Among the names constantly churned out by the rumor mill to replace Steve Pederson is former Husker coach Tom Osborne, who is likely to be appointed to some role in the athle
BRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Monday, October 15, 2007 7:00 pm
Cameras everywhere, all pointed at Husker coach Bill Callahan as he walked before the press Tuesday, drink in hand.
“Excuse me,” he said, trying to get through the clutter of bodies. “Don’t want to spill my coffee.”
Callahan took questions from the start, expressing sympathy at the Monday firing of Steve Pederson as Nebraska’s athletic director.
“He extended himself above and beyond anybody that I’ve ever been around as a boss,” Callahan said.
The coach said players were “really concerned” at the confusion that surrounded Monday.
“They just want to know what’s going on… But nothing’s been said regarding our status as a staff, so we’re going to continue to move forward.”
Chancellor Harvey Perlman dismissed Pederson, but said no changes were afoot for the coaching staff.
Since the news, speculation had run rampant as to who might become the replacement AD. Among the names constantly churned out by the rumor mill was former Husker coach Tom Osborne, who was later appointed to the post of Interim Athletic Director.
“I would welcome anyone who’s going to be in that leadership position and be my immediate supervisor,” Callahan said when Osborne’s name was mentioned, some three hours before the Osborne announcement was official. “I’ve got tremendous respect for whoever’s at the helm.”
The Huskers are 4-3, have looked woeful on defense, losing games by 18, 35 and 31 points. Two of those defeats were at Memorial Stadium.
The losses have caused a level of criticism perhaps never matched around these parts. The only certainty is uncertainty.
“It’s difficult, I will tell you, it’s extremely difficult in this time, especially when you’re struggling to have something of this nature to occur, and then rally your team and get them motivated again. Because it is distracting,” Callahan said. “I make no bones about it. It’s a huge distraction to our football team.”
Asked if he felt some responsibility for Pederson’s dismissal, Callahan said: “I feel responsibility again for the results of this program. I feel responsible for a lot of things, good and bad. And ultimately like I said, it lies on my shoulders to provide the kind of results you need to provide.”
Asked if he’d consider resigning, Callahan said: “No.”
Callahan said he talked at length with Pederson on Monday. “He and I shared a private conversation about a lot of things.”
He said the results of the season and events that have unfolded “hurts exceedingly.”
“We’re all human,” Callahan said. “Guys on the staff, they’re human. They have families and children, and they hear things and they see things. You know, it’s not comfortable. I don’t think if your job was in the position where people were talking about you every day – it’s not a real good feeling. That’s part of being in the public eye and doing what you do … but it’s awfully tough, because they’re good men.”
Callahan said he had a “good conversation” with Perlman on Tuesday, and that the chancellor pretty much echoed the same information to him that he said at his press conference on Monday.
On Monday, Perlman wondered aloud if this team could turn around this season.
“I think that in my visit with him today, he was confident that he wanted us to do well,” Callahan said. “I couldn’t comment any further than that, though.”
In 2003, the Oakland Raiders fell apart under the direction of Callahan a year after being in the Super Bowl. He said what is happening here is a different situation.
“I don’t think you can compare. There’s no comparison,” he said. “You’re talking about professional football and intercollegiate athletics. You’re talking about two different things completely. Totally. Completely different.”
Does he ever lack confidence in himself?
“No, because I know in my heart of hearts I’m doing an excellent job, I’m doing a good job,” he said. “I’m working extremely hard. No, it doesn’t affect my confidence whatsoever.”
He said it’s tough to ignore the criticism, but that he has to get past it and a find a way to rally this team.
“Our players are looking now at our coaching staff to see what type of tone and mood and attitude we bring to the meetings and to the fields,” Callahan said. “So it’s very important that they see us in a positive light.”
The coach said he looks at the film and sees a team that has the players to win games.
“We’re not far, and I know that sounds absolutely crazy, but really, I really believe that as a coach,” Callahan said. “I just don’t think we’re that far away. There are things that are correctable.”
The problem comes in trying to get those players past all the negativity and doubt that seems to have beaten down the program.
“It’s difficult. It’s difficult,” said Callahan, gesturing toward all the cameras. “I mean, look at this.”
Reach Brian Christopherson at 473-7439 or bchristopherson@journalstar.com.