The Count Nov 15 07

30-3
70-10
41-24
45-21
40-15
41-6
45-14
36-14
76-39

How much proof do we need?

Andrew Nov 15 07

Count,

Thats just proof that we need a better defense. I mean really, I can only think of a couple games where the offense got just shout down. I can think of a lot more games where the defense could not get the other teams offense off the field though.

Steve,

I agree, I just don't want to fire a coach when the going gets tough, give him another year to hang himself.

Grant Nov 15 07

The writing is on the wall. Billy C is gone. As far as giving another year w/ this offense b/c of how good Joe Ganz or any other player is doing...you can always retain the offensive coordinator. I'm not saying that's the answer, but it would appear to be more realistic than keeping Callahan. I'm sorry, you don't keep your job by conducting yourself the way he has.

I have never been on the fire or keep so and so band waggon. It wasn't until Callahan's agent made his comments, that turned the tide for me. That was just the latest in a long string of mistakes made this year by Callahan's mouth. Sure, he's deffensive....who wouldn't be? But, that was completely unprofessional and speaks nothing close to "excellence". Callahan never addressed the comments either...just avoided the topic. What does that say about how he feels? In addition...made a big error in his comments about TO that were published. Calling him a "crusty old ...." you know the rest. Talk about coming back to bite you in the a$$.

Last...I read today Cosgrove received a death threat. I don't think any loss or performance by this team has ever made me feel as sick to my stomach as what I read. I pray they find whoever did it and prosecute his/her a$$ to the extent of the law. That kind of crap is not needed here in NE, and is NOT what we are about.

Off my soapbox.

Husker Mike Nov 15 07

I can name four games this season alone where the offense got shut down:

USC (42-10 2/3rds of the way through the game)
Missouri (41-6)
Oklahoma State (38-0 at halftime)
Texas A&M (37-14)

Bob Nov 15 07

As a displaced Husker in Southwest Missouri, I get to see all of this from a distance. As much as I "Know" that Callahan is as good as gone, I also remember that Osborne doesn't rush into any thing. (Heck, it took Dr. Tom 15 years to use the forward pass as anything other than a 3rd and long prayer.) He just might have the patience, and guts, to keep Bill around. I would recommend that if this happens, that Bill would learn that this program is not about him and, was never about Devaney or Osborne either. It is about the Institution and its relation to the state. It is ours, the citizens (and former citizens) that pour our support, and weekends into the heritage of Husker Nation, the students, and all of those lucky enough to toil on the turf of Memorial Stadium. This entity is bigger than any of us, but will continue to falter as long as we don't focus on solutions. The Blackshirts need to be re-earned, and the head coach needs a lesson in humility (Not humiliation). So long as Callahan acts like a boss, and not a leader, the choice seems obvious. I don't envy Dr. Toms' position at this point, and it might not hurt things if we all cooled our jets just a bit.

GO BIG RED!

AustinHusker Nov 15 07

I am not in favor of keeping Callahan but I have never been a Callahan hater, Peterson yes but not Callahan. I think he has done some good things. The recruiting is much better than it has been or maybe ever was.

But the record is only a part of it. Why can you get a team up to play Kansas State but not the number 8 team in the nation when you go to Kansas. he just cant get the team to play with passion on a weekly basis. Isn't the old saying football is 80% mental and 20% physical.

My other issue is he never got IT. IT being they are our team, whether they were Callahan's or not. IT being saying Ganz's record day was because of the system. Come on give the kid the recognition he deserves. He played great. I could go on and on but all of you already know this. He just didn't get IT.

All told he will be a very successful coach, but not at NU.

doombob Nov 15 07

What I'd like to see Joe Ganz do is work on a version of the West Coast Offense that UTILIZES his mobility rather than using is as an escape hatch. "Callahan's explosive offense" is a product of trying to do the same things all year - it just happened to work on a team not as good as us. The fact of the matter is that we lost to teams better than us, and beat teams worse than us. We just need to get to that point where really only 3 teams or less in the Big 12 or our non-conf. schedule have the tools to beat us. I don't see that happening with Callahan at the helm.

scott Nov 15 07

I have to agree with Steve on this one. We have all seen this offense do some great things and we have also seen the offense do some not so great things. I think TO would tell you that there were days that his offenses weren't doing so well and the defense would have to win the game. We don't have that luxury anymore. I think Cosgrove needs to be done as DC. His numbers don't really add up to a good resume. I know Pelini had more talent to work with but the current defensive players are better than their 117th against the run ranking.

Joe Ganz has started two games. TWO games. The stats weren't even that great in the Kansas game and I really don't think Kansas St. is that good of a team. I'm not trying to downgrade Ganz, but I'm not on the Ganz-wagon just yet. If he throws for 300 yards a game 5 games in a row I might reconsider.

This program is a LONG way from being where it was and where it wants to be. Fans need to get used to the fact that this is no quick solution and that there will probably be some choices made that won't work as intended and NU could fall even more before it stands back up. We could be knocked down for several years. Settle in and get behind the program. Stop the negativity. The real losers aren't the coaches or the players, but the negative fans.

Andrew Nov 15 07

Here is a good look of what Callahan has accomplished while at NE. This is from the NE State Papper.

http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2007/11/14/473bb08c8ccfb

eric_couch Nov 15 07

Mizzou: 6 points

Oklahoma State: 14 points

Texas A & M: 14 points

What thriving system???

brad Nov 15 07

Husker Mike,

Your a little Solich disciple, so I don't think you should be talking about the offense we have now.

Furthermore, you're now all for Bo Pelini, and everyone's excuse for him getting his ass kicked every time he played a good team in 2003 was that the offense let him down. Fine, in that case the complete collapse of the defense affected the offense in the middle stretch this season, as did making Callahan a lame duck.

Everyone knew that Callahan would need at least five years to make the switch, and we shut him down after 3.5 years before his 2005 class even finished its junior year.

Solich's final offense against a joke of a schedule: 61st. Callahan's final offense against a tough schedule: 19th. This article is right on.

Logan Nov 15 07

I agree with you 100% on this. We shouldn't pay a bowl eligible coach 3 million to leave us after a 3 win sweep (including a rival upset). Let's gut the defense and see where that puts us.

The Count Nov 15 07

This blog HAS to be in league with BRB seriously. It's obvious the man has been a failure to everybody except for the same 7 0r 8 apologist who keep BRB in business.

If you are in favor of bringing back Bill Callahan you are not a fan of Nebraska and want to see them fail. It's that simple.

Victor E. Rojo Nov 15 07

I'm glad the offense has had a couple of good games for a change, but don't kid yourself. We're still no better than seventh in the Big 12 in total offense.

But the bigger issue is that we've had four seasons of mediocre-at-best defense, and Callahan hasn't done squat about it. That's utter incompetence on his part. His buddy Cosgrove should have been gone long ago.

And it's obvious from BC's time at Oakland and Lincoln that he is clueless when it comes to team chemistry. The day that he is gone cannot come soon enough.

Cozad Jake Nov 15 07

Bill is doing an excellent job in all areas. Pass me another bottle of that Pedeyshine!

The Count Nov 15 07

Everyone knew that Callahan would need at least five years to make the switch, and we shut him down after 3.5 years before his 2005 class even finished its junior year.

Really? Weren't people like you saying this is THE year? every year with Billy C. we will be waiting for a NEXT year that won't get here.

Louise Nov 15 07

Steve Hanway, if Callahan is so clueless that he hasn't gotten rid of Cosgrove by now, what makes you think he will use good judgment in the future when things need fixing? Will he again turn a blind eye to protect a friend's job? The only way I'm going to feel cheated is if Callahan stays.

doombob Nov 15 07

I said in spring that I will not be happy with the fans who have a perpetual case of the "next-years." Real fans, however, look at all of the possibilities that will lead to a long term run of winning and National Championship title shots. It may include keeping Bill Callahan on board, whether you like it or not. If Dr. Osborne chooses to keep him on staff, I will support that decision until the athletic department moves on or we show no signs of potential improvement. Don't get emotional when it comes to deciding if someone stays or goes. Get emotional during the games when the players need your support the most.

Tilden Nov 15 07

earth to brad:

This ain't about Solich and Pelini. It's about Callahan and Cosgrove. Thanks to them, negative all-time records are falling like fruit flies in the ether. It is monumentally bad. If you want X number of years of continued underachievement and coaching 'em down instead of up, BC's your man.

Kabul Husker Nov 15 07

"Pederson’s greatest mistake might have been to not allow Solich to fail."

It's a little simpler than that. Pederson's greatest mistake was firing a 9-3 coach. Guys like Urban Meyer and Jeff Tedford wouldn't even give us the time of day because of that, and instead we got stuck with the unemployed Bill Callahan (who, by the way, HAS been allowed to fail and has done so resoundingly).

Shane Nov 15 07

Did you see Stewart Mandel's article about Charlie Weis? I think the same argument holds for BC, he can't do some of the things required of a college coach, like prepare the kids in one week during the school year, get kids to excel on heart and will, rather than professionalism and execution, and instill confidence and consistently positive relations with donors and fan base.

The thing is, BC also fails at some things required of college and pro coaches, like not putting his foot in his mouth to reporters, knowing when to stand behind your players when they struggle (see our RBs this year) and when to pull the plug (Keller v Ganz).

The Count Nov 15 07

Are comments working now?

The Count Nov 15 07

Anyway I love the site even though I don't agree with it on Mr. Callahan. I have the countdown on my blog which is actually a political blog. Somebody who disagrees with me thought I was Mr. Hanway. This blog entry ought to put a stop to that.

Boris Nov 15 07

BRN, even Cosgrove's best seasons have been worse than Bohl's worst seasons. Callahan didn't need to be a psychic, as you say, to know that a change was warranted. Cosgrove should have been gone after year two, simple as that. But cronyism prevailed, and now we are paying the price.

By the way, some people were fooled by the late-season performance of the defense in 2006. Now you're asking us to be fooled again by the late-season performance of the offense in 2007. Sorry, I ain't that gullible.

Mase Nov 15 07

I haven’t commented in awhile, mostly because I’ve been too appalled and decided to abide by the "if you have nothing good to say..." clause, but this article requires a respone. Anyone who thinks Callahan deserves to stay, is giving him a little too much slack in my book. Yes, we as Nebraska fans are too critical of our football, and maybe should "get a life", but sorry, a not so small part of my life is Nebraska football. In my book, we gave Callahan his second chance after a 5-6 first year with the worst loss in school history. Would it have been too much to ask to make a few adjustments for the players at hand (I know he was trying to sell the system, but c’mon!)? We then turned a blind eye to the exodus of disgruntled players, who weren’t exactly eighth string TEs. There should be no third chance.

As far as I’m concerned, regardless of who is the coordinator, Callahan is ultimately responsible for the performance on both sides of the ball. That’s what comes with being the head coach. This sorry performance on defense, whether it’s BCs inability to hire the right coaches (no leadership) or inability to help them change things (failure) or even try to help (worse), is HIS responsibility.

Looking at the accomplishments of BCs offense, especially in the wake of this past weekend, is a valid argument for keeping him around. However, this means that you also have to account for the plethora of false starts, illegal formations, delays of game, and wasted timeouts that this offensive system is still causing in year four. Let’s also look at his choice to stick with Keller throughout entire games, even when things weren’t working…obviously not a good coaching decision. This also doesn’t touch on the throat slash and effing hillbilly incidents, or his blatant disregard for former players and coaches, and disrespect for fan support and knowledge of the game. He is obviously arrogant as well ("I’m doing an excellent job"). This behavior maybe acceptable at Miami, but should never be allowed at Nebraska. My evaluation was through after giving up 76 to Kansas...no Kansas team, I don’t care how good they are, should score 76 against Nebraska. BC has to go! Please don’t compare these last few games to the Solich ending…major difference in atmosphere and circumstances. The atmosphere now is hotter than a kiln, and if you can’t take the heat...you know the rest.

ze bop Nov 15 07

I think the next game vs Puffs will give some clear answers: if NE loses, Calli is 'Ghandi' for sure; if they blow out CU, maybe things will tilt a little more in his favor toward being retained, but I think this would have to be coupled with a convincing bowl victory and Ganz somehow looking like he's been the special, missing link to a potentially explosive offense.

Calli's O has not put up large point totals against GOOD teams for 4 years--except vs KSU last week. Again, maybe this is mainly because he's lacked a QB that has mastery over the system(even Zac T mentioned he hadn't mastered it in his tenure).
Still, I think the poor O performances vs Wake, USC, Mizzou, Pokes, aTm are disturbing and keep me thinking that Calli is just an inconsistent coach, potentially like Leach of TTech.

I would love to see Calli succeed to our standards with a long run at NE, seems many of the players are completely supportive of him. But at this pooint I just don't see it happening. This year was way too unnacceptable and NE Fan is too deeply divided over Calli, more against than for him.

Also, one would hate to miss a chance at the Bo P's or Brian Kelly's of the world....

Greg Morrow Nov 15 07

Frank's offense, which was his every bit as much as Callahan's is his, regressed during 6 complete seasons. But it was physical (the design demanded it) and his teams played hard on both sides of the ball.
His losses were often decisive those last three seasons, but with clear reasons why.
I think Daily would have grown into a quite good option QB but lack of good RB recruits was, to me, as much a reason to wonder whether Frank would make the team a top ten, again.
You know, a contendah...
Again though, his teams fought.

Personally, I'd still like to have Callahan back after a decisive whuppin of Buffy and a enthusiastic effort in the Bowl game. I'm well aware that the decision will be made after the Buffy game.
The offense would seem to evolve into something consistent with more and more QB's developed as underclassmen. Possibly Witt and Zach Lee in two years. Which most likely would be the case. Real offensive proficiency with sustaining 1st downs, can help a defense regroup, too.

The major, major issue would have to be this current staff's proclivity of getting out coached when the opponent is doing more than athlete on athlete. The team gets "bum rushed" like a steer on the tracks facing a locomotive.
Teams have to have fight. You have to start with that. The ability and willingness to "scrap" as hard and as long as necessary and then some, was foundational at Nebraska. The players who'll remain with the team (after transfers) and possible recruits, deserve the chance to cleanly win future "fights" playing for Nebraska.
The Fighting Callahans?

MikeDidIt Nov 15 07

>>
1) Lose Bill; definitely keep Joe Ganz.
2) We are going to need an offensive explosion against Colorado since they will explode against our Cosgrovian defense.
3) If Bill's offense is so great, why has he been holding out until last week? Sounds fishy to me. Maybe we owe Joe the credit and not the WCO.
4) Thanks for everything Bill and Kevin. I think you are great guys, care deeply about the players, but just aren't great coaches.
5) Keep Shawn Watson?

cvldfg Nov 15 07

Mase, I think you described my feelings the best. However, one main reason for getting rid of BC is the right thing to do, is because NU can replace his offensive schemes more easily with a coordinator who runs basically the same offense. "Everybody's running it". But to find and/or have a great Defensive minded man on our side is so much harder to obtain.

Dwayne Nov 15 07

I agree with what Renny said. I like the WCO and I've said it before, I don't think Callahan is the guy that should be calling the plays during the game. Callahan's game management is poor. If he goes, it could be a possibility that Watson remains which would benefit us definately in the short term. The thing that I feel the offense needs to get, and it can with this offense, is a bit more physical all around. If Callahan is gone, three things that the next coach must be able to do in no particular order is develop players, motivate players, and manage a game. Callahan hasn't shown me any of this and has actually demonstrated to me the opposite. Some say that the next coach, if there is going to be one, must be from the fabric of Nebraska. That's crap. If the next coach can develop and motivate players, and manage a game he is a Nebraska Cornhusker because that in a sense is what we all are. How can Maclin, a true freshman for Missouri, be having the type of season he is having but none of our freshman players be even seeing the field until as of late? It's imperative now I think in this day and age that all 85 players can contribute at a very early point in their careers. For me, winning isn't the bottom line like many people suggest. If we were 5-6 and 6 of those losses were within a touchdown or so, I wouldn't be this upset, but 38-0 at home at the half is ridiculous.

"Not the victory but the action. Not the goal but the game. In the deed the glory." Think about what those words really mean.

OU7times Nov 15 07

I find myself worrying about some people who might hold some responsibility, for this season, against Keller. I know the mere thought of that might get some people "riled up", but feel some people are trying to reason the 73 point explosion, against KSU, in his absence. Keller was a fine QB and no one could knock his stats, especially with his supporting cast on defense. You just have to figure that a run/option QB is just a lot harder to stop. Factor in that Ganz seems to be a better than average (accuracy) passer. No one will know how NU would have fared had they played Ganz over Keller to begin with. Ganz just didn't figure into the WCO in plan "A" in the beginning. I just don't think Callahan is any kind of offensive genius it's more like it is due to the quality of athletes on NU's squad. The shame with that is that Callahan gets all the credit and the athletes (in comparrison) get nothing (he'll even tell you so, you see, it's all about his system). Whether or not Callahan is plenty good as an offensive person, his other idiosyncracies have him with his bags packed and looking for work,in my mind. I'll make a prediction and hope BRN doesn't scold me for it, but IF Callahan is let go, he will no doubt in my mind, throw a verbal jab at the U of N. I'm sorry fans, I just don't trust Callahan at all.

dwayne Nov 15 07

OU7,
He may even throw a jab at you effin hillbillies. Just kidding man. I agree and I'm sorry, anyone that doesn't sport the colors and logo of the U that's paying them loses any respect I had for them. The other thing that really comes to light for me listening to some of his remarks is his freaking inability to pronounce his own player's names. What does that tell you about his relationship with these guys and how disrespectful is that to them?

OU7times Nov 15 07

Kabul Husker, Thanks for your service. Keep your head down and your butt low, brother.

Husker Trust Nov 16 07

Callahan has given us four of the worst seasons in modern Husker history. They rank as the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th worst since 1968.

And his offense is inconsistent at best. One game of running up the score on a demoralized KSU team that let ISU score 31 on them a week earlier is his signature game?

Criminy, most of Solich's teams scored more points than the '07 Huskers. 4 out of 6 seasons, Solich's teams scored more points per game than the '07 team is scoring this year. Prior to the KSU game, the '07 team was only scoring 3 points per game more than Solich's worst ever offense!

Billy C is a total failure as a head coach. 3 out of 6 years as a HC, he has completely lost his team. Anyone who thinks he will ever be successful as a HC is delusional.

Saved by TO! Nov 16 07

Folks, looking back at 4 of the worst 5 years in modern history, there will NOT be any feeling of "being cheated". At least not a widespread one. The only people complaining will be those delusional sorts who can't possibly imagine their last 4 years of viewing Callahan as some sort of Messiah have been totally, utterly, completely, and unequivacally in vain. Your pretty little "modern" Bill Walsh gimmicks are going away and college football WINS are coming back. Get some counseling, buy Chiefs or Broncos tickets, and get over it.

NO ONE on this staff is worth saving. NONE of them. They are mediocre hacks, with careers of medicority. Nothing worth saving there...

Brad Nov 16 07

Earth to Tilden.

The Nebraska fan base as a whole is stupid and whiny and it has tried to get rid of every coach it's ever had, including Devaney and Osborne.

We are rebuilding, and if our fan base wasn't such babies they would know there was going to be problems in that process. Our offense has been in the top twenty the last two years, and if we let Solich start over with the 61st ranked offense and a crap defense then we should at least try to fix the defense first with Callahan.

Unfortunately, like I said Nebraska fans are mostly whiny and stupid, and unless they get lucky with a hire they are going to get the awful program they deserve.

Go cry in you championship memorabilia.

Jack Nov 16 07

BC needs to go. But for those who think this system is so great, Sean Watson is the Offensive Coordinator of this system. So tell me why Billy needs to stay.

If anyone is kept from this staff it should be Watson. As has been pointed out by several others, BC has more responsibilities than just calling the plays (like overall management of the team - this does include the Defense). This offense has been mediocre at best (over the course of the 4 years, not just for one game). It seems to me that for the most part this fabulous offensive system has only worked against poor to bad defenses (FYI, Kansas State is a BAD team).

Keep Watson and let the new coach transition to a spread offense (i.e. Mizzou, Oregon, etc.)

Jack Nov 16 07

And Earth to Brad.

You call the "fan base as a whole stupid and whiny" and then say "We are rebuilding". I guess that makes you "stupid and whiny" as well. Oh wait, you're the one that isn't, right?

Guess what? We are not the only fan base that has called for a coaches job because they didn't win (or win enough). Maybe you should check out Alabama fans, Texas fans, Michigan fans, Ohio State fans... and the list goes on.

The Count Nov 16 07

Jack Nov 16 07

And Earth to Brad.

You call the "fan base as a whole stupid and whiny" and then say "We are rebuilding". I guess that makes you "stupid and whiny" as well. Oh wait, you're the one that isn't, right?

Amen Jack. Brad isn't a Nebraska fan he's a Callahan fan.

The Count Nov 16 07

In 4 years how many of Bill Callahan's teams have posted a better record than Frank Solich's last team?

Give up? 0

In 6 years how many Frank Solich teams have had 4 or more loses? 2 one was 9-4

In 4 years how many 4 or more loss teams has Bill Callahan had? 4. 3 had 5 or more loses.

If you want a 3 game or more losing streak every year. getting blown out every game against a top 15 team Billy C is your man.

If you want Bill Callahan back you aren't a Nebraska fan. really it's not tough to understand.

The Count Nov 16 07

Fact - NU fans (like most rabid fan bases) are downright tough to please. Perhaps a litany of 9-win seasons and the unprecedented success of the mid 1990s has us all pretty spoiled.

BS and you know it. If Nebraska was 7-3 right now Bill wouldn't have any problems. The Problem is some Nebraska fans are too easy to please.

This was suppose to be THE year. If this is THE year where everything works man if this guy comes back next year what will the record be 2-10?

The Count Nov 16 07

We have press clippings from papers in 1986, 1990 and other years when people were absolutely howling for Osborne's head.

This statement alone really makes you look stupid.

Let's look at 1986.

09/06 Florida St. Lincoln W 34-17 8/11 75,865
09/20 Illinois Champaign W 59-14 6/ 75,865
09/27 Oregon Lincoln W 48-14 4/ 76,185
10/04 S. Carolina Columbia W 27-24 3/ 73,109
10/11 #Okla. St.-HC Lincoln W 30-10 3/ 76,041
10/18 #Missouri Lincoln W 48-17 3/ 76,005
10/25 #Colorado Boulder L 10-20 3/ 52,440
11/01 #Kansas State Lincoln W 38-0 9/ 75,893
11/08 #Iowa State Ames W 35-14 7/ 48,007
11/15 #Kansas Lawrence W 70-0 6/ 48,800
11/22 #Oklahoma Lincoln L 17-20 5/3 76,198
01/01 +LSU* New Orleans W 30-15 6/5 76,234

A 10-2 season a top 5 finish. Oh hell yes this looks just like this year.

The Count Nov 16 07

1 - Please stop dictating to people about what makes them a fan. It's not funny, or even a little bit true. It's more sad than anything.

Yet this board refers to fans posting on the Grand Island Independent forum as Idiots. can you say hypocrisy? It's Ok for Darren but not for me.

Jason find a popularity poll for Tom Osborne and compare it to one for Callahan. Keep trying to compare 10 win top 5 teams to this one it only makes you look stupid.

I thought this was a good blog makes me sad I advertised for it. I didn't know it was Big Callahan Network a arm of the Big Callahan Board. Sorry for that.

If this blog ever gets back to common sense and starts wanting whats best for Nebraska football instead of what's best of Callahan there will be some hope for this place.

Husker Trust Nov 16 07

In '86,'90 and '02, stupid idiotic whiny Husker fans called for the coach to get fired.

Today, intelligent observant Husker fans are calling for the coach to get fired because the current coach has never shown any evidence of ever being anything better than mediocre.

See the difference?

ze bop Nov 16 07

"small band of idiots".

Oh yeah, somebody's gotta BE THAT!

Anyway, I post regularly on the IF board and they are, as a consensus, very anti Callahan over there, but I don't find the board obnoxious or full of hate and name calling(to each other as well as NE coaches), etc., like I see on the LJS board.

Most of the bloggers on IF will banter around opposing views and are pretty entertaining about it. Plus, the posting format over there is very good.

p.s., on IF, threads are shut down very quickly when the 'true fan vs untrue fan' debate arises--mainly because the monitors are thoroughly bored with that subject.

Saved by TO! Nov 16 07

Brad..."Rebuilding"??? From what? 2006? '05? '04? We aren't "rebuilding". 7-6 is about on par with BiLL CaLLahan's career at NU, so you can't even say we are "building", ;et alone "RE-building"...Geez. We lose 31 kids this year, we have fewer impact freshmen than anyone else in the Big 12. Hard to say "rebuilding". Impossible in fact to anyone but a true CaLLahan fan.

ze bop Nov 17 07

Really, I think the point of the article is valid, that we may be 'cheated' in the end.

I think we were somewhat 'cheated' with the Frankie situation.

Going into this season there were high hopes among many, yet I think most of us had a sense of caution in the back of our minds that breaking in a new QB and new D line, combined with a tough schedule, might give NE a 7-8 win year.

So, it is still possible that Big Red could finish 7-6 and therefore not be too out of line with some expectations.

However, no one on Planet Red could have seen 6 BLOWOUTS in the mix and 5 straight losses. They should have been playing much better.
This development, combined with the firing of Heir Pedey(replaced by the 'Wizard') spells 'see ya' to Calli and Co. as far as I can tell.

It probably takes any coach 7-8 years in a program to show his potential, but I don't think we will be particularly 'cheated' of a happy ending.

It could just as well be speculated that ups and downs--sometimes severe--is what Calli is all about....

EIC Nov 20 07

This is crazy. For one, Callahan, as the head coach, is responsible for both sides of the ball. The defense has never been good in Callahan's four years, but it is monumentally bad this year. All of the recent highly ranked NFL draft picks from Nebraska were Solich's defensive players. The defense lacks athletes, ostensibly because Callahan focused recruiting on the offense, because he wanted/needed ***** recruits to pull off his scheme.

Moreover, there is plenty of evidence to indict his offensive prowess. Going back to the last two games of last season, Callahan put up a mere 7 points against Oklahoma and then 10 points against Auburn. Not exactly a blazing offensive performance. As others pointed out, there are several games this season with poor offensive performance.

But I'm even willing to forget about all of that. The reason Callahan has to--and will--go at the end of the season is because of his lack of class and leadership. You can smell it on him. He lacks class and lacks true head-coach spirit. There are plenty of examples of him shooting his mouth (or wrist) off. His post-game comments are always lame when juxtaposed with a real coach. And yet I cannot think of one time where I listened to what he had to say and thought that it sounded like something a mature, strong leader would say.

His lack of class and leadership has poisoned the team and killed the team's identity. Frankly, I think Callahan might make a decent OC on a staff that had a solid head coach. But Callahan is not head coaching material. It is so painfully obvious that this blog loses all legitimacy by denying that fact.

Grim Nov 21 07

One game does not make a season. Ganz is looking great but if Keller didn't get injured Callahan would not have been smart enough to play him. Bills decision not to give Ganz an earlier shot is just a critical as his poor leadership.

Nebraska would have been better off if Bill Callahan had never crossed the state line.

madhuskerfan62 Nov 21 07

Head coaches get paid to lead and make decisions. BC has done neither of these. Cosgrove should have been gone early in the season. If a head coach is not able to lead and make decisions then he does not need to be a head coach. I believe that if you really look at what TO said that he is looking for in a coach he believes this too.