Mark Nov 05 07

As a lifelong Husker fan (now age 50), it's painful to see what is happening to our storied program. Panic is never a good thing; especially when it supplants thoughtful and intelligent decision making. Let's assume Callahan is history. Nebraska has produced some fine coaches including the likes of Barry Alverez, Tom Rathman, and Turner Gill. Surely one of our own can do better than Mr. Callahan.

Dave Nov 05 07

Mark, I couldn't agree more.

Step one is to break the cycle, if only just mentally. Callahan, for the good of the team, needs to step down now with dignity.

This does three things:

1) Gets past the "fire him" sentiment and begins a bit of healing
2) Allows for recruiting a new coach to begin now, so the new coach is ready to hit the high school recruiting circuit come January
3) Let's the kids know where the buck really stops...sure, Callahan wasn't missing tackles or assignments, but if preparation is 80% and perspiration is 20%, much of the season's demise falls on him.

Who to take the job? I've said Turner Gill, but let's also not forget Bo Pelini...either would be great, with the other as the Defensive/Offensive Coordinator respectively.

Bottom line...sure, programs have their ups and downs. This is clearly a down. The mark of true dynasty is to acknowledge it, fix it, and move on.

Scott Nov 05 07

I know most people think TO is going to be our savior. What is going to happen if he retains Callahan for next year? Will people be calling for Osborne's job? What if someone from outside the program is hired and his first name isn't Bo?

I knew I was at the acceptance stage when I saw KU get into the 60-something point range and I wasn't even that upset.

I nominate Josh Freeman for Big 12 Player of the Week for the November 10th game against NU.

doombob Nov 05 07

I'm not surprised so many people in the national media are saying that nobody would blame Dr. Tom Osborne for firing Callahan now. If Dr. Osborne did that now, then Nebraska would truly have sunk to being just like every other school in the country where wins are everything. If he keeps his word and evaluates after the season is over, we will show the rest of the country another reason why Nebraska is special. In a year of utter disappointment in footballl play and fan behavior, we need someone to show us all what it is like to be a class act. After many of the silly comments we've heard from Callahan, Dr. Tom needs to step the dignity up a notch. I am a Cornhusker, a member of the best fans in the country. I have never boo'd a Husker player or coach, and I don't plan on it now - even in the midst of the lowest year of Husker football. For those that expect a couple more gut-wrenching losses, remember this: It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything...

Grant Nov 05 07

Ah....I was wondering how long it would be until we say a Tyler Durden quote. Rule Number 1....WE DO NOT TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB!!

doombob Nov 05 07

Yeah, well somebody has Project Mayhem'd the Huskers this year. It's really the ONLY plausible explanation.

Bill in Iowa Nov 06 07

I would add one more stage - "moving forward". I think this new low as helped many Husker faithful realize how fortunate we were during the Devany-Osborne era...and the question now is how do we get back to what made Husker football so great. New coaches will be the beginning. But I am looking forward to bringing much of the tradition back(maybe even a few ex-Husker coaches), seeing a much bigger walk-on program, creating home grown offensive lineman who have been lifting weights for four years so they can start during their fifth year, and returning to an agressive styled defense that intimidates offenses and pursues 100 miles an hour. I think we still have a lot of talent and I am optimistic a great coaching staff can salvage this years recruiting class, and possibly even be competitive in the Big 12 next year.

Bill in Iowa Nov 06 07

ARE WE WEAK OR WHAT?

In a related point, I was really pondering what is wrong with the Huskers this year. Alot has been said about coaches, motivation, fundamentals, schemes. I started thinking...why can't our D-line shed blockers? Why is their first step so slow? Why can't our O-line run block? Are we just that weak? Well...I maybe we are? I went to Husker.com to look at past strength and agility records and you will not be able to find one record holder for any position after 2001. And the last football player to be named the Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year was Kyle Vanden Bosch in 99/00. Notice how many athletes hold records from the 90's. I know this is circumstantial evidence, but one has to wonder if one of the main problems with this team...is that the Huskers really are weak.

http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=183&SPID=41&DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=6076

http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=183&SPID=41&DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=6080

http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=183&SPID=41&DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=8504

cvldfg Nov 06 07

The Steve Pedersen/ Bill Callahan experiment not only set Husker FB back, but they set back an entire state of High School FB. Think about it, When BC arrived, almost every school changed to a west coast offense and they abandoned the walk on program, which most kids would give anything to go there for a chance. Now, if they switch back, where do the High Schools go? They would also have to start over again.