Keep Callahan; revamp the staff.

[secretasianman]

In Tom Osborne's books, he talks about how society today is too quick to judge, expects instant results, demands perfection and lacks forgiveness. I think that it is important to remember those things as we look at Bill Callahan.

 

I feel that Callahan should revamp his staff and be given another 1-2 years. The stark defect of this year's team has been the defense--plays, effort and schemes. Imagine this season if we had a better defense. When your defense gives up points, and the offense has to play from behind, it limits your playbook and changes the gameplan, and the mindset of the players. It's not easy to be under that pressure and have a successful offense. With a better defense, I think 3 of the losses could have been wins.

I think about the Solich era, and how under Craig Bohl, the defense was mediocre, but with Pelini, they shined. Solich was not a motivator, but Pelini fired up that defense. In one year, that defense was transformed!! Perhaps Callahan should be afforded that opportunity. A revamped defensive staff could work wonders. Coaches always seem to hire who they know, and he probably thought that his selections were good coaches that could do well here. Do we fire a guy for an oversight, or mistake that can be corrected? Most people hated Charlie McBride until the mid 90s. Heck, alot of people hated Osborne for that matter until the mid 90s.

 

Osborne's offense had evolved throughout his coaching career. Callahan should be given that same opportunity. With Ganz controlling the offense, we're seeing that perhaps a mobile QB, rather than the "pocket NFL QB" is a better fit for this scheme. Maybe Callahan will target mobile QB's for the future.

It's true that he hasn't made the best playcalling decisions, but it's so easy to be the Monday morning QB. If most of his trick plays had worked, he'd be called an genius! Maybe he isn't the best playcaller, but you have to remember, it's easy to criticize after the fact. Just as Solich was given an opportunity to have an offensive coordinator, perhaps Callahan would benefit from utilizing Watson more, or with new ideas from a new offensive coach-- maybe Callahan and staff could develop an even more dynamic offense and better play selection. Simple things like more two-back sets, or utilizing the mobile QB could really intensify the running game. This offense can work well, and this staff has recruited playmakers on offense.

 

Now, the gray area. I think that we look at Callahan's actions and statements and try to over-analyze everything towards what he "really meant" or what he's really saying. The guy just simply can't win around here. He accredits some of Joe Ganz's success to being a product of the system-- and everybody calls Callahan an arrogant s.o.b. for taking the credit. Well, last I checked, Ganz didn't teach himself everything that he showed the last 2 Saturdays.

Callahan is never given the benefit of the doubt in the "gray areas"-- like walking off the field at KU and "snubbing Osborne"-- he honestly may not have seen Osborne, yet a news station makes it "breaking news". The erasing of tradition like walk-ons, and the pictures of the All-Americans, ex players being allowed to visit-- cannot be entirely attributed to Callahan. It's probably all Pedersen, yet Callahan doesn't catch a break in that regard. The way Callahan runs his program was definitely guided by Pedersen. With Osborne in charge, maybe he can help Callahan understand the tradition better and reintroduce it. If Pedersen wanted it erased, why do we expect Callahan to uphold it?

 

The bottom line here is that he's only had 4 years. Until this year, things have been progressing each year. With a better defense, we could have been 8-3 at this point possibly. Because things progressed each year, perhaps the call for change by Callahan himself didn't exist. Maybe now, if given the chance, he'd revamp his staff/schemes and we'd see some change. He probably realizes now that he needs to make changes to succeed. Look at when Osborne started to recruit speed and when they junked the 5-2 for the 4-3-- huge results from those changes. The success of the 90s was from changes on the defensive side of the ball. Why shouldn't Callahan be afforded that opportunity?

 

Funny how Osborne is revered, yet if you look at his total bowl record, or his total record vs ranked teams-- it would surprise you.

 

In his book "On Solid Ground", Osborne writes, "what each of us does with a second chance is up to us." I think we need to be more patient and forgiving with Callahan.

[Landlord]

I thought I was the only one...

 

 

Good post.

[westgatehusker]

5-4, 8-4, 9-5, and the year when we have all the players and everything's in place 5-6. nuff said. Bottom line is he's lost this team and sounds like a defeated man the past five weeks

 

 

if if's and but's were candy and nut's everyday would be christmas

 

 

but good post I'll give you respect for that, though I disagree with you

[Dundermifflinite]

giant...text...wall....

can't...do...it....

[freemason9]

In Tom Osborne's books, he talks about how society today is too quick to judge, expects instant results, demands perfection and lacks forgiveness. I think that it is important to remember those things as we look at Bill Callahan.

 

I feel that Callahan should revamp his staff and be given another 1-2 years. The stark defect of this year's team has been the defense--plays, effort and schemes. Imagine this season if we had a better defense. When your defense gives up points, and the offense has to play from behind, it limits your playbook and changes the gameplan, and the mindset of the players. It's not easy to be under that pressure and have a successful offense. With a better defense, I think 3 of the losses could have been wins.

I think about the Solich era, and how under Craig Bohl, the defense was mediocre, but with Pelini, they shined. Solich was not a motivator, but Pelini fired up that defense. In one year, that defense was transformed!! Perhaps Callahan should be afforded that opportunity. A revamped defensive staff could work wonders. Coaches always seem to hire who they know, and he probably thought that his selections were good coaches that could do well here. Do we fire a guy for an oversight, or mistake that can be corrected? Most people hated Charlie McBride until the mid 90s. Heck, alot of people hated Osborne for that matter until the mid 90s.

 

Osborne's offense had evolved throughout his coaching career. Callahan should be given that same opportunity. With Ganz controlling the offense, we're seeing that perhaps a mobile QB, rather than the "pocket NFL QB" is a better fit for this scheme. Maybe Callahan will target mobile QB's for the future.

It's true that he hasn't made the best playcalling decisions, but it's so easy to be the Monday morning QB. If most of his trick plays had worked, he'd be called an genius! Maybe he isn't the best playcaller, but you have to remember, it's easy to criticize after the fact. Just as Solich was given an opportunity to have an offensive coordinator, perhaps Callahan would benefit from utilizing Watson more, or with new ideas from a new offensive coach-- maybe Callahan and staff could develop an even more dynamic offense and better play selection. Simple things like more two-back sets, or utilizing the mobile QB could really intensify the running game. This offense can work well, and this staff has recruited playmakers on offense.

 

Now, the gray area. I think that we look at Callahan's actions and statements and try to over-analyze everything towards what he "really meant" or what he's really saying. The guy just simply can't win around here. He accredits some of Joe Ganz's success to being a product of the system-- and everybody calls Callahan an arrogant s.o.b. for taking the credit. Well, last I checked, Ganz didn't teach himself everything that he showed the last 2 Saturdays.

Callahan is never given the benefit of the doubt in the "gray areas"-- like walking off the field at KU and "snubbing Osborne"-- he honestly may not have seen Osborne, yet a news station makes it "breaking news". The erasing of tradition like walk-ons, and the pictures of the All-Americans, ex players being allowed to visit-- cannot be entirely attributed to Callahan. It's probably all Pedersen, yet Callahan doesn't catch a break in that regard. The way Callahan runs his program was definitely guided by Pedersen. With Osborne in charge, maybe he can help Callahan understand the tradition better and reintroduce it. If Pedersen wanted it erased, why do we expect Callahan to uphold it?

 

The bottom line here is that he's only had 4 years. Until this year, things have been progressing each year. With a better defense, we could have been 8-3 at this point possibly. Because things progressed each year, perhaps the call for change by Callahan himself didn't exist. Maybe now, if given the chance, he'd revamp his staff/schemes and we'd see some change. He probably realizes now that he needs to make changes to succeed. Look at when Osborne started to recruit speed and when they junked the 5-2 for the 4-3-- huge results from those changes. The success of the 90s was from changes on the defensive side of the ball. Why shouldn't Callahan be afforded that opportunity?

 

Funny how Osborne is revered, yet if you look at his total bowl record, or his total record vs ranked teams-- it would surprise you.

 

In his book "On Solid Ground", Osborne writes, "what each of us does with a second chance is up to us." I think we need to be more patient and forgiving with Callahan.

 

And don't forget that these seniors are graduating. There might actually be some team leadership developing next year.

[trouble]

I used to agree with you, until I realized what kind of person Callahan is. Get him out of here and bring in someone who isnt an arrogant ass. If Callahan actually gave a sh#t he would have made changes a long time ago to his coaching staff. He has had his chance, now GTFO.

[hskernation]

I thought I was the only one...

 

 

Good post.

 

 

I really thought I was the only one too. It may be easier to get a great head coach next year anyway, there potentially could be a lot of big name schools out there to snag the coaching talent. Wait a year, see what happens.

plus, the offense really isn't awful, they just sputter when the d falls a part

[HuskerNCo]

Nice post. Makes sense. We'll see what THE Tom Osborne has in store for us in a few weeks won't we.

 

Oh and fyi...Be prepared to be slammed.

[VA Husker Fan]

He's not a good head coach. The team has not been behind him for most of the year. He lost his team in Oakland. The proof is there. You just have to see it.

 

You like his offense, demote him to offensive coordinator. That's the only scenario I could possibly stomach, and I question that. I'm sure he wouldn't accept it anyway.

[huskernumerouno]

Good post and something to think about.

[Bleeding Husker Red]

In Tom Osborne's books, he talks about how society today is too quick to judge, expects instant results, demands perfection and lacks forgiveness. I think that it is important to remember those things as we look at Bill Callahan.

 

I feel that Callahan should revamp his staff and be given another 1-2 years. The stark defect of this year's team has been the defense--plays, effort and schemes. Imagine this season if we had a better defense. When your defense gives up points, and the offense has to play from behind, it limits your playbook and changes the gameplan, and the mindset of the players. It's not easy to be under that pressure and have a successful offense. With a better defense, I think 3 of the losses could have been wins.

I think about the Solich era, and how under Craig Bohl, the defense was mediocre, but with Pelini, they shined. Solich was not a motivator, but Pelini fired up that defense. In one year, that defense was transformed!! Perhaps Callahan should be afforded that opportunity. A revamped defensive staff could work wonders. Coaches always seem to hire who they know, and he probably thought that his selections were good coaches that could do well here. Do we fire a guy for an oversight, or mistake that can be corrected? Most people hated Charlie McBride until the mid 90s. Heck, alot of people hated Osborne for that matter until the mid 90s.

 

Osborne's offense had evolved throughout his coaching career. Callahan should be given that same opportunity. With Ganz controlling the offense, we're seeing that perhaps a mobile QB, rather than the "pocket NFL QB" is a better fit for this scheme. Maybe Callahan will target mobile QB's for the future.

It's true that he hasn't made the best playcalling decisions, but it's so easy to be the Monday morning QB. If most of his trick plays had worked, he'd be called an genius! Maybe he isn't the best playcaller, but you have to remember, it's easy to criticize after the fact. Just as Solich was given an opportunity to have an offensive coordinator, perhaps Callahan would benefit from utilizing Watson more, or with new ideas from a new offensive coach-- maybe Callahan and staff could develop an even more dynamic offense and better play selection. Simple things like more two-back sets, or utilizing the mobile QB could really intensify the running game. This offense can work well, and this staff has recruited playmakers on offense.

 

Now, the gray area. I think that we look at Callahan's actions and statements and try to over-analyze everything towards what he "really meant" or what he's really saying. The guy just simply can't win around here. He accredits some of Joe Ganz's success to being a product of the system-- and everybody calls Callahan an arrogant s.o.b. for taking the credit. Well, last I checked, Ganz didn't teach himself everything that he showed the last 2 Saturdays.

Callahan is never given the benefit of the doubt in the "gray areas"-- like walking off the field at KU and "snubbing Osborne"-- he honestly may not have seen Osborne, yet a news station makes it "breaking news". The erasing of tradition like walk-ons, and the pictures of the All-Americans, ex players being allowed to visit-- cannot be entirely attributed to Callahan. It's probably all Pedersen, yet Callahan doesn't catch a break in that regard. The way Callahan runs his program was definitely guided by Pedersen. With Osborne in charge, maybe he can help Callahan understand the tradition better and reintroduce it. If Pedersen wanted it erased, why do we expect Callahan to uphold it?

 

The bottom line here is that he's only had 4 years. Until this year, things have been progressing each year. With a better defense, we could have been 8-3 at this point possibly. Because things progressed each year, perhaps the call for change by Callahan himself didn't exist. Maybe now, if given the chance, he'd revamp his staff/schemes and we'd see some change. He probably realizes now that he needs to make changes to succeed. Look at when Osborne started to recruit speed and when they junked the 5-2 for the 4-3-- huge results from those changes. The success of the 90s was from changes on the defensive side of the ball. Why shouldn't Callahan be afforded that opportunity?

 

Funny how Osborne is revered, yet if you look at his total bowl record, or his total record vs ranked teams-- it would surprise you.

 

In his book "On Solid Ground", Osborne writes, "what each of us does with a second chance is up to us." I think we need to be more patient and forgiving with Callahan.

 

 

Some wisdom here. But it's really probably too late. If Billy C hadn't distanced himself from TO in the beginning he would have learned from him and not be in the position he is now.

 

But like I said in another thread...Pederson COULD have given him better advice and guidance and didn't. He could have gotten BC and TO together and didn't. Pederson was one of us and should have known these things...BC was a newcomer and couldn't have known if nobody told him. Now it's likely a moot point. And that's sad.

 

It might be best to just pay him his money, make a clean break, wish him luck in his next position and let the last four years become a distant memory for both sides. Maybe one day Husker Nation can even forgive him. Maybe he can forgive as well.

[knapplc]

I am consistently amazed that the blind Callahan supporters do not recognize a man who has no idea what being a Husker is all about.

 

Think of the level of alienation our past great players and coaches are feeling towards this program under Callahan's rule. This is all Callahan's doing, and you want to give him more time? Why?

 

secretasianman, every single thing you said could be said about any other coach in the nation. All you did was prove there is nothing special about Bill Callahan. Do you even realize that?

 

So you want to give him another year or two? Why? So he can drive even more longtime supporters away? So he can destroy even more records? So he can set Nebraska football even further behind?

 

I really, really don't get all the love for Bill Callahan. What has he added to this program? What?

 

Can anyone tell me that?

[HuskerPharaoh]

I shared this sentiment until a couple of weeks ago. Callahan made it fairly clear that he would not make changes to his staff and handles those tough decisions. He also alienated many people in recent weeks with his comments (e.g., "I have done an excellent job...", "...too complicated...") and therefore done too much damage to his image and relationship with fans.

 

Callahan was also refused to let Joe Ganz play earlier in the season when his offense was not working -- not saying Joe would have made a difference, but what was being done was not working and a change, even for 1 quarter, was needed.

 

The attitude, the meltdown on the field, etc. I just cannot see it working out now.

[trouble]

I am consistently amazed that the blind Callahan supporters do not recognize a man who has no idea what being a Husker is all about.

 

Think of the level of alienation our past great players and coaches are feeling towards this program under Callahan's rule. This is all Callahan's doing, and you want to give him more time? Why?

 

secretasianman, every single thing you said could be said about any other coach in the nation. All you did was prove there is nothing special about Bill Callahan. Do you even realize that?

 

So you want to give him another year or two? Why? So he can drive even more longtime supporters away? So he can destroy even more records? So he can set Nebraska football even further behind?

 

I really, really don't get all the love for Bill Callahan. What has he added to this program? What?

 

Can anyone tell me that?

 

He has added a lot of new records to the books and a 73 point EXPLOSION against KSU...

[Dan_F_30]

Ya, I could see TO bringing him back IF Billy C did not act like an ass to TO and to the media. I said it before. There are too many bridges that have been burned between BC and TO, BC and the Fans, the Fans and BC. His offense does work but he is too bull-headed to change any of his coaches and that is going to be his downfall. His buddy coz took him down, I believe if Coz wasn't here Nebraska would be 6-5 now maybe 7-4. The D just ruined his chances this year to compete and then he wouldn't admit that the problems were with his defensive staff. Just my opinion though...