EZ-E, with you on all counts. Especially #6. Good summary.
Any chance you were one of the dozen or so Husker fans who (silently) protested Callahan's departure? Genuine question; not rhetorical.
Not really. I argued not so silently against it, and the circumstances under which it seemed like Bo was coming here, but I never wanted Callahan back over Bo.
I didn't think he should have been fired. I was sad that he was, as I thought he just needed a different DC, and that '07 was a breakdown/collapse of a season. I understand why a HC needs to take a fall if that happens on his watch, but I didn't think he was the root cause of it either. I still don't, but I do think he was in a position to take care of the program better, and didn't. I welcomed Bo with pretty open arms and he has exceeded all my expectations since. Appreciate especially the way he has taken control over the program as a HC. It's a style I appreciate more out of a college HC.
I didn't think Solich should have been fired either...
But for all of Callahan's failings as a
head coach, I still respect his contributions on offense a lot. People will point to production and such, but this is basically a philosophical matter, and I recognize it has been a struggle to produce with the kind of guys we have been pulling in. It has always been a solid system and I was afraid that was going to fall to pieces with Callahan's departure. It didn't, really, as thankfully Watson was retained, but what has fallen a lot is the OL, thanks to our new OL coach. Didn't really realize it then, but Callahan was basically the best in the business with regard to the boys in the trenches. Regardless of anything else we have taken an unfortunately huge step back in that department. As well as in the screen pass department, but I'm not really concerned with style of play.