Book excerpts about Callahan, Osborne create waves at NU
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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
And you thought this week couldn’t get any more bizarre.
Two days after being hired as Nebraska’s interim athletic director, Tom Osborne was already issuing statements defending comments attributed to football coach Bill Callahan.
Excerpts from the book “The Nebraska Way,” written by University of Nebraska student Jonathan Crowl, with help from former Nebraska trainer Doak Ostergard, were released in a Thursday article in the Daily Nebraskan, NU’s student newspaper.
“The University of Nebraska Football Program was built by you and other players like you who made a lifelong commitment to play for and support the Big Red. Because of you, Nebraska has enjoyed a tradition of excellence over the past five decades that is unprecedented and unmatched by any other team or program.
“On behalf of the University of Nebraska and the Cornhusker Athletic Department, I want you to know that we appreciate your commitment and owe you our gratitude.
“Whether you were a walk-on or scholarship player, from Nebraska or another state, you are a valuable member of this family and a key factor in our school’s storied history of tradition of excellence. We want you to know you are always welcome in your home.
“Please feel free to come visit us - anytime. Just walk in our front door and say you are a former player and I promise you, you will be welcomed with open arms. My office is on the third floor, and as you know, my door is always open. The football coaches are on the second floor and the weight room and athletic medicine are just inside the front doors of the new north stadium complex. You are welcome to come see us at work, attend practice and join us for home games.
“Beginning immediately, a limited number of tickets and sideline passes will be made available for former football players. Additional tickets for guests will be available for purchase, but there will be no charge for these single-game tickets/passes for former players. Next year, we intend to again make available a limited number of season tickets for players to purchase with no donation required.
“I know I speak for everyone here in the athletic department when I say we hope to see you soon.”
Best Wishes
Tom Osborne
Among the brow-raisers was a story told by Ostergard in which Callahan, upset after a phone conversation with Osborne, said the then-congressman was “trying to run things from Washington,” and referred to Osborne as “that crusty old f—.”
Osborne said earlier this week he would evaluate Callahan and his coaching staff at the end of the season.
In a prepared statement released Thursday, Osborne said he understood the frustrations and emotions of being a head coach.
“I’m not surprised that my long-term influence on the program could sometimes be felt as a controlling force even while I was away, but that was never the intent,” Osborne said. “That’s why I don’t pay any attention to what may or may not have been said years ago. All that matters is I’m very supportive of Coach Callahan and his staff. We are trying to help our players and rally our fans. Right now, that’s our entire focus.”
The book also details an Ostergard story in which Callahan was upset over a newspaper story.
“F-ing people need to get a life,” Callahan said, according to Ostergard. “Why don’t they go read a book or get lost in the Sandhills? I’m going to get me a real newspaper. I’m going to read the New York Times.”
Callahan, when asked after Thursday’s practice if he denied the comments in Crowl’s book, declined comment and referred to a statement released with Osborne’s. In it, Callahan said he loves coaching and living in Nebraska, and that he respects Osborne.
“We are building a strong relationship with Coach Osborne,” Callahan said. “He knows this program inside and out, and that makes him a valuable resource for me, my staff and our players.”
Callahan fired Ostergard in February, a move that upset Ostergard, largely because the longtime employee said he was given no reason for his sudden dismissal. Crowl, a senior English major and sports writer for the Daily Nebraskan, wrote an article on the situation from Ostergard’s standpoint.
Ostergard later approached Crowl about writing a book about Nebraska football and its relationship with the state. Crowl agreed in March to write the book. Published by iUniverse Inc., “The Nebraska Way” should be available next month — a little later than originally planned, Crowl said.
The 125-page book chronicles many details of Nebraska football — from the success under Bob Devaney and Osborne to the turmoil surrounding the firing of Frank Solich and the leadership of recently fired athletic director Steve Pederson.
Crowl said Thursday’s Daily Nebraskan article had been planned last week, before Pederson’s firing. He said he’s not heard feedback from anybody within the Nebraska athletic department regarding the released excerpts.
“From what I’ve heard about people’s reactions today,” Crowl said, “I think one of the more misconstrued aspects of the book ... there’s a lot of focus on the controversial subjects that relate to Callahan and Pederson, but really, if you look at the book, almost two-thirds don’t deal with any controversial subject matter.”
Ostergard didn’t return phone messages seeking comment. But earlier this week, when asked to comment on Pederson’s firing, Ostergard declined, telling the Journal Star he wanted to take “the high road.”
Said Callahan of Ostergard: “I think he’s a fine man. We wish him the best.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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