Before Osborne won all of those championships, I remember how the big money donors were growing unhappy with him. They felt the game had passed him by and that Nebraska couldn't get its hands on the players it needed to win the big games. Osborne never changed his philosophy. The only thing that changed was the quality of players on the sidelines. In my opinion, the 1995 team in particular was one of the most stacked teams in college football history. What we need is a coach like Osborne who thinks about the big picture and gets the players he needs to implement his vision.
Never changed philosophy? So revamping the defense in the early 90s by going to a 4-3. Making corners safeties. Making safeties linebackers and making linebackers de's wasnt a change in philosophy? Influxing the defensive side of the ball with necessary speed and athletes to not only compete with, but later dominate the upper tier programs around the country isnt a change in philosophy? Putting a dedication to strength and conditioning, nutritition and psychology (unity council)to not only offset locational shortcomings and being the most innovative program in such fields, but create huge intangible advantage isnt changing philosphy.
Those teams in the 90's had no more overall talent in relation to the rest of the country than any other Osborne teams. The program just "had its sh#t together". Osborne had a line in the sand moment in 1990. I thought Bo had his last November. I thought wrong.
Read this. you'll know exactly what i'm talking about.
It explains how there was a massive shift in culture and philosphy on numerous levels within the Nebraska program in the early 90's, leading to the most dominate perioud in the history of the game.