Osborne Fires Callahan
Husker coach's career ends after four years, 27-22 record
by Samuel McKewon
November 24, 2007
It was an execution at dawn.
Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne fired Coach Bill Callahan at 7:30 Saturday morning during a meeting at Memorial Stadium, one day after the Cornhuskers lost 65-51 to Colorado and, at 5-7, completed its worst season since 1961.
"We went 43 seasons without a losing season," Osborne said at a press conference two hours later. "In the last four years, we had two...At what point do you still have credibility with the public? At what point can you still have a powerful impact on your own players? There comes a point when it becomes dicey. I didn’t want to see Bill in that position. I didn’t want to see the University of Nebraska in that position."
So it isn't. In Osborne's final analysis, Callahan just lost too many games by too great a margin in 2007. Five of the seven losses were by more than two touchdowns, and several were complete embarrassments.
When the team was 4-4, Osborne said he provided "benchmarks" for Callahan. Win the last four, Osborne said, "and we've got no problem." Win three, and "something could be worked out." Win two, and it would be "an uphill battle." Win one or zero, and "I didn't think there is any way this will work."
The Huskers beat Kansas State 73-31. But they lost narrowly to Texas, got humiliated at Kansas, and were pummeled in the second half at Colorado. Just the one win.
"Until my last four seasons (as a coach) I never thought I'd survive a losing season," Osborne said.
Neither did Callahan, whose " whole life revolved around football," Osborne said.
"I like Bill Callahan," Osborne said. "I think he's a professional. At the same time, there was something missing."
Callahan was fired "without cause," which he means he's entitled to the terms of the contract extension he signed in mid-September. His firing, much like the dismissal of Athletic Director Steve Pederson, will cost Nebraska dearly, around $3.125 million for a contract that concluded at the end of the 2011 season. His assistants, meanwhile, had their contracts terminated, but some will stay on assist with recruiting; they're guaranteed a salary through January 2009.
The sacked coach arrived at Hawks Championship Center around 7:20 a.m. in a black Lexus SUV. Osborne drove in four minutes later. Callahan emerged from the complex ten minutes after that, waved to reporters, and drove away. By 8 a.m., all assistants met with Offensive Coordinator Shawn Watson and Osborne.
Osborne said the meeting with Callahan lasted five minutes, although he had scheduled it for 30. Callahan asked if he was fired. Osborne said he was.
"He probably felt that there wasn’t much to talk about and I also felt the same to some degree," Osborne said.
Osborne then met with assistants. They agreed to stay on during the search for a new coach, although Osborne mentioned that Defensive Coordinator Kevin Cosgrove "wants to spend time with his family."
A coaching search will begin immediately. Osborne mentioned that a third party had been contacting prospects to see if they'd be interested if there was a vacancy at NU. Osborne said he didn't know specifically who had been contacted or what their response was to the inquiry. Although Osborne wouldn't say who this third party was, it was confirmed by the Lincoln Journal-Star to be an Atlanta-based search firm, Baker, Parker and Associates.
"I want to move it along as fast as I can," Osborne said. "But I can't guarantee any timetable."
Email Samuel McKewon at sam@ne.statepaper.com
Osborne Fires Callahan
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