Eric the Red
Team HuskerBoard
Tom Shatel: Callahan's now in the family
BY TOM SHATEL
DALLAS - The story goes that Bill Callahan, and other NU coaches, were invited to play the Sand Hills Golf Club last summer. And Nebraska's football coach wanted to make an impression.
For two weeks, he took time each day to hit the driving range. He even had a description of all 18 holes at the Mullen, Neb., course sent to him. He studied each hole and its yardage, contours and hazards.
So the big day arrives, and Callahan steps to the first tee. And one of the members in the group hosting the coaches says, "Coach, here's what you want to do on this hole."
And Callahan says, "I know. I've studied this. You want to hit the drive there, then lay up there . . ." and so forth.
You get the idea. Callahan likes to be prepared. He's allergic to surprise.
But how do you prepare to be the head coach at the University of Nebraska?
You don't. You can say you know what it's all about. You can say you understand the tradition of the program, the passion of the fans, the power of the job. But you really can't.
"How can you know?" Callahan asked.
The topic came up the other day because it appears Callahan is finally beginning to understand the nuances of this job and the expectations of what a Nebraska football coach should do, other than win 10 games and play for a Big 12 and national championship.
This all came up earlier this month, after NU lost to Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game, and Callahan stunned everyone by falling on the sword and showing the pain.
Over and over, he repeated how upset he was with himself. He basically blamed himself for everything except property taxes in Nebraska.
It was over the top and out of left field. In three years, Callahan has left us scratching our heads, wondering what he's going to say and do next. This was the latest installment.
It was good to hear. But why now?
This is the apology Husker fans wanted to hear two years ago, when Callahan managed the team to a 5-6 season that broke a most sacred streak of winning seasons and bowl trips. Instead, he called the Colorado loss "one game, one season." Folks shook their heads.
This is the bleeding Husker fans wanted to see a year ago, when some were ready to jump off buildings after the debacle loss at Kansas. Or, the meltdown loss at Oklahoma State this season.
Is Callahan learning that there is more to this job than just winning? That fans want their coach to feel their pain? A coach who "gets" the culture and doesn't act like he's just passing through? A coach who has as much emotion invested into the endeavor as they do?
This just in: The coach says yes.
"I was really disappointed for the fans of Nebraska," Callahan said. "You work so hard to get to the point where they'll be proud of you and proud of what you're doing. You want it so bad you can taste it, and now it doesn't happen. I was very disappointed with that.
"I think in any experience you're involved in, as you go through it, you understand it more and more. You understand it better. I have a greater appreciation and understand the situation far better than I did when I first came here. You do the best you can. After being in it, unless you're inside, and you see it inside out, rather than outside in, it's much different."
It's natural. Nebraska football is a unique job, with its own flavor and way of doing business. But for many years, it was run like a family business.
Tom Osborne was in the program 10 years before he took over. Frank Solich was in the South Stadium trenches nearly 20 years before he was handed the keys. It takes time.
Callahan was learning this job on the run, much like his new players were learning the new playbook. Three years later, the recognition is evident. There are certain rules to this job.
I would be surprised if there are any more "Hillbilly" or "throat slash" incidents. And, if there are, I'll be surprised if the coach doesn't handle them head-on rather than with an attempted reverse.
There was a scene a month ago, after a Tuesday press conference in Lincoln. Callahan was surrounded by Big 12 news media types. He knew all their names. He was in good form, open and honest. He apologized for the remarks at the Oklahoma game two years ago. The news media types left with a whole new impression of the man. That wouldn't have happened as recently as last year.
Callahan is growing into this job. His emotional roots grow stronger, too, with each team and season.
"It's only natural," said Tim Cassidy, NU's director of football operations.
"But I think what you are seeing is a guy who has more invested in this program and the kids and the fans. He saw an opportunity to win a championship. He was disappointed for the seniors, for the fans. I don't think he was putting on a show. He feels the burden of that, he really does."
The Nebraska job is not for the meager. The demands are great, but so are the rewards. Maybe Callahan has learned that, too.
"When I came here, I based my decision on three things: Academic support system, recruiting and facilities," Callahan said. "I knew if we could recruit, we could have a chance to dominate the North, be in position to be in the (Big 12) championship game. And if you come out of the championship game with a win, you'd be in a great position to win a (national) championship.
"We're getting closer."
The program has made progress this year. So has the coach. Now all he has to do is win.
BY TOM SHATEL
DALLAS - The story goes that Bill Callahan, and other NU coaches, were invited to play the Sand Hills Golf Club last summer. And Nebraska's football coach wanted to make an impression.
For two weeks, he took time each day to hit the driving range. He even had a description of all 18 holes at the Mullen, Neb., course sent to him. He studied each hole and its yardage, contours and hazards.
So the big day arrives, and Callahan steps to the first tee. And one of the members in the group hosting the coaches says, "Coach, here's what you want to do on this hole."
And Callahan says, "I know. I've studied this. You want to hit the drive there, then lay up there . . ." and so forth.
You get the idea. Callahan likes to be prepared. He's allergic to surprise.
But how do you prepare to be the head coach at the University of Nebraska?
You don't. You can say you know what it's all about. You can say you understand the tradition of the program, the passion of the fans, the power of the job. But you really can't.
"How can you know?" Callahan asked.
The topic came up the other day because it appears Callahan is finally beginning to understand the nuances of this job and the expectations of what a Nebraska football coach should do, other than win 10 games and play for a Big 12 and national championship.
This all came up earlier this month, after NU lost to Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game, and Callahan stunned everyone by falling on the sword and showing the pain.
Over and over, he repeated how upset he was with himself. He basically blamed himself for everything except property taxes in Nebraska.
It was over the top and out of left field. In three years, Callahan has left us scratching our heads, wondering what he's going to say and do next. This was the latest installment.
It was good to hear. But why now?
This is the apology Husker fans wanted to hear two years ago, when Callahan managed the team to a 5-6 season that broke a most sacred streak of winning seasons and bowl trips. Instead, he called the Colorado loss "one game, one season." Folks shook their heads.
This is the bleeding Husker fans wanted to see a year ago, when some were ready to jump off buildings after the debacle loss at Kansas. Or, the meltdown loss at Oklahoma State this season.
Is Callahan learning that there is more to this job than just winning? That fans want their coach to feel their pain? A coach who "gets" the culture and doesn't act like he's just passing through? A coach who has as much emotion invested into the endeavor as they do?
This just in: The coach says yes.
"I was really disappointed for the fans of Nebraska," Callahan said. "You work so hard to get to the point where they'll be proud of you and proud of what you're doing. You want it so bad you can taste it, and now it doesn't happen. I was very disappointed with that.
"I think in any experience you're involved in, as you go through it, you understand it more and more. You understand it better. I have a greater appreciation and understand the situation far better than I did when I first came here. You do the best you can. After being in it, unless you're inside, and you see it inside out, rather than outside in, it's much different."
It's natural. Nebraska football is a unique job, with its own flavor and way of doing business. But for many years, it was run like a family business.
Tom Osborne was in the program 10 years before he took over. Frank Solich was in the South Stadium trenches nearly 20 years before he was handed the keys. It takes time.
Callahan was learning this job on the run, much like his new players were learning the new playbook. Three years later, the recognition is evident. There are certain rules to this job.
I would be surprised if there are any more "Hillbilly" or "throat slash" incidents. And, if there are, I'll be surprised if the coach doesn't handle them head-on rather than with an attempted reverse.
There was a scene a month ago, after a Tuesday press conference in Lincoln. Callahan was surrounded by Big 12 news media types. He knew all their names. He was in good form, open and honest. He apologized for the remarks at the Oklahoma game two years ago. The news media types left with a whole new impression of the man. That wouldn't have happened as recently as last year.
Callahan is growing into this job. His emotional roots grow stronger, too, with each team and season.
"It's only natural," said Tim Cassidy, NU's director of football operations.
"But I think what you are seeing is a guy who has more invested in this program and the kids and the fans. He saw an opportunity to win a championship. He was disappointed for the seniors, for the fans. I don't think he was putting on a show. He feels the burden of that, he really does."
The Nebraska job is not for the meager. The demands are great, but so are the rewards. Maybe Callahan has learned that, too.
"When I came here, I based my decision on three things: Academic support system, recruiting and facilities," Callahan said. "I knew if we could recruit, we could have a chance to dominate the North, be in position to be in the (Big 12) championship game. And if you come out of the championship game with a win, you'd be in a great position to win a (national) championship.
"We're getting closer."
The program has made progress this year. So has the coach. Now all he has to do is win.
