Nebraska legend Clester Johnson is not holding back. The former wingback, a key contributor to two of Tom Osborne’s national championship teams, recently joined the Common Fan podcast to deliver some «unfiltered truth» about the state of Husker football—past, present, and future.
The Accountability Gap Reflecting on the recent failures of the program, Johnson addressed the elephant in the room: the Scott Frost era. While he, like many, was excited about Frost’s homecoming, Johnson expressed deep frustration with how things unraveled.
He called out the «culture of protection» where personalities were prioritized over the standard of excellence.
According to Johnson, the slide deepened because people inside and around the program—including former players—stopped holding the staff accountable to the «Nebraska Way» that Osborne instilled.
The Matt Rhule Era: No More Resets Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Johnson was candid about head coach Matt Rhule. While there is still belief that Rhule is the man to turn the ship around, Johnson made it clear that 2026 is a massive year where «real progress» is the only acceptable outcome.
«This season has to look like progress. Real progress. Not spin. Not promises. Not another reset,» Johnson emphasized. For a fan base coming off back-to-back 7-6 seasons, his words echo the sentiment of a stadium tired of «moral victories.»
Tom Osborne’s Shadow Johnson also shared nostalgic stories about playing under Tom Osborne, describing the legendary coach’s ability to challenge players without ever raising his voice. It is that standard of accountability that Johnson believes is finally being rebuilt, but the results must now show up on the scoreboard.