ESPN.com is reporting that Bill Callahan has been given a 3 year extension, keeping him under contract at Nebraska until 2011. There was no word on financial details for Callahan who is currently making approximately $1.6 million per year.
Is anyone really surprised given Steve Pederson’s recent five-year extension? The only thing this solidifies is that if mediocrity continues to be the name of the game, the only thing truly keeping Nebraska from a new coach is Callahan’s flight back to the NFL or the removal of Steve Pederson AND a big booster willing to pony up for the guaranteed money due in the event of a firing.
As a Husker fan, I am disappointed by the bill of goods sold to us and optimistically hope that this is indeed the year we have turned the corner back to a football powerhouse. If it isn’t, and the following year(s) follow a similar pattern, we face a situation where the administration and coaching staff are too expensive to force changes.
I’ve predicted 10-2 for this team this season, with a possibility of 12-0 if we beat USC, but by the numbers, this same team could easily go 7-5 or any where in between.
What record do our readers need to see this year to maintain or restore their faith in the program?
September 5th, 2007 at 9:32 am
I believe that many of us regular bloggers and contributors to this site have expressed throughout the spring/summer that, in the fans’ eyes, this is a make or break year for BC, SP and the program. I totally agree with the Administrator’s comments above regarding the bill of goods that us loyal fans have been sold regarding both the Coach and AD. Although I think that I speak for most of us in hoping that this season is the turnaround for the football program, let’s not forget that the 15 losses amassed over the past 3 years comprise the worst 3-year won-lost record in 50 years at Nebraska, Broderick Thomas’ negative comments, the outcasting of program pillars like Dr. Tom & Doak O, plus the national punch-in-the-face that Stewart Mandel of SI gave our AD/Coach just last month in identifying BC as one of the 10 Worst College Football Coaches. But again, I (like the rest of you) root very hard for the players every week despite the bill of goods that’s been delivered to us. As a longtime fan & follower, I just don’t see how BC and SP can continue to put up 5 loss seasons and be given a free pass. This is Nebraska, not Kansas or Kansas State.
September 6th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Sorry, but I think Steve Pederson is the reason for your problems. He has no clue and he destroys college football traditions. He came to Pitt, turned off alot of people, tore down our beautiful, historic, tradition laden stadium, and changed our fight songs and uniforms and logos and then skipped town. Good riddance. Now you have him doing the same there. Sure you won big last weekend, but everyone wins the easy first game of the year at home (well, OK, Michigan is the exception). You will not finish in the top 25 this year and will not improve on last year. Only after you lose fire your AD and coach will you have a chance at getting back to national prominence.
September 7th, 2007 at 6:26 am
Some of the above sentiments have been expressed by the Site’s Administrator and other longtime and loyal fans, in particular BigRedFred whose words from months ago that I recall vividly regarding the loss of Husker tradition and his well-written bullet points of “what we have left” since the arrival of Pederson & Callahan. However, I truly believe in this year’s players and their talent, and I am rooting for ‘07 to be the turn-around year for Huskers football. I hope that a convincing road win this week will catapult the team and serve notice to the nation (with a near top ten ranking going into the USC game) that this is finally the year that the Huskers do climb out of the multiple 5-loss per season doldrums that we’ve been in the last 3 years. I’m predicting 38-14 over Wake on Saturday…anyone else up for making a pick?
September 7th, 2007 at 8:00 am
So a 38-14 final on Saturday vs Wake would be a work of Art (as in Art S), right? I’ll forecast that the Huskers “O” will continue to put up big numbers, and pick the final margin of 48-17. That’ll give the team an even 100 points scored heading back into Lincoln vs USC. Then next week I can e-mail that sarcastic, un-funny, second-rate scribe from the LA Times (TJ Slimeball, er I mean Simers) and pose this riddle to him: Why are the Nebraska Cornhuskers like butter? ‘Cause they’re on a ROLL, you So-Cal bozo!
September 7th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
The Huskers should win big this week at WF. I’m predicting a 41-10 win for the Huskers. Carlos Lundgren makes some great points but I don’t agree with him when he says we’ll finish outside the top 25 this season. Pederson might destroy tradition, pride, etc but were Nebraska and we dont have the type of team that will finish outside of the top 25. This years team is good no matter who is coaching or is the athletic director. We have talent this season.