
Nebraska's Austin Allen celebrates his touchdown catch with Brenden Jaimes and Ethan Piper against Minnesota on Dec. 12 at Memorial Stadium.
We tried a mailbag Q&A last week, and it worked extremely well. Thank you.Â
So let's make it a regular occurrence. Don't hold back.Â
I know this was a topic in the past, but do you think Bill Moos will step up his retirement plans? After an illustrious start, his stock has dwindled as of late — ongoing men's athletics dismal results, facility hang-ups, and Oklahoma-gate. My vote is for Trev! — Troy P.
The short answer is, no, Moos hasn't stepped up his retirement plans — at least not as of mid-December.
That's when I talked to the fourth-year Nebraska athletic director at length about his future at the school. He said he sees no reason why he wouldn't keep working full-go until the end of his contract, which expires Dec. 31, 2022.
"We're going to move the dial here, and I don't want to be looking at that success from afar," he said. "I have every intention of fulfilling the contract."
Moos, who turned 70 on Jan. 3, believes you don't leave a job until it's done. He approached his work that way in previous AD stints at Washington State, Oregon and Montana. He'll do the same at Nebraska.
Perhaps Trev Alberts someday will get a legitimate crack at the NU job. But such talk is premature at the moment.Â
"Each stop had a little bit different scenarios," Moos said of his AD career. "But I couldn't come back here (to his ranch in eastern Washington) and sit and leave the department on anything but solid footing and in a winning position. It'd drive me crazy."
"We need to get that new building finished," he continued, referring to the $155 million football training facility, set for completion in 2023. "I have nine head coaches who I hired. I want to see all their programs develop and be competitive. I want to see Will Bolt's baseball team be successful. I want to see Fred Hoiberg's magic that he's worked. And, of course, there's football."
If Moos' stock has dwindled in the eyes of some folks, it's mostly because his two high-profile hires — Hoiberg and Scott Frost — have been largely disappointing. Although Frost's struggles are more widely discussed than Hoiberg's, Fred also has been slow to show satisfactory progress. He's 5-34 (.128) in Big Ten play. That is simply a startling stat.Â
But let's face it, Moos made the two hires that essentially everyone wanted.Â
As for Nebraska exploring the possibility of backing out of this coming season's game at Oklahoma, it would be a gross oversimplification to hang that issue solely on Moos. Multiple parties were involved. I've said it before: Moos loves the pageantry of college football. He's a traditionalist to his core. I'm not sure exactly who was leading the charge to "explore the possibilities" of replacing the OU game with a home game, but it would absolutely shock me if it was Moos.Â
In other words, it would be misguided to use "Oklahoma-gate" as a reason to downgrade Moos. Same goes for using "facility hang-ups." That would be another oversimplification. Plus, he says NU is close to hitting its fundraising goals for the new training facility and hopes to begin breaking ground this summer.Â
Moos has had to steer his department through a pandemic. Although it's created immense challenges, putting heat on him strikes me as odd. Â
What are your thoughts on Arizona having its spring practices open to media and fans? Could it work here? Should Frost try it? — Dave F.
Jedd Fisch is in his first year as Arizona's head coach. Opening up practices is a good way for a new coach — or perhaps a struggling coach — to ingratiate himself to media and fans. That usually makes sense. But it usually wears off in time.
Former Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan in the spring of 2004 opened up practices to media as he embarked on his first year in charge. We could watch them in their entirety, then a novel experience at NU. We saw a ton of interceptions that spring, by the way, so many that at one point I thought they were doing an interception drill. But it was extremely beneficial in terms of understanding the program. And if opening up practice was detrimental to the operation, Callahan never expressed it.
Should Frost open up spring practice to media? I think it would be a good idea, but I'm slightly biased. Opening up a couple of practices to fans probably would be a nice (and doable) goodwill gesture.
Media will be able to attend all 15 of Arizona's spring practices, and the plan is to allow a to-be-determined number of fans.
If Nebrasketball doesn’t make the NCAA Tournament in ________ years, Hoiberg is out — Brendan.Â
Wow, tough crowd. I can think of at least a few head coaches — Rick Pitino and Billy Donovan come to mind — who would have Nebraska winning in the NCAA Tournament in three or four years if given the chance. You could bank on it. Hoiberg should at the very least have NU in the Dance in Year Four. After all, he had Iowa State in the Sweet 16 in his fourth year at Iowa State (2013-14).Â
The likelihood Nebraska leaves the B1G and goes back to the Big 12? — Matt B.Â
I've covered Nebraska football in both leagues. There's no doubt NU is a better fit culturally and philosophically in the Big 12. It's obviously a better fit geographically.
The fact the Huskers have essentially lost the state of Texas in recruiting is a hindrance.Â
Damn, how I miss autumn weekends in Austin and College Station.Â
Waco might as well be the Caribbean compared to West Lafayette.
Unfortunately, Nebraska moving back to the Big 12 in the near future is an extreme long shot, and "Oklahoma-gate" didn't help NU's chances any.Â
How much info have you gotten on the changes to the Husker offense going into 2021? Are we changing anything/going back to the older "Nebraska style," or are things staying the same? — Theodore R.
No inside info, my amigo. But Frost was Oregon's offensive coordinator in 2014 and 2015 when Royce Freeman (5-foot-11, 231 pounds) rushed 535 times for 3,201 yards (5.98 per carry) and 35 TDs. Frost's offense has the capability of generating yards in a power run game. USC transfer Markese Stepp is 6-foot and 235 pounds. Just sayin'.
Photos: Our favorite staff images from the 2020 Nebraska football season

Illinois' Alec McEachern (46) and Nebraska's Niko Cooper (32) reach for a fumble on a kickoff return in the second quarter Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) throws an interception under pressure from Illinois' Khalan Tolson (45) in the first quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) and Cam Taylor-Britt (5) walk off the field after the Huskers' 41-23 loss to Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey gets his helmet twisted around by Illinois' Roderick Perry (96) in the second half Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is lifted up by teammate Bryce Benhart after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Nebraska coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers onto the field to take on Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Nebraska cornerback Dicaprio Bootle (7) celebrates his second-quarter interception with teammate Cam Taylor-Britt against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.Â

Iowa's Terry Roberts (22) dives on a fumbled punt return by Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) in the fourth quarter Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras gets off a third-quarter pass as Nebraska's Garrett Nelson (44) and Luke Reimer (28) pressure him Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Nebraska's Wan’Dale Robinson rushes against Iowa's Jack Campbell (31) in the second half Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez reaches for the high snap in the first quarter against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Nebraska coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out to the field against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws under pressure from Iowa's Joe Evans (13) in the second quarter Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez and the Husker offensive line push toward the goal line on Martinez's 1-yard touchdown run against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with his players during a first-half timeout against Iowa last November at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) gets pressured by Nebraska's Ben Stille on a fourth-down play, throwing an incomplete pass to turn it over to the Huskers in the final moments of the game Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Luke McCaffrey (7) and Wan’Dale Robinson (1) celebrate after the Huskers' win over Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford. Williams recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford before recovering the fumble and returning it for a touchdown in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Collin Miller (31) celebrates after Ben Stille (right) tackled Penn State quarterback Will Levis (left) to give the Huskers the ball on downs in the fourth quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Ben Stille (95) and Ty Robinson walk off the field after the Huskers' 30-23 win over Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.Â

Nebraska kicker Connor Culp sends a ball through the uprights for a fourth-quarter field goal against Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Will Honas (3) tackles Penn State's Pat Freiermuth (87) in the fourth quarter on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost instructs the team during a timeout on Nov. 14, 2020, against Penn State at Memorial Stadium.Â

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) gets the snap from center Cameron Jurgens (51) as running back Ronald Thompkins (25) and Ethan Piper look to block against Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) runs back a punt as he avoids the tackle of Penn State's Daequan Hardy in the first half Nov. 14 at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. Williams recovered the fumble and scored.

Nebraska's Noa Pola-Gates (facing) hugs senior Marquel Dismuke (9) after the Huskers' 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska senior Dicaprio Bootle (7) hugs fellow senior Marquel Dismuke (left) as JoJo Domann looks on after the Huskers' 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

A third-quarter pass from Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is batted by Minnesota's Rashad Cheney on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Protected by the offensive line, Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) has the time to throw in the second quarter against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Husker fan cutouts fill the North Stadium stands before the team takes on Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out onto a nearly empty stadium before taking on Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (left) defends a pass intended for Penn State's Jahan Dotson in the fourth quarter on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Collin Miller (31) celebrates after Ben Stille (95) tackled Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska fan cutouts are a backdrop for the consecutive sellout sign on Saturday at Memorial Stadium during a Nov. 14, 2020, game against Penn State.

Nebraska safety Myles Farmer (left) is flagged for a facemask call against Illinois' Donny Navarro (86) in the third quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

A worker waits to release balloons after the first Nebraska touchdown against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.Â

Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with junior quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) on the sideline in the third quarter against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

A security guard watches the field among snow-covered cardboard cutouts before a Nebraska-Minnesota football game on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska family members look for their seats before the Huskers host Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska tight end Austin Allen (second right) celebrates his second-quarter TD with teammates against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska's Austin Allen celebrates his touchdown catch with Brenden Jaimes and Ethan Piper against Minnesota on Dec. 12 at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska coach Scott Frost sends quarterback Adrian Martinez back into the game against Minnesota in the second quarter Dec. 12 at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost greets Huskers captain Matt Farniok (71) during Senior Day festivities before the Minnesota game Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

The Nebraska football team is planning to open its April 17 practice to 4,000 fans.