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Well put! Pederson just needs to remenber to take Callahan with him.

I totally agree. I don't see Pederson ever admitting that his choice in Callahan was wrong. There was nothing fancy in what USC did to NU. Run, Run, and Run. Cozgrove...you can't figure that out? Fundamental football was not there. That is why they both most go! Let's be real NU. A change is needed. Bill Mediocre Callahan....please give Husker fans our football back.

Big Dog:

While I too am frustrated by the progress of the team under Callahan let's not look at the past through rose colored glasses. Two points I want to address in your post. First, you said that when Solich was fired it was a team that was always in the top 5 in recruiting. Solich's last three classes 2002 through 2004 were rated no higher than 16th and as low as 37th. Check it out on the Huskerpedia site under the recruiting tab. Conversely, Callahan's classes include a top5, top 10, a top 20 and are currently projected to be a top 10 - 12 class this year. Solich's failure to recognize talent across the board was leading to blowouts by conference foes. Who can forget the memorabel beat downs by Iowa State and Kansas State in 2002 and spankings we took from Missouri and Kansas State in 2003. That says nothing of the whipping we took from Penn State in 2002. Second, you stated the Huskers were perrenially contending for NC under Solich. Fact of the matter is after Osborne's recruits were gone and Frank was relying on his own recruits the Huskers immediately went 7-7 and then 9-3 in 2003. After the CU win in 2003 NU was ranked 22 in the AP poll. Hardly a continuation of the dynasty that Devaney and Osborne built. If Franky was such a great coach why is he still wallowing on the Ohio sidelines 5 years after being canned? I don't know if Callahan will be the answer or not, but you can't support your arguments regarding his failures with the "successes" of Solich.

Husker87, you are correct of course. Solich was certainly not a "world beater" as coach, and slippage in the program started there. But Callahan has his own sophomores and freshmen on board now, and there is still no progress being made. Our schedule this year will allow a 9-2 record possibly, but it will be a facade. USC could have scored 60 on us if they had not let up.....at HOME !! And the Ball State kicker today had the distance on his 55 yarder to upset us ......at HOME !! We're lucky the snap was high. Callahan simply cannot recruit the defensive talent you HAVE to have to be competitive in big time college football. Good points all on your post though.

I cannot believe that Steve Pederson still has a job at the University. Steve needs to go. Callahan has a 61% win percentage and Steve gave him a 3 year extension on his contract. Why Steve, why? Apparently he not only wanted to get rid of Frank Solich, but he wanted to reduce the percentage of wins per season as well. On Sept. 4th ESPN quoted Pederson as saying "In terms of what he's done for the program, he has certainly met or exceeded my expectations at this juncture," (see this link) http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3003879 Unlike some fans I do think the players are capable of playing at a much higher level. I believe the problem is coaching. I think it was Bobby Bowden that said, in reference to the basics of football, "Its called blocking and tackling". This coaching staff is apparently not enforcing the fundamentals, especially on defence. I hope the season ends with a winning percentage, but I think there is a very real chance that we will loose 5 in a row this year (Missouri, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas and Kansas).

Gentlemen,
I just hope that we never get back to the pre-Devaney days. I think that Solich was a decent coach. He wouldn't have let the team slip like Pederson predicted. We would have maintained a status-quo. After all the hype and talk about Callahan by Pederson, we should be sitting in the Catbird seat("The catbird seat" is an idiomatic phrase used to describe an enviable position, often one of great advantage.).
Here we are 3 years later and no better off then when coach Solich was in charge.
DocBonesaw

Here is a prime example of the past coaching staff:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/storie s/092207dnspocarlton.2bf4d05.html

DocBonesaw

Doc, I was still very surprised when the Huskers did not give Turner Gill a serious shot at the job. He was legendary as a college quarterback, did a great job as a coordinator on staff, and clearly has a bright future ahead of him. If you told me I would have to swallow Callahan for another 2 years and then I could have Gill, I'd do it.

Regardless, Pederson is the ultimate problem. He fired Solich for letting the program "get away" , yet he gives Callahan an extension ? Sorry, but this program is WORSE today than when Callahan took it over. Three years is more than enough time to start seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. We're still mirred in darkness.

I think we are all missing the underlying issues here.

1) Right Man/Wrong Environment--Bill Callahan is a brilliant football mind. But here's the big news folks. Tom Osborne was not as successful as he was because of his football mind. It was his ability to teach. Bill Callahan took the west coast offense to a whole new level in the NFL. In the NFL players are in the club house 8 Hours a day for meetings, practice and conditioning. Callahan has these kids for 3 hours and they are much less experienced. Do the math. Callahan has got to adjust his scheme for the college level and he has got to be a better TEACHER! He has the talent.

2) Bad Hiring decision by Callahan. He hired an old, dear friend for his Defensive Coordinator. HIRING RULE NUMBER 1: DON'T HIRE ANYONE YOU CAN'T FIRE. Cosgrove has had some good defenses in his history but never a truly great one. He is not getting the job done and it will have to get REALLY bad for Callahan to fire him. Could you fire one of your best friends?

3) HOW Pederson did it--Pederson had to get rid of Solich...it HAD to happen. However he could have done it in such a way that did not divide the fans. And he could have conducted the search better. He essentially said "I know better than EVERYONE what we need here and I will prove all Naysayers wrong." Well here???s the situation. If Callahan is not successful (and he still may be) Pederson cannot fire him without losing all of his own credibility. See Hiring rule number 1.

Lastly, Big Dog...Love ya man but...Solich is gone....Get over it...we would be as bad or worse if he were still here.

DCJ, appreciate the feedback. You have solid points. Believe me, I don't want Solich back, as the recruiting was starting to slip even then. But Pelini would have been the wise choice, especially the way he rallied the troops over Michigan in the Alamo Bowl. Turner Gill would have been a guy who could have brought in top recruits I think.
I didn't know Cosgrove was a personal friend of Callahan. That explains a lot. And as you said, NEVER hire somebody you can't fire.
OK, I'll sigh, accept it for now (as in this week ! ha !), and get back to cheering my Huskers on.