Highs and Lows of the Callahan Era
12 comments so far
November 26, 2007 by
The Bill Callahan era of Nebraska football was a roller coaster ride for Husker fans. He was hired amid the controversy of Frank Solich's firing, installed an offense that changed the Cornhuskers' on-field identity, and was fired after failing to meet expectations in his fourth season.
Let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit the highs and lows of the Callahan era.
2004: Callahan's First Year as Head Coach
January 9, 2004: Former Oakland Raiders head coach, Bill Callahan, named head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
April 17, 2004: Over 61,000 fans attend the spring game to catch their first glimpse of Nebraska running Callahan's west coast offense.
August 31, 2004: Four days before his first game as NU's coach:
We don't take what a defense gives us. We take what we want.
October 9, 2004: In Callahan's fifth game as head coach, the Huskers allow 70 points against Texas Tech, the most points ever scored against the Huskers in their 114 year history.
November 13, 2004: While being booed when walking off the field in Norman, Callahan calls Sooner fans "F--ing Hillbillies."
November 26, 2004: After the Huskers lose their third straight game, 26-20 to Colroado at Memorial Stadium:
It was one game today. One season.
The Cornhuskers finish 5-6, their first losing season since 1961. For the first time in 35 years, Nebraska fails to appear in a bowl game.
2005: Alamo Bowl Victory
February 14, 2005: Rivals.com ranks Nebraska's recruiting class fifth best in the nation.
October 29, 2005: Callahan makes a "throat slashing" gesture to an offical during the Oklahoma game and is later reprimanded by the Big 12.
December 28, 2005: Nebraska defeats No. 20 Michigan in the Alamo Bowl and finishes the season 8-4. The Wolverines are the highest-ranked opponent that NU has beaten since a 20-10 win over No. 2 Oklahoma in 2001.
2006: Big 12 North Title Run
November 11, 2006: A 28-27 victory over Texas A&M marks the Huskers' first-ever road win over a Big 12 South team.
November 24, 2006: NU defeats Colorado 34-14 in Lincoln and claims the Big 12 North title for the first time since 1999.
December 4, 2006 The Huskers run 41 plays in Oklahoma territory but lose the Big 12 Championship game 21-7:
I'm just upset at myself for that particular performance. I don't think our fans deserve it. Our fans waited a long time for that (game), and I apologize to them.
January 2, 2007: Auburn beats NU 17-14 in the Cotton Bowl, the Huskers' fourth loss of the season by a total of 33 points to top-10 competition:
We're getting there. And it won't be long, believe me.
2007: The Decline and Fall
May 2007: The Husker football program is one of 34 teams honored nationwide by the American Football Coaches Association with its 2007 Academic Achievement Award. Nebraska has earned the award seven straight seasons and is recognized for graduating 70 percent or more of its football studen-athletes from the freshman class of 2001-02.
June 4, 2007: Bill Callahan hosts his fourth annual Football 101 clinic at Memorial Stadium. In four years, Coach Callahan Charities raises over $200,000 for breast cancer research.
September 4, 2007: Bill Callahan's contract is extended through 2009 with an annual compensation of $1.5 million.
September 15, 2007: USC dominates the Huskers 49-31 in Lincoln in front of a nation-wide television audience.
October 15, 2007: Athletic Director Steve Pederson is fired and replaced on an interim basis by former head coach, Tom Osborne.
October 23, 2007: In the wake of NU's third consecutive Big 12 loss:
I've done an excellent job in every area.
November 3, 2007: The Cornhuskers give up 76 points to Kansas, the most points ever scored against the Huskers in their 117-year football history. This is the first time since 1958 that Nebraska has lost 5 consecutive games.
November 10, 2007: Nebraska racks up 73 points against the Kansas State Wildcats. QB Joe Ganz produces one of the best individual offensive performances in school history with 528 yards of total offense.
November 20, 2007: Fifteen NU players are named to the 2007 Academic All-Big 12 football team, the third most in the league.
November 24, 2007: Less than 24 hours after a 65-51 loss to Colorado, Osborne announces that Bill Callahan's contract will not be renewed for the following season.
Bill Callahan's Record at Nebraska
| Season | Record | Rank | Bowl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5-6 | NR | None |
| 2005 | 8-4 | 24th | Defeated Michigan (Alamo Bowl) |
| 2006 | 9-5 | NR | Lost to Auburn (Cotton Bowl) |
| 2007 | 5-7 | NR | None |
| Overall | 27-22 | (.551) |
| Record | Versus |
|---|---|
| 26-21 | Division I Teams |
| 3-10 | AP Ranked Teams |
| 0-7 | AP Top 10 Teams |
| 15-18 | Big 12 Teams |
| 3-10 | Big 12 South Teams |
| 25-2 | When Nebraska leads at half |
| 0-17 | When Nebraska trails at half |
| 2-0 | In Overtime Games |
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Jason Nov 26 07
It's a little difficult to sum up the last four years in bullet point fashion, but if you think I missed any major milestones (positive or negative), point them out and I may add it.
ze bop Nov 26 07
Good synopsis!
You might have included the infamous 'stupidest team in America' quote from his days at the Raidas. That's always a crowd pleaser amongst Husker Fans.
Personally, I think the few 'transgressions' Calli has made are really of no significance.
The guy did alot of charitable work in addition to coaching.
Andrew Nov 26 07
Not a bad guy, just did not get the wins that it takes to stay at Nebraska. Enough said, Bo will be the next head coach, probably named at a team meeting tomorrow!
OU7times Nov 26 07
I hope you guys get Bo.
James Moore Nov 26 07
I don't know why and I'm sure somebody will tee off on me for saying it, but for some reason I feel sorry for him. The body language, some of the pictures of him this past week, and other moments where he just looks alone, and completely wiped out. There were plenty of times that he ticked all of us off, but I was confident in him after the Alamo Bowl. I think also back to the Texas Tech game in 2005 when LaKevin Smith gets the pick only to fumble it, it could've been a momentum-changing win. Terrence Nunn's fumble on the 3rd & 1 in the Texas game in 2006 to put it away, was another opportunity to get that elusive breakout win. He was close, a couple of times. Fate is powerful, and things get a momentum of their own. I do honestly wish him the best and hope that he is able to get success in some capacity in the football universe. I'd just like to say in parting, thanks Kevin Cosgrove for getting us Joe Ganz. Ganz was just a two-star player according to rivals.com but boy does he look like an absolute winner to me. Proof that hard work, football intelligence, belief in where you are at, and love for that red N on the helmet can take you a long way.
Husker Mike Nov 26 07
I'd argue as a high point the Nevada game when Nebraska dominated a bowl team from the previous year. But by the same manner, I consider the Oklahoma State game a lower point than Kansas. 76 points is ugly to be sure, but being down 38-0 at halftime at home to an unranked team to be about as low as you can go.
ze bop Nov 27 07
Agree with both JM and HM. The OSU game was probably the lowest point for me as well this year: after that I pretty much became resigned to the losing, though it was painful.
I'm still not convinced that a change at DC wouldn't have solved things, but it's hard for any coach to survive this type of year 4 in a high profile progrm.
p.s., WV was about 110 in D LAST year and is currently in the top 12 or so....
scott Nov 27 07
I wish him the best but this is a business and that is exactly how he and Pederson approached this thing. Callahan wouldn't let Cosgrove go because of the "buddy system" and now we're done with your 5-7 record. I have no doubt they tried their best but sometimes trying your best does not give you the desired results.
And before we start annointing Ganz the next great NU QB let's give it a full season against some better competition.
James Moore Nov 27 07
Zebop,
I went to school in WV (played football and basketball) and West Virginia's defensive coordinator was at my school last before he made it to Morgantown. Rich Rodriguez coached at Glenville St., and was running the spread in the mid-90's. WVU's current defensive coordinator, Jeff Casteel, is the ONLY person I've seen slow down that attack. That's why he jumped from D2 defensive coordinator to The Big East, Rodriguez promised him he'd get the job if he ever got the head job in Morgantown. . .
The best part? This guy, no matter what the temperature is, will have Timberland boots, SHORTS, and a big, fat chaw in his mouth all game. Great, great coach. Players will run through a wall for him and ask for more. He doesn't like the 3-3-5 but it's what Rodriguez wants. But the point is to remember the name, Jeff Casteel. He will turn somebody program's around one day when he gets the chance. . .
Scott, not anointing him. Just love seeing people who maximize everything they've been given. But I didn't take it personal either in the event that I sound testy. Got love for all in Husker nation. . .
saunders45 Nov 27 07
I'm not sure of the exact number, but under Callahan we were something like 0-18 when behind at the half.
Jason Nov 27 07
Close Saunders. We were 0-17 when trailing and 25-2 when leading at the half. I updated the last table with some additional random records.
ze bop Nov 27 07
JM,
Interesting rgdg WV and Jeff Casteel. But I think I heard they were about 110 in D last year--probably young players.
I've been though WV and the Smokey Mountains once back in the '80s--is that part of the Appalachians? I currently live in the Berkshire(MA) part of the Appalachians.
Good to know you're an x-jock, you can answer more technical questions!