
When it comes to pressure — the pressure to win now — Erik Chinander proceeds with an excellent mindset.
“Like I’ve said before, I think pressure’s a privilege,” he says.
I admit that I hadn’t heard him say that previously. I miss some things, obviously. At any rate, as we talked about pressure to win and several other topics during an interview Friday morning in his Memorial Stadium office, it was clear the fifth-year Nebraska defensive coordinator knows the score at the moment. It’s time for NU to win at a much higher rate. Yes, the heat’s on. After all, the Huskers finished 3-9 last season, and NU coach Scott Frost is just 15-29 at the school.
Frost now oversees a restructured offensive staff that’s preparing for the Feb. 28 start of spring practice. Meanwhile, Chinander’s defensive staff underwent only minor offseason changes. That doesn’t mean there isn’t pressure on Chinander. Of course there is, and he wouldn’t want it any other way.
“You want to be at a place where there’s pressure,” he says. “You don’t want to be someplace where nobody cares and being average is good enough. That’s not where you ever want to be. Not in this deal.”
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Nebraska’s defense loses six of its top 10 tacklers from last season — JoJo Domann, Cam Taylor-Britt, Marquel Dismuke, Deontai Williams, Ben Stille and Damion Daniels. Yeah, that could cause a defensive coordinator some stress. The Husker defense must do some serious rebuilding in the interior of the line and in the secondary. So, Chinander has plenty to think about as spring ball approaches.
As for the pressure, bring it on, he says.
I love it. Love his response.
Pressure is indeed a privilege. One could say that about a lot of areas of life.
“But that’s not for everybody, and it’s OK,” says Chinander, 42, understanding that some people respond to pressure better than others.
Bottom line, “I want to be around people who embrace pressure. When we recruit guys and hire coaches — I know there are a lot of people who think they know a lot about who to hire and who to recruit — but I just know I want to be around guys who believe what I believe in and think the same way that I do. Those guys who don’t think pressure’s a privilege, I really don’t want to be around them.
“I mean, you don’t think Nick Saban feels pressure?”
Of course the Alabama coach does. If the Crimson Tide were to lose three games in a season, people would say Saban is losing his touch. Along those lines, think about this: Ohio State coach Ryan Day was a Rose Bowl loss to Utah away from facing serious heat this offseason. The Buckeyes prevailed 48-45, avoiding a third loss in the 2021 season. Three losses at OSU? That would create intense pressure for Day and his staff.
Nebraska is trying to get back into the realm where three losses creates enormous pressure. It’s a long way from there, obviously. But still, there’s pressure to win now at dear ol’ NU. Frost recently hired four new full-time assistants on offense to try to spark his program. As for Chinander’s side of the ball, he lost defensive line coach Tony Tuioti to Oregon, but that’s it. Last season’s outside linebackers coach, Mike Dawson, will now coach the outside backers (edge rushers) and defensive line. Not much change there.
Chinander’s side of the ball benefits from continuity. Secondary coach Travis Fisher and inside linebackers coach Barrett Ruud both are in their fifth years at Nebraska. Dawson’s in his fourth (he spent 2019 with the New York Giants).
No question, continuity matters. Continuity on the coaching staff once was a staple of Nebraska’s program. Tom Osborne, the Hall of Fame former Husker coach, often espouses its benefits, and Chinander understands why.
“Our offense right now is putting in a new system,” he says. “Those guys are trying to get terminology down, and all those sorts of things. We’re just working on small details.”
That’s a major difference.
“The little things are everything, as we all know, and the little things add up to very big things,” Chinander says. “How can we tweak things to make the defense that much better? What verbiage can we use to help these kids? How do we get them to completely understand exactly what we need to do? Do we need to pull something in coverage? There are little, tiny things that can make a huge difference. But we don’t have new guys (on the defensive staff). We don’t have to start the process over.”
Chinander must be doing something right. He recently received a raise, his salary bumping up $50,000 to $850,000. It’s true his defense has steadily improved since 2018, and the 2021 season was the best yet, as Nebraska allowed 22.7 points per game and 366 yards. Both of those marks were near the middle of the Big Ten pack, but the scoring defense was tied for 36th nationally. That’s good, not great.
Make no mistake, Chinander wants more from his guys, especially when it comes to sacks and turnovers — one more apiece per game would mean a lot, he says.
The new energy in the program could help matters. For what it’s worth, Chinander likes the vibe he feels throughout the program in offseason workouts, from both staff members and players.
I think increased urgency also can mean a lot to the program. We all know Frost’s back is to the wall. That means there’s pressure throughout the program. It’s a good kind of pressure, Chinander says. You can see the excitement in his eyes. He’s clearly comfortable in his skin, and comfortable in his role. He’s exactly where he wants to be.
Pressure’s indeed a privilege. That’s just a wonderful message for all of us.
Keeping up with the transfer portal. Here’s who the Huskers have coming to Lincoln
Casey Thompson, QB

Previous school: Texas
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: Thompson is the most notable transfer Nebraska has added so far because of the position he plays. He started 10 games for the Longhorns last year and led the Big 12 in touchdown passes with 24. He’ll be considered the favorite to win NU’s starting quarterback job under new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. He’ll be on campus for this semester.
Associated Press file photo
Chubba Purdy, QB

Previous school: Florida State
Remaining eligibility: Four years
Of note:
Purdy started one game in 2020 and appeared in three overall, completing 27-of-53 passes for 219 yards, a pair of touchdowns and an interception. He appeared just once in 2021 — Purdy completed all five of his passes for 98 yards and two scores.
Associated Press file photo
Trey Palmer, WR/Returner

Previous school: LSU
Remaining eligibility: Two years plus a redshirt
Of note: Palmer was a blue-chip recruit out of high school and saw his role steadily grow over his three years in Baton Rouge. Now, he’ll rejoin Mickey Joseph in Lincoln. Palmer can really run — he was timed at 10.42 in the 100 meters and 21.11 seconds in the 200 — and he’s also a dangerous return man. He profiles well in the spot vacated by Samori Toure and will be on campus this semester.
Associated Press file photo
Hunter Anthony, OL

Previous school: Oklahoma State
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: The Oklahoma native entered 2020 as OSU’s starting right tackle, but an injury cost him most of the season. Then he served as a backup this fall. In Lincoln, the 6-foot-6, 330-pounder will be a candidate both at right tackle and at either guard spot. He’s on campus this semester.
Associated Press file photo
Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, WR

Previous school: New Mexico State
Remaining eligibility: Two years plus a redshirt
Of note: Garcia-Castaneda had a productive season at NMSU, catching 37 passes for 578 yards and four touchdowns. He was coveted as soon as he hit the transfer portal, but NU visited him in California and got him on campus for a visit in December. At 6-foot and 190 pounds, Garcia-Castaneda is a candidate for any spot in the Husker receiver rotation under Mickey Joseph.
Clark Grell
Brian Buschini, P

Previous school: Montana
Remaining eligibility: Three years
Of note: Buschini was named the FCS punter of the year after averaging better than 47 yards per punt and more than 44 net yards per attempt. He was considered perhaps the best punter available on the transfer market this winter and will be counted on right away in Lincoln. He’s on campus this semester.
MONTANA ATHLETICS
Timmy Bleekrode, K

Previous school: Furman
Remaining eligibility: Three years
Of note: Bleekrode immediately becomes the favorite to handle place-kicking duties after he was recruited from Furman by new special teams coordinator Bill Busch. The Atlanta native made 15-of-18 field goals in 2021 with a long of 51 yards and is 21-of-25 over the past two seasons.
Furman Athletics
Kevin Williams, OL

Previous school: Northern Colorado
Remaining eligibility: Two years
Of note: Williams, an Omaha North graduate, is a multi-year starter at the FCS level and began the 2021 season as the Bears’ starting left tackle. He’s got positional versatility and could be a candidate at tackle or guard for the Huskers in 2022. In a young room overall, he adds a veteran presence.
Tommy Hill, DB

Previous school: Arizona State
Remaining eligibility: Three years plus a redshirt
Of note: Nebraska loved Hill out of high school in Orlando in the 2021 class, but he ended up at ASU and earned playing time right away. The Huskers jumped on him as soon as he entered the portal, and now he’ll compete for playing time in a secondary that must replace three starters. He’s on campus this semester.
Associated Press file photo
Contact the writer at ssipple@journalstar.com or 402-473-7440. On Twitter @HuskerExtraSip.
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