Shatel: Huskers could take lessons — and players — from Iowa Western
There is absolutely zero hesitation when you ask Scott Strohmeier how many of his Iowa Western Reivers have gone to Nebraska.
"Never," Strohmeier says.
It looks as if that's about to change.
Strohmeier has built an incredible junior college football program in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Since the start of the program in 2009, Iowa Western is 84-19 with one national junior college championship and a national runner-up. They've sent 112 players to NCAA FBS schools, and over half of that to Power Five schools.
Wisconsin, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Virginia Tech, TCU, West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisville and Oregon all found their way to Iowa Western for help. But the closest FBS program to Council Bluffs could not.
Amazing, huh?
You'd think Bo Pelini or Mike Riley could have used roster help along the way, an offensive lineman to fill in, a linebacker or receiver or even quarterback.
"It's unique," Strohmeier said. "For whatever reason, it hasn't happened. One great player to one coach is maybe something else to another. They've said an offensive lineman didn't have the right flexibility, things like that. That happens."
This was, after all, a program that the one and only Tom Osborne consulted on when it was set up in 2008. Osborne knew a thing or two about juco help. A player named Mike Rozier came to NU and won a Heisman Trophy.
Riley, who inherited some roster holes, never did sign a juco player in three years, but his staff did offer two from Iowa Western. Strohmeier said former Husker assistant John Parrella offered Andrew Van Ginkel (Wisconsin) and former director or player personnel Ryan Gunderson offered Taj Williams (TCU).
Strohmeier said he was "making headway" with Gunderson, who left for San Jose State a year ago.
He won't have to worry about that with Scott Frost's staff, which has already offered a scholarship to Reiver offensive lineman Noah Banks (6-8, 315), according to Strohmeier. On Monday, Banks posted on Twitter that he had been offered by Texas and would visit soon.
"We already have a relationship with a lot of their coaches," Strohmeier said. "I've known Scott since his days at Northern Iowa. I took our staff to visit Oregon when he was there.
"I've known Erik Chinander since he was at Northern Iowa. I've known Ryan Held since he was head coach at Highland (Kan.) Community College and their quarterback coach, Mario (Verduzco), since he was at Northern Iowa."
When I asked if this meant a long-awaited Iowa Western-Nebraska pipeline was about to begin, Strohmeier said, "Hopefully."
It's about time, right?