Shatel: Urban Meyer doesn't fit the 'character' mold that Trev Alberts wants

First downs and second guesses:

Bye week? The Voices From the Grandstand don't believe in it.

“By swinging for the fences _ the program has the resources to do so _ what does a home run hire look like?” - Francisco Serrano.

My definition of a home run is someone who can build this program from the ground, teach it to block and tackle, play hard and hit hard, recruit players to fit the program (not rankings) and return to consistent winning.

Also: a home run hire is someone who understands what he’s getting into and wants to be here.

This could be a crazy next two to three months.

A drawback to this timing is that it will give every athletic director who thinks he has a Nebraska candidate to throw a hefty extension at him.

Trev Alberts may have given a lot of coaches a big raise. Candidates will be erased. Watch for it.

What will be interesting is if any said candidates tell their bosses, “Not now, I’ll get to it after the season.”

As far as timing in early December, it might be right for an NFL coach on the hot seat. Say, Matt Ruhle?

— “Will Trev be able to deal more effectively with the pull and opinions of the administration and big boosters?” — @RED5NC.

I would also add the army of former Husker players who like to have their opinions heard, too.

This is a great topic, Red. It came up last week during our “Pick Six” podcast.

That is, the new coach may come with certain conditions. For instance, can Alberts insulate him from the countless requests from boosters, former players, who want to bend his ear?

What if the head coach just wants to coach. Would that be okay?

I’ll take it a step further: What if the next head coach says he’s doing away with the Blackshirts?

Many associate the Blackshirt tradition with glory days, dominant days. But NU defenses have worn Blackshirts the last 20 years, too.

The Blackshirts represent a lot of losing, too. Including the last four years, when tackling apparently was not a practice habit.

I think some folks get more excited about having the Blackshirts than the reason why they were important.

What’s more important _ Nebraska traditions or a new way of doing things that results in winning football?

Ok, now let’s get back on the road.

— “Is there some guy out there who Nebraska can get that can win another football title at Nebraska?” - Ryan Underwood.

Of course, but understanding that it will be harder when Big Ten divisions go away. The future will become more about making the 12-team playoff.

That said, winning titles is the last thing Nebraska should be thinking about right now.

— “I get that the defensive buck stops with (Erik) Chinander, but is that why he was fired?” _ Bruce Strom.

“What do you believe is reasonable to expect from Bill Busch over the next eight games?” -@Chaz_in_socal.

It’s a good question, Bruce. My hunch is that Myles Farmer’s post-game quote about tagging during practice had something to do with it.

But I think last week’s defensive effort approaches the danger zone. Mickey Joseph said the players kept fighting. But some players didn’t appear to be trying too hard.

This team is in a strange place, four games in.

I think this is a message that maximum effort is going to be expected out of the defense. I don’t know that you learn how to tackle in eight games.

But Busch’s charge is to get them playing as hard as they can, and perhaps a new voice can do that.

— “Do you envision a scenario where Bo Pelini gets invited back with all of these defensive staff changes? _ Arnie Foote.

Arnie, I have a better chance of becoming the next head coach.

— “The strength program has had five years with no apparent gains. Is (Zach) Duvall and his staff under the microscope?” _ Judd Remmers.

First of all, Judd, every one of those players could knock me into next week.

But I think it’s a fair point, although, with the revelation of tagging, you don’t know how much hitting and physical work was getting done in practice. If you don’t practice physically, it's very hard to play physically.

The microscope will shift in two months. The majority of coaches bring their own strength staffs.

— “A lot of buzz about Urban Meyer as next coach. Your thoughts.” _ huskerk1960.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on Sunday that Meyer is expected to stay at Fox Sports and not return to coaching.

This was a no-shot, as far I’m concerned. Meyer didn’t fit the “character” mold that Alberts wants.

And while Meyer won big at Florida and Ohio State, those programs were loaded with players when he took over. No way Meyer would want to start a massive rebuild that NU requires.

Nebraska doesn’t need a big name and it’s not going to contend for a national title anytime soon. It needs to be built the right way, brick by brick.

— “How emotionally strong is this team right now?” - @savedbygrace005.

Ask me again after the Indiana game. That’s a must-win to keep the season from collapsing. There will be a lot of work done this week building team morale.

— “My guess is Mickey gets a couple of years beyond 2022 to at least turn the ship around because he is so well-respected. Irrational or rational?” _ Mike Levitan.

Not irrational. But also not likely.

Let’s say this: Joseph will get every chance to win the job. The problem is, much time now needs to be spent keeping players invested and teaching them fundamentals, urgency, etc.

Alberts wants to bring someone in to build NU from the bottom _ beginning in December.

Can Joseph show that he’s the guy to do that in two months? Plus, win some games? That’s part of the impression he makes.

Mickey is the MVP of the staff. He’s a guy you want in the program. Even if he doesn’t get the gig, I believe Alberts will try to keep him around with a title, money, etc., but the new coach has to agree, too.

One more and I’m outta here: A hearty congrats to my nephew, Marc Marean, and his new bride, Amariah. And a shout-out to the Roca Berry Farm for hosting their wedding on Sunday.

A scenic place to escape _ and I needed to escape.