Donavon Raiola

L

longtimer

Well-Known Member
Nebraska offensive line coach and uncle of the Raiola boys. There is talk that he wanted a raise from an already ridiculous salary and Rhule said no. And now plans to package both Kids and hit the road for greener pastures ($$$). Just unsubstantiated rumors but the kind I like
Nebraska and Rhule are kind of in a precarious spot. He has a lousy class coming in and if flops in the portal could all be interesting if not entertaining
And that after they gave him a big extension

No way we want any of the Raiola
 


I’ve seen rumors stating similar things. What is sickening to me is that it seems they are dictating where they want these kids to go rather than just letting the kids go off on their own and set their own legacy. It’s has always happened it just seems to be increasing. it’s gross when they make the kid’s journey their own. They had their chance time to back off.
 




We don't know the family dynamics here at all. Maybe they are tight knit and understand that negotiating as a group will raise the price for everyone. Clearly, the Uncle has the least amount of actual leverage just as a run of the mill OL coach, but if he has both boys in his pocket, then he has a lot to bargain with. I am finding it amusing that Donovan is doing this to his alma mater. Then again, this sort of leverage will never come around again.
 


NorthKCHawk said:
We don't know the family dynamics here at all. Maybe they are tight knit and understand that negotiating as a group will raise the price for everyone. Clearly, the Uncle has the least amount of actual leverage just as a run of the mill OL coach, but if he has both boys in his pocket, then he has a lot to bargain with. I am finding it amusing that Donovan is doing this to his alma mater. Then again, this sort of leverage will never come around again.
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Most nebraska fans I know hate Donnie pretty bad, they've definitely regressed in OL play each year that he's been here.

Rob Zatechka has a pretty good analysis of it on the latest Doc Talk pod. Highly recommend that podcast, he's one of the very few level-headed huskers out there. Has a lot of respect for Iowa and a lot of credibility on what he says being a trophy winner at his position and playing on a national champ team. Doesn't buy in at all to the typical "at least we have natty trophies" bullshit you hear from most of them. He knows they suck, they've sucked for a long time, and really wants his team to get better. I can respect that.

Zatechka is not a fan of Donnie and thinks it's time for him to move on. That would also probably mean his nephew moves on but 1) I think that's probably going to happen anyway, and 2) I don't think he's head and shoulders better than Lateef. They're just different and in fairness to Lateef the guy got absolutely thrown to the wolves.
 


Also, I follow the huskers to an unhealthy level and nowhere have I seen anyone say Donnie will be sought after as a coach. He's below average and most of the consensus says it was mostly a deal where nebraska wanted Dylan eventually (way worse than his uncle) and that's the main reason he came aboard. I think this is Donnie's last rodeo in P4 football.

He also loves to talk about his 5 year NFL career, but the guy played half of exactly one game in 2010 when the Bucs' center got hurt.
 


Fryowa said:
Most nebraska fans I know hate Donnie pretty bad, they've definitely regressed in OL play each year that he's been here.

Rob Zatechka has a pretty good analysis of it on the latest Doc Talk pod. Highly recommend that podcast, he's one of the very few level-headed huskers out there. Has a lot of respect for Iowa and a lot of credibility on what he says being a trophy winner at his position and playing on a national champ team. Doesn't buy in at all to the typical "at least we have natty trophies" bullshit you hear from most of them. He knows they suck, they've sucked for a long time, and really wants his team to get better. I can respect that.

Zatechka is not a fan of Donnie and thinks it's time for him to move on. That would also probably mean his nephew moves on but 1) I think that's probably going to happen anyway, and 2) I don't think he's head and shoulders better than Lateef. They're just different and in fairness to Lateef the guy got absolutely thrown to the
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Agreed, I don't think Riola was that much better that he impacts the game that much. Phil normally schemes very well against Nebby. IF anything both Riola and Lateef bring different skill sets. Riola would have likely been sacked several times where Lateef extended a few plays with his feet until he got banged up.

I did not see Iowa dial up any blitzes for the most part unlike other games either. It seemed we were successful staying in our base for most of the game. I also thought when Entinger went out, Godfrey Jr. stepped in and made some big hits (I still think he stopped the TE/QB on 4th and 1). Watson played fairly clean too. Nebby has some wideouts that can fly.
 


I think Dylan should transfer because he has not gotten any better in his two years at Nebbie. He came in as the #1 recruit. His coach has not put much talent around him except for at RB this year. The OL is below average. Dylan looked the same this year as last year. Sometimes he looks like a high NFL prospect, but his decisionmaking remains questionable and his mechanics break down. I would go somewhere that has a track record for developing NFL QBs. Like a USC. He is going to get paid wherever he goes, but his draft stock is slipping and will continue to slip if he stays at Nebraska. They are going to be worse next year. Lucky to go .500 with or without him.

As for the Uncle, we will see how hitched the nephews are to his wagon. That is his best shot at a new gig somewhere decent.
 


Interesting.. I'm not sure how good a qb would have to be to justify bending to all of their demands but neither of them are. Surely Rhule should just sever those ties and move on... But will he?
 


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