country, but I want it to be a little bit more than what it is now, for sure.”
One could forgive not knowing what’s first in the country … I guess. But it’s more than a bit concerning that he didn’t know what his own offense was putting up. It’s also a bit concerning he doesn’t have a goal. And most concerning of all was the perceived flippancy when he was talking about both the running game and his offense in general.
It especially doesn’t help when Satterfield has been under fire almost since day one of arriving in Lincoln. And it doesn’t help that he seemed less than dialed in, just a few days after his offense managed just seven points.