According to the Omaha World Herald, Bill Callahan doesn’t try to protect his players from mounting criticism. He doesn’t ask them to ignore news media coverage but to handle what they read or hear with character and poise.

“Players are human beings. They read the papers,” he said. “Good, bad or indifferent, you’re going to read it. You’re going to read good things about yourself and you’re going to read bad things, and it’s all how you handle it.

“If it affects you negatively or affects you dramatically, then don’t read it. If you can read it and not let it affect you, then God bless you.”

“People have their right, they have their opinion, and I respect that,” Callahan said. “In America, people expect excellence and that’s what we’re trying to achieve. And when you don’t achieve that, it’s tough. You’ve got to endure that.”

“I’m not naive,” he said. “I know there’s criticism out there - and I’m sure I’m at the heart of it. I’m just going to go back to work and prepare our football team better and continue on with the year.”

The coach is self aware. This is a good thing.

In all seriousness, I think Callahan is a smart guy. The problem is he may be too smart for our own good. Football is emotional. And Nebraskans are totally emotional about Husker football. It would therefore be wise for BC to get fired up. To cut the spin and breathe fire. Say, “I will NOT ACCEPT ANOTHER PEFORMANCE LIKE THIS from the Blackshirts.” And mean it.

Okay, so he’s a robot. What’re you gonna do? If you’re a Husker fan you’re going to also examine his ability to hire well, his leadership and communications skills, his decision making, planning, creativity, professional judgement and all the other things a CEO, or head coach in this case, must master.

Husker fans are the stakeholders in this enterprise known as Husker Nation. While booing (in whatever form it might take) might tarnish the Husker brand, it’s a reflection of the problems on the field. As always, it’s critical to address the problem, not the symptom. In this case, I think Callahan is trying to do that and for that I give him credit.