For those of us who are old farts like ARhusker :lol: and me, it shouldn't be a big shock to "us" if Osborne kept him. We Baby Boomers lived through the Osborne years and have a better idea of his pattern of behavior. He is not a hatchet man -- he is clearly not the firing type of person.
While I would think B.C. is gone, this is Tom Osborne, former football coach, we are talking about. He has a much better understanding of the game than over 95 percent of the A.D.s out there. And based on his personality and past behavior, he is probably about the only A.D. that would leave a crack in the door open.
AR, are you with me on this. I'm not saying Osborne would keep him, but if there is an A.D. out there who would, it would be Osborne. He has such a deep thought process, and he makes decisions in a very careful manner. He doesn't like to make drastic decisions.
Agree 100%. Guys, Osborne will be considering a number of factors. First and foremost, he'll look at how Callahan has run the program from an integrity perspective. And like him or not, Callahan's done a good job there. He's recruited good character guys, removed or disciplined bad-character guys, maintained the academics, not done anything to even bring a hint of NCAA investigation, etc. (and yes, that's the way it's been at NU for decades, but that doesn't negate the fact that Callahan could have easily recruited only thugs and kept them on the team, or bent the recruiting rules, and so on).
Second, I feel that Osborne will look to the overall state of the program. And in doing so, he will look at factors that include continuity. Of all the coaches in the nation, Osborne more than any other understands the need for continuity and stability.
I really feel that won-loss records are not as important to Osborne as the first two items. I would bet London to a bucket of spit that he feels that if the first two above are present, any other issues can be corrected. If Callahan is open in stating that changes need to be made, and outlines what those changes are (and assuming they make sense), I think Osborne might consider keeping Callahan. If Callahan were to ask Osborne for input and, even better, take Osborne up on some of his suggestions, I think Osborne mignt consider keeping Callahan (and I'm not necessarily speaking of football so much as how to connect to Husker fans, how to be a good ambassador, etc.).
I am
not saying that I think he
will retain Callahan. However, like Spartness, I think that of all the ADs out there, Osborne is the one that would consider retaining Callahan.
I'd love to be able to sit down with Osborne after this is over and ask him what factors he considered and which ones weighed heaviest in whichever decision he makes. My gut says that everyone would be surprised by the answer.
