Husker Visit to Colorado a No-Lose Proposition
15 comments so far
November 19, 2007 by
Nebraska’s visit to Colorado carries some stakes. The winner becomes bowl-eligible (and most prognosticators believe the winner will receive a bowl invitation) and the loser stays home. Yet, with all of the drama surrounding the future of Husker football, Nebraska stands to gain whether they win or lose to the Buffaloes.
A win at Colorado would likely give the Huskers their 38th bowl invitation in 39 years. One of the selling points for Nebraska as a destination for recruits is the near certainty that the Huskers will be playing in a bowl each year. That’s likely why Tom Osborne has already said the Huskers would accept a bowl invitation if offered. Lower-tier bowls often cost more to schools in terms of expenses than they net in revenue, so it’s not about dollars and cents. Rather, it’s about extending an enviable record of bowl attendance and rewarding the athletes for their hard work.
On November 24, the day after the Colorado game is played, Tom Osborne is set to meet with head coach Bill Callahan and the Nebraska football staff according to the Omaha World-Herald. If as most Nebraskans anticipate, Callahan is fired at that meeting (or soon after), the lack of bowl activity can allow everyone to focus on the future. No decisions will need to be made regarding which coaches would or would not participate in bowl game preparations nor would there be any need to delay termination of any staff that might participate in the bowl game. The Huskers can start shopping for a new coaching staff openly and immediately. If it brings the next head coach in that much sooner, that’s going to be helpful in salvaging the recruiting class of 2008. It might also provide Nebraska a head start in recruiting coaching talent over programs that haven’t begun coaching searches but might be on the verge of doing so.
Perhaps most importantly, a loss at Colorado is likely to make a head coaching change more palatable to the Husker Nation. Sure, there’s a large contingent of Husker fans who will shed no tears over the termination of Bill Callahan. But if Callahan were to succeed in leading Nebraska to a bowl and his successor were to fail, it would only cause problems for the new staff. Using Kansas State as an example, the best thing that Bill Snyder could have done for Ron Prince was to lower expectations by missing out on a bowl for two straight seasons. Imagine the hot water Prince would be in now if Snyder had continued to win 11 games a season before he retired. The lower the baseline, the easier it is to make steady progress. Mark Mangino only earned a sixth year coaching Kansas because he was coaching at Kansas. With his early record, he’d be lucky to last three seasons at Nebraska. The next coach at Nebraska won’t need to win ten games next year. If the Huskers finish 5-7 this year, then a 6-6 finish next year would constitute progress.
In fact, the only scenario under which the Colorado game nets out as a total loss would be if Osborne decided to keep Callahan as head coach after a 5-7 finish. That would seem about as likely as Barry Switzer becoming Nebraska’s next governor. But if Osborne wanted to save $3 million and give Nebraska time to find its next athletic director before hiring a new head coach, he’d probably need that bowl invitation in his pocket to sell it to the Husker Nation. Despite Osborne’s enormous credibility in Nebraska, even he would have trouble selling 5-7 to a torch-wielding mob of Husker fans.
All of this nets out to a very peaceful feeling going into the game. Coach Hawkins and CU fans can sweat the impact of the game on the future of Colorado football. Husker fans can relax content in the knowledge that regardless of the outcome on the field, things will look brighter for Nebraska once the clock ticks to zero. That’s something to be thankful for this holiday week.
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Andrew Nov 19 07
Shouldn't we feel a little bad talking about somebody's job like we do? I mean the guy has kids, he obviously likes working here, and he definitely works hard. I just feel a little bad talking about something this important in some mans life like it is a foregone conclusion.
Scott Schreiner Nov 19 07
Callahan knew of the expectations coming into this job. If I was getting paid as much as he does work wouldn't seem all that bad as long as things were tolerable. Things didn't work out for him in Oakland either. The same things goes on at our own work places. We are constantly being evaluated by our peers and our supervisors. Being in the profession that coaches are, they know they are under the microscope, more so here at Nebraska. Yes, he works hard as do the other members of the coaching staff. But just like any job, results are what keeps your job. This program needed progress and 5-6 at this point isn't progress.
It is unfortunate that the coaches kids have to put up with the crap from people who call themselves fans. It one thing to have an opinion about a coach's performance, but to threaten him and his family is uncalled for in every way. There is no place for that in this sport.
Husker Mike Nov 19 07
I'm not sure Bill Callahan really likes coaching at Nebraska all that much. Look at the comments that were made by his agent recently or that he made after his first season. Or the comments that he allegedly made about the state in the new book by Doak. When I have listened to coach Callahan talk about Nebraska, I get the feeling he's saying words and not really meaning it.
Instead, I think Bill Callahan really loves coaching. Nebraska is just the place he's currently doing it. It is very unfortunate that some fans are taking it out on the families of this staff. The only thing this staff is guilty of is not doing a very good job; the families of these coaches have absolutely nothing to do with that. The coaches will likely move on and learn from their mistakes. The families are going to have to leave their friends and uproot their lives; this is tough enough on them without having to deal with garbage from fans.
doombob Nov 19 07
What Bill Callahan really wants is Madden '08 or NCAA Football '08 from EA Sports. Just wants to tell people what to do on the field with no repercussions for his actions or antics. Except he doesn't want to play on All Madden level. And he wants to create a team from scratch using the "Dynasty" template.
Joe Nov 19 07
You're right Andrew, I'm sure the Callahan household will be devastated. They're probably be lots of crying....all the way to the bank to cash their 3 million dollar severance check.
bnahusker Nov 19 07
There can be no sympathy for self inflicted wounds. He isn't one of us, and doesn't want to be, or be like on of us. The NFL attitude of his won't fly any better here than it seems to not be flying in South Bend.
GBR
Stomp Colorado!
Joseppi Nov 19 07
Why does this debate have only two basic options? -- to either fire Callahan or retain him and play wait and see if things might get better?
As many people have recognized, Bill Callahan has some very good attributes and he has accomplished some good things, even though the overall win-loss record is obviously extremely disappointing and Callahan certainly has stumbled and failed badly in several ways.
However, firing coaches and *experimenting* with new coaching hires has never been a panacea for any team.
There is an alternative that I have not yet seen anyone else mention, but perhaps ought to be consider. Here it is:
Why not offer to renegotiate Callahan's contract with some of these considerations, features, and provisions:
First, Callahan just might turn out to be an outstanding coach ... if he could be man enough and humble enough to be willing to learn from his mistakes and more important if he would be willing to seek the wise counsel and learn from the exceptional, proven abilities and knowledge of one crusty old Tom Osborne.
Second, if Callahan were to refuse an offer to renegotiate a contract that would give him an opportunity to succeed, such a refusal would demonstrate to all concerned that Callahan is not the kind of person that Nebraska wants as their coach after all. On the other hand, being willing to renegotiate his contract might demonstrate to many in Huskerland that Callahan is worth giving another opportunity.
Third, renegotiated terms could now be restructured to include much more in the way of performance incentives (in several areas) than probably exist in the current contract.
Fourth, going forward on the basis of a renegotiated contract with more clearly spelled out performance incentives and stipulations would lay down a foundation for either satifactory results or a termination that very few would question.
ze bop Nov 19 07
"...The next coach at Nebraska won’t need to win ten games next year. If the Huskers finish 5-7 this year, then a 6-6 finish next year would constitute progress..."
NE Fan will complain with anything fewer than 9-10 wins, no matter what the circumstances.
Brian Kelly has won about 8 games already as a first year coach at Cinci, with a new QB(Mauk) in a new system. The cupboard was not bare otherwise.
This is what will be expected from a new coach or it's like, 'why bother'?
Jason Nov 19 07
Joseppi,
I applaud you for trying to come up with alternative solutions.
I believe he already has clauses in his contract to receive bonuses for division titles, conference titles, bowl games, BCS games, etc.
What type of new incentives do you think it would take to make an impact in the performance of the team on the field?
Dwayne Nov 19 07
ze bop,
I disagree. I am a Nebraska fan. I will not complain with anything less than 9 or 10 wins. It is what is in the substance of those games that matters to me and what I will complain about. Understand what a Nebraska fan desires.
BIGRED Nov 19 07
Callahan does not deserve any more time than he has already wasted in this program. He has done everything except burn the stadium down. I hate how it is always everyone else's fault, and all of the accomplishments are because of the coaching. If you can't get seniors to come out and play on the field in LINCOLN, then you need to pack your bags. We need a coach who will get these kids to run through walls for them.
ze bop Nov 20 07
Dwayne,
Well, I think that puts you in the vast minority of NE Fan....
Dwayne Nov 20 07
ze,
That could be, but it also seems that the people that do constantly complain about coaches and players appear to always be the loudest. I've talked to a few people and heard a few on the radio and they seem to think the same, but it's also hard not to hear the squeaky wheel. I honestly feel competition is what people are looking for. All the other stuff will fall into place. With Callahan, you have to look at the overall picture. I believe the state paper sums it up real well. But in reading that, you also have to look at the positives he's brought, even if you think they may be few and far between.
Jason Nov 20 07
Dwayne,
I believe you're referring to this article by the State Paper: Ten Failures of the Callahan Era.
They also ran Ten Triumphs of the Callahan Era.
Both are well written and worth a read.
cvldfg Nov 20 07
Joseppi,
It's nice that calmer heads are suggesting alternatives, but in total, Callahan and his attitude, smarmyness(just made that up), etc.... and all-around lack of respect for who we are and what the state is all about is more than enough reasons to not bring him back.
Besides, his offensive schemes are so common now, that we can find many coaches, without his flaws, to take over the offense.
And, if i've said it once, i've said it a million times. You win with Defense first. We NEED a defensive minded guy to lead this program along with someone who desires to be one of us and not just for the money.