Husker Football08 Nov 2006 :: Posted by: Bugeater
Huskers Can Eliminate Doubt On Saturday
In his piece on Nebraska’s quest to win the Big 12 north, Lincoln Journal Star writer Steven M. Sipple points out some glaring facts.
Nebraska has yet to beat a South Division opponent beside Baylor during the Callahan era.
Callahan is 5-8 on the road at Nebraska, losing by an average of 23.8 points.
The game on Saturday at College Station is huge. A win against the Aggies on the road takes this season in the right direction.
November 9th, 2006 at 9:25 am
After 3 years with this coach who has been called a questionable hire at best, winning the Big 12 North is not in reality a lofty goal, merely a readily achieveable one. Have our Husker fan standards been lowered so dramatically that we accept this regime’s mediocrity year after year? Year 3 of BC seems to be a step backward from Year 2, although a win at Texas A&M would be significant. But again, as fans of a formerly-elite football program, how much do we accept and tolerate from this qyestionable coach (and AD)? Tom Osborne was here 25 years and never lost 4 games in a season, nor did he embarass the program/University/fans by making obscene or threatening gestures on the sidelines. Callahan has made it a habit to do both.
November 9th, 2006 at 9:25 am
After 3 years with this coach who has been called a questionable hire at best, winning the Big 12 North is not in reality a lofty goal, merely a readily achieveable one. Have our Husker fan standards been lowered so dramatically that we accept this regime’s mediocrity year after year? Year 3 of BC seems to be a step backward from Year 2, although a win at Texas A&M would be significant. But again, as fans of a formerly-elite football program, how much do we accept and tolerate from this questionable coach (and AD)? Tom Osborne was here 25 years and never lost 4 games in a season, nor did he embarass the program/University/fans by making obscene or threatening gestures on the sidelines. Callahan has made it a habit to do both.
November 9th, 2006 at 9:33 am
Art,
I don’t think anyone is ready to say a Big 12 north title is enough, nor even a big deal. It’s a given that we need to win it every season. Sadly, that given has not come to fruition since 1999, so it will be a step in the right direction to win it this year.
November 9th, 2006 at 11:03 am
We went 10-3 in 2003 with Frank Solich after going 7-7 in 2002. THAT was a step in the right direction. What we have taken since then is MANY steps backwards so that ANYTHING positive looks like a step forward. When will you finally measure Mr. Callahan with the same yardstick you used with Frank Solich? We need to stop patronizing Husker Nation and call things the way they really are.
November 9th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
I never measured Frank by any yardstick. He’s a Hukser. The real deal. That’s all I need to know. As for Loserhan, I’m upset with his performance, but for some reason I still believe there’s hope for him. He needs the ball to bouce his way the remainder of this season, for sure. That means Saturday. We need this win. That’s the way things really are.
November 10th, 2006 at 5:17 am
We do need a win Saturday. If this team could somehow spring-board a win at A&M into a 5-game win streak at the end of the year (includung the Big 12 title game and a bowl) to finish strongly as it did last year, THAT would really be a step in the right direction. I realize that sounds a little far-fetched with Texas atop the Big 12 South, but we played the longhorns very tough once already. Another 4 (or more) loss season for this coach will be like we’ve been running in circles for 3 years, but if it happens, Steve Pederson has neither the humility or competence to admit that he made a bad choice and hire. I think that Callahan (as well as Cosgrove) is here in Lincoln to stay, and THAT ultimately may prove to be the worst thing that can happen to the program and the fans in the long run. Being an outsider who was brought into the fold, his continuing lack of fire and passion for the program and the fans are evident week after week. Regrettably, it may be the most consistent character trait he has.
November 10th, 2006 at 7:55 am
I understand and agree with all your comments. At least Frank Solich was a true Husker. Callahan is not and never has been a Husker, nor has his performance been worthy of being annointed and accepted as one. I just noticed that his self-promoting “coachcallahan.com” website appears to be severely lacking when one clicks on the “what others say about Coach Callahan” link and see how few complimentary comments there really are…only one player from his last team (Oakland Raiders) is quoted as having good things to say about him. The other 60-70 players and coaches reportedly (from various accounts by respected journalists) didn’t think much of him at all, and that seems to be apparent based on the absence of any more good posted comments regarding “what others say”. Not to be overly cynical or a BC-basher, but was the rest of “what others say” perhaps unfit for print or uncomplimentary? The entire website seems to be trying desperately to sell a non-Husker to Husker Nation, because his job performance sure hasn’t.
November 10th, 2006 at 11:53 pm
Solich was given 6yrs to prove what he could do. How many North division championships did he win? I’m not saying he was justly or unjustly let go, as you have already made that decision.
HOWEVER, youre ready to can a coach after 3 yrs and want the head of a AD: why? because he didn’t keep you all in the loop of whom the coaching search involved? Yeah, so Houston Nutt’s name was mentioned as a possible candidate. Pederson had said he wanted a “big name” coach, and I hardly think that Nutt was it. He got an ex-NFL coach. So you point out that his website, established by the university and not the coach, only has a couple of Raiders complimenting him. One of those guys is some schmuck that was an NFL MVP named Rich Gannon. Another guy was some old NU linebacker that had a so-so coaching career of his own named Barry Alavarez, and the other coach was a Superbowl winning coach, I think his name is Jon Gruden. Youre SOOOOO right, when a bunch of SUPERB nfl players from that ElITE franchise that is the Raiders who have won how many games since Callahan has left can’t say anything nice about the guy, that should trump what any other people should say, especially an NFL MVP, superbowl winning coach, and a college coach who only won 100 some games. Yeah, some random guys on a website are MUCH more qualified to coach than Callahan. Just keep telling yourself that…ok??
Please tell me how after 10 games, a record of 7-3 is worse than 6-4? what kind of messed up math is that??
Frank goes 10-3 after going 7-7, and yes that IS progress, but I forgot you fuzzy math-logic that says 5-6 to 8-4 is NOT progress.
Road Records vs Ranked teams:
Callahan: 0-3
Solich: 1-9
Such “lofty” standards you have.
For arguments sake, say they fire Callahan after 3 yrs. Who would want to coach NU, especially with these unrealistically high standards you have. You compare Callahan with a coaching legend (osborne) and wonder why he fails? Ok, why can’t ALL baseball players hit .400 like Ted Williams did? Sports are cyclical: the winners of yesterday aren’t always the winners of today, and the winners of today aren’t all going to be the winners of tomorrow.
Can’t we just support the team?? or is that not part of the agenda here?
November 11th, 2006 at 7:39 am
Well maybe the point is, if you are going to bring in an out-of-state ‘foreigner’ to coach NU, instead of one of our own as was the tradition, it would make sense to hold him to the same standards as everyone else. Do you feel comfortable with an AD who cares not about the fans, who is out to make a name for himself?? Keep in mind the following points about Frank Solich, and honestly tell me and everyone else that you think BC will ever come close to the husker Frank was, OR the successful coaching career he had here at NU
Frank Solich:
1962 recruited to play fullback by Devaney.
1965 all Big Eight honors
FIRST Husker to rush for 200 yards
Became Running Backs Coach and had one All Conference running back in 13 of 15 years.
Recruited and coached Heisman winner Mike Rozier
Spent a number of years as Assistant Head Coach
Hand picked to succeed TO by TO
Was Head Coach of NU for 6 years
First 5 seasons won more games than Devaney and Osborne did in same period
9 win seasons 5 out of 6 years
1999 Big 12 Coach of the Year
2001 Big 12 Coach of the Year
2003 his team went 10-3 and he was FIRED
Bill Calahan:
From out of state
Driven out of the NFL by his own players
2004 first losing season at NU since 1961
2005 worst loss in NU history
First coach at NU to use the throat slash gesture and be penalized for it.
First coach at NU who curses opposing players and fans on the field.. f****ing hillbillies
2006 going no where fast but BC doesn’t care as he is not a husker and he gets twice as much money more than we paid anyone else.
Hand picked by Steve Pedersen!!
November 11th, 2006 at 7:48 am
One more thing, Todd are you saying that Tom Osborne didn’t make a good decision giving Frank the job and that Steve Pedersen somehow is capable of knowing whats better for Nebraska than Tom Osborne? One more thing as it is hard making comparisons but, when you bring up the old days when Frank was here, remember to look at where the big 12 and the big 12 north was at that time, vs where it is now. The Big 12 in those days dominated the Top 10 in division I-A college football. Take a look at where the Big 12 North is now, and NU still can’t win it cleanly, it isn’t who beats everyone else in the north, it is who avoids having the most losses.
November 11th, 2006 at 8:05 am
Big Red Fred,
Thanks for all your thoughtful comments. That Solich resume sure looks good from where I’m sitting. Go Bobcats!
Bottom line to all this, BC starts winning big time games or he’ll be forced out (and Pedersen with him).
November 11th, 2006 at 9:59 am
Look at what happened to Oklahoma after the Sitzer era ended; a decade of mediocrity driven in part by an administration that wanted to hire big name after big name. It wasn’t until they finally realized that “the name” wouldn’t turn the program around, it took a coach who knew how to coach and develop players.
I think the problem most people have with Billy Boy is that he is an outsider, seems to play for moment and not for developing talent, and he never seems to show emotion about wins or losses. For once, just be pissed off when you lose a game rather than ho-humming it.
November 11th, 2006 at 10:04 am
In all fairness to the debacle with the Raiders, he was forced out by 2 players: Tim Brown and Jerry Porter. Look where they are today. The vast majority of that team either had his back or were neutral in the situation, but Tim Brown had the ear of the media and more importantly, the ear of owner Al Davis.
November 11th, 2006 at 11:42 am
Todd brought up some very good points, but he seems to have missed some of ours. We simply meant that if NU finshes this year with a win streak like last year, a 3-loss season would be a major step forward for this team & coach. If they finsh with 4 or more losses, it’s just been 3 years of mediocre performance (steps ahead, steps back, etc) which should not be the standard of Husker Nation. And many journalists have pointed out that BC was not held in high regard by his NFL counterparts, so only 3 good comments on his own website that promotes himself to Husker Nation is certainly logical.
November 11th, 2006 at 6:37 pm
No, there were no missed points, however I was pointing out some things that are roughly even between the two.
Do I think that callahan is the ‘coach of the future’? NO
Do I think the program is headed in a better direction than where it was? yes
Hey fred:
Based on the recent run in politics by Osborne, I obviously wasn’t the only one who thought TO might not know whats best for nebraska.
Regarding coaching and developing players: do you honestly beleive that JOE DAILEY was going to be the “qb of the future” at nebraska?? talk about accepting mediocrity…
Right now I have a problem with NU sitting on a lead to the point that they almost lose the game. Minus a blocked field goal, NU loses this game today. I wouldn’t be sad to see Coz leave.
The one thing that we CAN agree on is that we want to see NU be successful, right??
November 11th, 2006 at 8:28 pm
Certainly we can find things to agree on. However, if you post on ANY husker website, it might be wise to stay away from cheap shots at Dr. Tom Osborne. His policital and personal life have nothing to do with this. In the old days, no one had to be told to respect others, their elders, the people we didn’t agree with, our opponents on the field, well you get the picture. It is hard for me to stomach where husker football has gravitated to these past 3 years. I really don’t care anymore.
November 11th, 2006 at 9:58 pm
It wasn’t really a cheapshot on TO, more of a point that just because he (TO) wanted Solich to be his successor, it doesn’t mean that Solich was qualified to be the head coach. That was my point.
As for where the program has gravitated and where it might be going to in the future: I would LOVE to see NU “dumb down” the offense so it doesn’t take 2+ yrs to understand it and operate it efficiently. Again, I would LOVE to see Coz go.
It would be nice to have NU play a COMPLETE game and not just a half. Half time adjustments seem to be lost on this staff, but honestly, I can’t think of any coaches on the market that would be a good fit for NU currently. It would be nice to keep this “forward pass” thingy as part of the offense.
November 13th, 2006 at 12:44 pm
I guess I take offense that you would say that Steve Pedersen is more qualified than Dr. Tom Osborne to judge coaching skills and, is better qualified to decide who would make the better coach! Just stop one second and THINK what you are saying. ALSO, in my opinion, if you were an honest person you would admit that the last 3 year experiment would prove beyond any doubt that Dr. Tom knew what was right for NU. NOT Steve Pedersen, or some transplant from the outside who is raking in the dough to the tune of almost twice what we paid anyone else…