DingoAteYourBaby

I don't think any coach would sign a contract that put a stipulation on number of wins by when. Agreed there is no way a coach would go for this, and the way he has it if you win 5 in your first year you out also. you would have to pay millions a year to even try this, and we would be the worst team in the nation with this.... Then look at my suggestion as something that changes and modifications can be made to. Since you seem to know so much about what coaches would and would not agree to, let's hear your 2 cents. I'm a firm believer that somewhere expectations need to be written down and have a coach held accountable to them. Would you agree to a job contract that put a finite amount on a job you have to do that may be above what you deemed successful or else you are fired with no questions asked? What if they have a down year from graduating a lot of seniors or his best players leave to the NFL? Then they have a rebuilding year and DO NOT make the stipulations, then they are fired. And you can't just "modify" the contract when it is convenient to keep a coach around because you like the direction the program is going even though they didn't win your stipulated amount of games, because then you have to "modify" it back when you aren't happy with the results. Nobody is going to agree to a contract that states in stone the win/loss record that must be achieved or you are fired because a lot of coaches (and fans) think there is more to success than win/loss. Nebraska would be a laughing stock if they stipulated that in a contract and would have a hard time finding anyone to take them seriously. The evaluation period has to be taken in context on a year in/year out basis by a board within the athletic department that gauges success on many different fronts and takes into account what is going on in the program at that time. You get yourself into trouble when you put such a black and white ultimatum on expectations. First off, people sign contracts every day with stipulations. Anyone in sales signs contracts with stipulations. They are given X amount of dollars for base salary. Then the contract is laced with incentives. If the person accepting the job within 2 to 3 years isn't bringing in a big enough volume through sales to even meet the base salary, they are fired or let go. This is common place in business particularly in service based jobs. Second, trying to compare KU football to NU football is absurd. When was the last time KU was ranked before Manigino stepped in? When was the last time they made a bowl game before Mangino? When was the last time they even had a winning record before Mangino? Clownahan didn't take over a team that wasn't used to winning. He took over a team that was rated the year before with a top 20 defense. If you want to compare NU football to something in Kansas, try comparing it to KU basketball. See how long any coach would last as KU's basketball coach with a 57% winning percentage. If KU didn't make the post season tournament 2 out of 4 years, their coach would be out on the street. IMO, makeing a bowl game is easier than making the NCAA BBall tournament. There is a real possibility we won't make a bowl game this year making it 2 out of 4 years. Ya, and I also stated in a later post that incentives are a better idea and will motivate a coach more than fearing reprimandation for not hitting the 9 win mark every year. Also, no one has addressed my question if you put these stipulations that were suggested by Dingo (9 wins by season 3 and no less from there on out or you are fired) in that require a new coach to coach to the same or better level than TO (Who is the best college football coach in the history of the sport) then how do you expect to get anyone to sign it? You can not go around telling your candidates,"Hey, you know TO? He won at least 9 games every year. He's one of the best college football coaches of all time. You need to perform to that level or higher or you are fired." Does that sound stupid to anyone else? In effect you are telling the new coach, he has to be one of the best college football coaches of all time or else he is fired. That's my problem with basing a football contract on cut and dry marks or you are fired. Sales doesn't have an injured star player, or a suspended key player that could ruin it's chance at making the mark, football does. I'm telling ya buddy, it's not stupid at all. Matter of fact it would be most effective if TO himself sat across the table from a candidate and told him: "I won 9 games a season, you can at least do that, right?" Yes, TO is one of the greatest college coaches of all time, now it's time for us to find the next one-of-the-great-coaches-of-all-time. Anything less and we're wasting our time. Hear me now, listen to me later; there are guys out there like that. There are coaches out there who will agree to meeting those standards. It happens all the time in business, it can happen here too.

Marv Alberts, he's a silly man.

How'd you know my name was Bubba? I uh, didn't know your name was bubba. I just like that name, that's all. OK Man, this is a negotiation and I'm willing to give on certian things. Maybe we should re-structure this agreement to read more like: Base Salary is $x. If you win 6 - 8 games in regular season play, you get paid $x much. If you win 9+ games in regular season you get an additional $x. If you win big 12 title game $x bonus. Bowl game bonus if not result of big 12 title game $x National Championship bonus $x. The conversations ensuing prior to any offer made, the candidate should be made very aware that the expectations of the Athletic Department, University, Student Athletes, Alumni, Boosters and the fans in general that worst case scenerio we go 9 - 3 and go to a bowl game. Best case we win the national championship. Anywhere in between you're doing OK. Anything less than that and investigations and inquires are going to be made as well as a thourough performance evaluation, hint hint. (I'm not saying wack him right away, but work is going to be awfully uncomfortable unitl he rights the ship). I assume that we agree on principle about rebuilding of walk-on program, recruiting on skill positions, behaviour during press interviews and strength and conditioning programs?? Also, I have to point out that in the business world, pay and tenure of job are very often tied to performance objectives. I'm in sales, and if I don't hit my number I don't keep my job. CEO's contracts are very often tied to things like stock price, Price/Earnings ratio, EBITDA, etc... etc... We do it in big business where CEO's get paid millions of dollars a year, I don't see why it can't be applied to sports coaching jobs where they get paid millions of dollars a year. Do you think it's easier for a CEO to control stock price in a bad year than it is for a coach to control egress of players to NFL, injuries, loss of coaching staff, etc...? No coach is ever going to be perfect, but there needs to be some teeth in the contract where we can protect ourselves and have an out if we need it. I'd like to have a coach who has got the guts to agree to something difficult and exceed expectations. I want a tiger who is all full of piss and vinegar, who'll motivate the players and be a good ambassador for the university.

I don't think any coach would sign a contract that put a stipulation on number of wins by when. Agreed there is no way a coach would go for this, and the way he has it if you win 5 in your first year you out also. you would have to pay millions a year to even try this, and we would be the worst team in the nation with this.... Then look at my suggestion as something that changes and modifications can be made to. Since you seem to know so much about what coaches would and would not agree to, let's hear your 2 cents. I'm a firm believer that somewhere expectations need to be written down and have a coach held accountable to them. Would you agree to a job contract that put a finite amount on a job you have to do that may be above what you deemed successful or else you are fired with no questions asked? What if they have a down year from graduating a lot of seniors or his best players leave to the NFL? Then they have a rebuilding year and DO NOT make the stipulations, then they are fired. And you can't just "modify" the contract when it is convenient to keep a coach around because you like the direction the program is going even though they didn't win your stipulated amount of games, because then you have to "modify" it back when you aren't happy with the results. Nobody is going to agree to a contract that states in stone the win/loss record that must be achieved or you are fired because a lot of coaches (and fans) think there is more to success than win/loss. Nebraska would be a laughing stock if they stipulated that in a contract and would have a hard time finding anyone to take them seriously. The evaluation period has to be taken in context on a year in/year out basis by a board within the athletic department that gauges success on many different fronts and takes into account what is going on in the program at that time. You get yourself into trouble when you put such a black and white ultimatum on expectations. I would agree to such a contract if I thought I could do the job. Never once did I suggest that the contract be "modified" after it was signed. I'm throwing an example out there of how a coach should be held accountable for his actions and that certain milestones should be put into place to ensure a winning program. I'm not an expert on contract law, nor am I an attorney. If you don't think this is possible or even plausible, then tell us how an agreement between coach and university should work. What kind of performance metrics do you think that OU uses to evaluate Bob Stoops? How about Urban Meyer? Jim Tressel? I already said,"The evaluation period has to be taken in context on a year in/year out basis by a board within the athletic department and the AD that gauges success on many different fronts and takes into account what is going on in the program at that time." I can almost guarantee that in none of their contracts have a stipulation that they make a BCS bowl by the fourth year but I can not prove it. If it did though, that would be news and have been reported. And when you say: when do you suggest modifying a contract if it's not after it's signed. That's the definition of modification, from the original. A contract that is changed before it is signed is not modified because it is still the original. You only modify original, HENCE modify after it's signed. Also, what if the coaches star QB gets hurt in the third year and he can not win 9 games? You fire him according to you. Or any other myriad of injuries that could happen or players be suspended because of grades. The best way is to have people close to the situation evaluate, which is the way I understand any program does it. I am saying that my original suggestion can be changed, modified, morphed, or whatever BEFORE it becomes a contract. I'm just throwing something out there to work on as a base. Second of all, you missed the part I wrote about This indicates that said coach does not have to be fired but will be disciplined. You asked me what I wanted to see as a fan, and this is it bubba. I want to see milestones, achievable goals, and agreed upon expectations. For the 25 years Osborne was coach he always won at least 9 games and we always went to a bowl game. If you don't think we can get anyone who can agree to at least matching what TO did, then let's just keep Callahan around a while longer. If they don't win 9 games they don't have to be fired, but punished. Tie it to money if you have to. But don't take a look at what I wrote and think it's all hard and fast. There are mitigating circumstances simetimes and that should be taken into consideration.

I don't think any coach would sign a contract that put a stipulation on number of wins by when. Agreed there is no way a coach would go for this, and the way he has it if you win 5 in your first year you out also. you would have to pay millions a year to even try this, and we would be the worst team in the nation with this.... Then look at my suggestion as something that changes and modifications can be made to. Since you seem to know so much about what coaches would and would not agree to, let's hear your 2 cents. I'm a firm believer that somewhere expectations need to be written down and have a coach held accountable to them. Would you agree to a job contract that put a finite amount on a job you have to do that may be above what you deemed successful or else you are fired with no questions asked? What if they have a down year from graduating a lot of seniors or his best players leave to the NFL? Then they have a rebuilding year and DO NOT make the stipulations, then they are fired. And you can't just "modify" the contract when it is convenient to keep a coach around because you like the direction the program is going even though they didn't win your stipulated amount of games, because then you have to "modify" it back when you aren't happy with the results. Nobody is going to agree to a contract that states in stone the win/loss record that must be achieved or you are fired because a lot of coaches (and fans) think there is more to success than win/loss. Nebraska would be a laughing stock if they stipulated that in a contract and would have a hard time finding anyone to take them seriously. The evaluation period has to be taken in context on a year in/year out basis by a board within the athletic department that gauges success on many different fronts and takes into account what is going on in the program at that time. You get yourself into trouble when you put such a black and white ultimatum on expectations. I would agree to such a contract if I thought I could do the job. Never once did I suggest that the contract be "modified" after it was signed. I'm throwing an example out there of how a coach should be held accountable for his actions and that certain milestones should be put into place to ensure a winning program. I'm not an expert on contract law, nor am I an attorney. If you don't think this is possible or even plausible, then tell us how an agreement between coach and university should work. What kind of performance metrics do you think that OU uses to evaluate Bob Stoops? How about Urban Meyer? Jim Tressel?

I don't think any coach would sign a contract that put a stipulation on number of wins by when. Agreed there is no way a coach would go for this, and the way he has it if you win 5 in your first year you out also. you would have to pay millions a year to even try this, and we would be the worst team in the nation with this.... Then look at my suggestion as something that changes and modifications can be made to. Since you seem to know so much about what coaches would and would not agree to, let's hear your 2 cents. I'm a firm believer that somewhere expectations need to be written down and have a coach held accountable to them.

BC is gone baby gone. I think by now it's a foregone conclusion.

so in the hypothetical scenario, our coach at year one and 2-10 and second year at 6-7 is ok. year three at 4-7 he'd be out having not reached the 9 win threshold. Everyone I've asked has said year three, he's gone. No, I mean 1st season coach wins at least 6 games, 6-6, or 6-7. Second year the same, need to win at least 6 games. 3rd year, need to win 9 games, or he's out.

This question is definitely fodder for the "rumorville" category. I live in Denver, and sources close to me tell me that the guys are not practicing in full pads and they haven't done any squats or leg presses since before the start of the season because Bill Cal thinks it leads to groin injuries. My sources tell me that these are unsubstantiated allegations, just wondering if any other Husker fans in Lincoln or surrounding areas have heard the same things???

This is an excellent question, since it brings about one of the most important factors in any job - accountability. Which obviously Callahan doesn't think he has. Anyway, I'm going to give this from the perspective of hiring a new coach, because that's the situation we're looking at. 1. The first two years are going to be rebuilding years, getting your own players, teaching them your system, etc.... So I'll understand if it's rough but should win at *least* 6 games in each of those 2 seasons. Not only that, recruiting needs to be extremely important to say the least. Need to recruit top ranked players for skill positions. Need to bring back the walk-on program to it's former strength. 2. Need to have an intense strength and conditioning program. We need to get back to playing very physically dominating football. 3. By the coaches third season, the coach will need to have notched 9 wins under his belt, go to the big 12 title game and make a decent, strong showing, not like last year. It's ok to lose as long as the team looks like it actually came out of the locker room for the second half. 4. By their fourth year they should be in contention for a BCS bowl game, if not the national championship. 5. Moving forward, they need to hold up to the same standards we were used to when T.O. was coaching. NO LESS THAN 9 wins per season, period. If they fall below that mark appropriate disciplinary action will be taken, up to and including termination. Past performance will be evaluated when deciding what the aforementioned punitive action will be. It needs to be understood that 9 wins per season is the MINIMUM EXPECTATION. 6. When talking to the press, it's that the player(s) played hard and did an excellent job. Be humble and quick to give the credit to all of your supporting staff and players. I don't want to hear any more of this "product of the system" crap. Admit when you make mistakes and own up to them, including ANY AND ALL LOSSES. 7. If during first half play: A. the offense scores on every possession, AND B. Every time the defense walks on the field the opposing offense is 3 and out - if those conditions are met then you don't need to make halftime adjustments, otherwise you do regardless of what is on the scoreboard. Everything else should fall into place after that, provided the coach achieves all these objectives and continues to put out a consistent body of quality work. THESE EXPECTATIONS NEED TO BE WRITTEN INTO THEIR CONTRACT. It's there in black and white, very measurable, and you signed your name agreeing to meeting these expectations. Did you or did you not do these things? If you can't do it, we'll get someone else.

OK, he does make some good points about something fundamentally being wrong with this team. Maybe it is mental, because right now they're not playing like a team. I think Callahan is a great recruiter, but he's not getting it done on the field. I look at guys like Stoops, Pete Carroll, and even Dan Hawkins and they're pretty animated on the sideline. I look at Callahan, and he's looking at his clipboard. A really good coach is the kind of guy that can motivate a team of players to really *believe* that they can do great things. The Huskers don't have that. There is no energy on the sideline. At this point in time we need to be seeing more measurable results from Callahan, and we're not. Is this how he repays Pederson's loyalty, by coaching a team that never mentally exits the locker room? NU hired Callahan with the intent of putting us back on the national radar screen and he's not getting it done. There is accountability here. This is the big show, it's Division I NCAA football. If the players are in a mental funk, then it's up to the coaching staff to help them get beyond that, and I'm not sure that the current staff has what it takes to do so. Maybe the next guy after Callahan will fail, but it will be one more step toward a winning program. Bill Callahan has had enough time to prove himself and what he can do for this program. More appropriately, he's proven what he can't do for this program.