Eric the Red
Team HuskerBoard
Watson views rivalry from new angle
Ex-Buffs assistant expects emotional day facing old team
By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News
November 18, 2006
BOULDER - In November 2004, Shawn Watson sat on an idling team bus outside Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., not really believing what he was seeing or hearing.
For the second time in as many trips into the world of the Big Red, the Colorado Buffaloes had defeated the home team and were leaving Lincoln as Big 12 Conference North Division champions.
Some Cornhuskers fans, recalled Watson - then CU's offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach - "were knocking on the windows of the bus, saying, 'C'mon out, we'd like to meet you.' "
"That kind of thing, the standing ovations (for visiting teams), I didn't know if it was for real," said Watson, mindful of Nebraskans' infatuation with their teams, as well as their reputed contempt for CU.
"I was on the outside looking in. But what I heard was genuine; these people are good and fair. There's one show in town and they really embrace it. They're enthusiastic and passionate - and they show it year round."
Since the spring, when he was let go by CU and hired by Nebraska coach Bill Callahan, a longtime friend, Watson's view has shifted to inside looking out. It might not be as scenic as what he glimpsed from his office at the base of the Flatirons, but he is thankful to still be looking at the world through the eyes of a college coach.
Callahan brought Watson aboard as tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator, positions not affording Watson the responsibilities he had working for former coach Gary Barnett during seven seasons at CU - six of them as offensive coordinator.
Watson admits to missing "the leadership part. . . . Once you've been part of that, there's a void there." But Callahan has been "sensitive" enough to allow Watson's input into most offensive decisions considered by Callahan and coordinator Jay Norvell.
And being kept in the loop is important to Watson.
"When you let yourself be humble, you find yourself and let yourself grow," he said. "I came here with the right frame of mind - it wasn't about me, it was about learning more football and taking advantage of an opportunity to work with a guy I admire."
In the 1980s, Watson and Callahan were on Mike White's Illinois staff, at one point even sharing an office. Given their similar roots, their philosophies took similar shapes. Even their personalities are alike, Watson said.
While Watson's youngest son, Adam, was in a quandary about choosing a college - he was in line for some financial aid at a couple of smaller schools - Callahan told Watson to have the freshman safety walk on at Nebraska.
He did, allowing Watson to "switch from coach to dad a couple of times" when Adam has showed up well on scout teams.
"He would make a play and I'd think, 'Nice going, kid,' before I caught myself," Watson said. "It's been fun; I didn't get to see him play that much in high school."
CU visits No. 24 Nebraska on Friday (1:30 p.m. MST, KMGH-Channel 7), and Watson expects an emotional afternoon. His familiarity with many of the Buffs' players will make for "a very different day" on the sidelines.
"You give a place seven years of your life, you put a lot into it, and it creates a book mark in your life," he said. "Those kids that I left (at CU) went through a lot; the entire staff did. But I expect to put my game-day face on (Friday) and execute my job."
With CU's coaching change and different offensive/defensive systems installed, the Buffs aren't what Watson knew schematically. Still, Watson remembers volumes about CU's personnel, and as expected, Callahan has tapped into Watson's knowledge.
"It's pretty obvious I know those guys, but Bill understands," Watson said.
"He knows what I feel about those players. He handles things very classy; he knows where the line is."
Crossing it might be out of the question for any other game. For CU-Nebraska, it might be an easy step - even among the closest of friends.
brooksb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5466
Ex-Buffs assistant expects emotional day facing old team
By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News
November 18, 2006
BOULDER - In November 2004, Shawn Watson sat on an idling team bus outside Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., not really believing what he was seeing or hearing.
For the second time in as many trips into the world of the Big Red, the Colorado Buffaloes had defeated the home team and were leaving Lincoln as Big 12 Conference North Division champions.
Some Cornhuskers fans, recalled Watson - then CU's offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach - "were knocking on the windows of the bus, saying, 'C'mon out, we'd like to meet you.' "
"That kind of thing, the standing ovations (for visiting teams), I didn't know if it was for real," said Watson, mindful of Nebraskans' infatuation with their teams, as well as their reputed contempt for CU.
"I was on the outside looking in. But what I heard was genuine; these people are good and fair. There's one show in town and they really embrace it. They're enthusiastic and passionate - and they show it year round."
Since the spring, when he was let go by CU and hired by Nebraska coach Bill Callahan, a longtime friend, Watson's view has shifted to inside looking out. It might not be as scenic as what he glimpsed from his office at the base of the Flatirons, but he is thankful to still be looking at the world through the eyes of a college coach.
Callahan brought Watson aboard as tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator, positions not affording Watson the responsibilities he had working for former coach Gary Barnett during seven seasons at CU - six of them as offensive coordinator.
Watson admits to missing "the leadership part. . . . Once you've been part of that, there's a void there." But Callahan has been "sensitive" enough to allow Watson's input into most offensive decisions considered by Callahan and coordinator Jay Norvell.
And being kept in the loop is important to Watson.
"When you let yourself be humble, you find yourself and let yourself grow," he said. "I came here with the right frame of mind - it wasn't about me, it was about learning more football and taking advantage of an opportunity to work with a guy I admire."
In the 1980s, Watson and Callahan were on Mike White's Illinois staff, at one point even sharing an office. Given their similar roots, their philosophies took similar shapes. Even their personalities are alike, Watson said.
While Watson's youngest son, Adam, was in a quandary about choosing a college - he was in line for some financial aid at a couple of smaller schools - Callahan told Watson to have the freshman safety walk on at Nebraska.
He did, allowing Watson to "switch from coach to dad a couple of times" when Adam has showed up well on scout teams.
"He would make a play and I'd think, 'Nice going, kid,' before I caught myself," Watson said. "It's been fun; I didn't get to see him play that much in high school."
CU visits No. 24 Nebraska on Friday (1:30 p.m. MST, KMGH-Channel 7), and Watson expects an emotional afternoon. His familiarity with many of the Buffs' players will make for "a very different day" on the sidelines.
"You give a place seven years of your life, you put a lot into it, and it creates a book mark in your life," he said. "Those kids that I left (at CU) went through a lot; the entire staff did. But I expect to put my game-day face on (Friday) and execute my job."
With CU's coaching change and different offensive/defensive systems installed, the Buffs aren't what Watson knew schematically. Still, Watson remembers volumes about CU's personnel, and as expected, Callahan has tapped into Watson's knowledge.
"It's pretty obvious I know those guys, but Bill understands," Watson said.
"He knows what I feel about those players. He handles things very classy; he knows where the line is."
Crossing it might be out of the question for any other game. For CU-Nebraska, it might be an easy step - even among the closest of friends.
brooksb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5466
