Husker coaches hang with fans at Big Red Blitz

Crowds were down across the state for this year’s Big Red Blitz.
Ten groups of Nebraska coaches and staff members traveled to 20 different locations around the state last week, including an afternoon stop in Imperial June 16.
After a noon stop in Ogallala that saw a crowd of 20, Garrett Klassy, senior deputy athletic director; Joe Petsick, assistant Professor of practice in management in the UNL college of business; Matt Lubick, football offensive coordinator; and Doc Sadler, special assistant to head men’s basketball, traveled to Imperial.
Klassy was the first to address the group of 12 at Broken Arrow Cellars, thanking those in attendance before introducing Sadler.
Sadler, once fired as head basketball coach at Nebraska, said he wouldn’t have returned to the Huskers staff if he didn’t believe in the university.
Sadler said he stands behind Nebraska Head Coach Fred Hoiberg and fans are going to start seeing the things he already knows.
Nebraska’s 2021-2022 season depends on seven returning players, Sadler said, adding if the seniors are competitive, the team will be competitive.
Petsick gave attendees insight on the Huskers’ Name, Image and Likeness plan.
NIL is the new facility war, Petsick said, and the Nebraska fan base is the “secret sauce” that gives Nebraska a leg up in recruiting wars.
Open to all UNL students, when done right, NIL invests in the next 40 years of a student’s life, not just the next four, Petsick said.
One-hour classes are available to all students to learn the ins and outs of branding, marketing and financial literacy, among other aspects.
    With business such as Hudl and Opendorse starting up in Lincoln, Petsick said Lincoln is at the center of the sports data world.
    Petsick also talked about the University of Nebraska Foundation’s Husker Venture Fund which provides start up capital to students and doctorate students in the UNL business department.
    Lubick was the final speaker.
    After playing more first year players than anyone else in the Big Ten last season, Lubick said fans will see improvement on the football field this year.
    With a lot of team–building activities since the 2020 season ended, “it feels like we’re in a good place,” Lubick said.
    “You’ll see a tighter, more cohesive unit,” Lubick added.
    Lubick talked about three running backs who could excel on the team and said coaches were waiting to see which one would step up.
    Attendee Brad Dixon said the Big Ten is tough on one–running–back systems and Nebraska will need all three to  contribute.
    Nebraska has relied too heavily on its quarterback, Dixon added.
    Transfers came up in the questions from the crowd, as well.
    Coaches can be honest but can’t control a guy, Lubick said.
    “It starts with bringing the right guys in,” Lubick added.
    Klassy jumped in to help when Lubick received a question about improvements to Memorial Stadium.
    After fundraising is wrapped up for the new athletic facility adjacent to the stadium, Klassy said the athletic department will start looking into improving the fan experience in the stadium, especially the south stadium.
Across the state
Looking out at smaller–than–expected crowds at North Platte and Kearney, Head Football Coach Scott Frost remarked that the smaller crowds tell him he’d better start winning.
Kearney had a crowd of around 60 people in a room that would hold 500.
Norfolk, featuring Matt Davison, Greg Austin, Mike Dawson and Paul Klempa, saw a group of around 40.
Nebraska Volleyball Associate Head Coach Tyler Hildebrand caused a stir in Chadron. Hildebrand responded to a question about middle hitter Lauren Stivrins  by saying she “is coming back.”
To the disappointment of many, Nebraska volleyball officials later said Stivrins is coming back to rehab from back surgery and hasn’t made a decision as to whether she’ll return to the team or not.