[Husker] The 2nd year of coaches in "resurgent" powerhouses

[Pat Gaule]

I thought it would be interesting to compare Callahan's second season 
with the second season of other coaches who were hired (in the recent 
past) to lead a traditional powerhouse back to glory.

Pete Carroll - USC
Season before he was hired (2000): 5-7
First season (2001): 6-6
Second season (2002): 11-2, Pac 10 Champions

Bob Stoops - Oklahoma
Season before he was hired (1998): 5-6
First season (1999): 7-5
Second season (2000): 13-0, Big 12 Champions, National Champions

Mack Brown - Texas
Season before he was hired (1997): 4-7
First season (1998): 9-3
Second season (1999): 9-5, Big 12 South division champions

Nick Saban - LSU
Season before he was hired (1999): 3-8
First season (2000): 8-4
Second season (1999): 10-3, SEC Champions

Jim Tressel - OSU
Season before he was hired (2000): 8-4
First season (2001): 7-5
Second season (2002): 14-0, Big Ten Champions, National Champions

Jeff Tedford - Cal (yea, I might be stretching the definition of 
"traditional power" here, but they do have 3 national championships)
Season before he was hired (2001): 1-10
First season (2002): 7-5
Second season (2003): 8-6

As far as records are concerned, here's one that's fairly similar to 
Callahan.  However, the similarities end there:
Mike Shula - Alabama
Season before he was hired (2002): 10-3
First season (2003): 4-9
Second season (2004): 6-6

Whereas our coach was fired, theirs left for Texas A&M.  The extent of 
their "hiring controversey" was that their original choice (Mike Price) 
went on a spending spree at a strip club and got caught with his pants 
down (almost literally).  However, it's worth pointing out that Shula 
inherited an Alabama team devastated by probationary restrictions.  
Starting in 2002, they lost 21 scholarships over a three year period, 
narrowly escaping the "death penalty" according to this article: 
http://www.tidesports.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/TSNCAA/209030026 
.  Despite all of that, Shula currently has the Tide undefeated and 
ranked at #3.  It only took him three years to do that.

What is my point?  Well, I'm curious as to how long I'll keep hearing 
the blame for this mess placed at the feet of Solich, rather than 
holding Callahan accountable.  Apparently, many Nebraskans are still 
convinced that Solich is the major reason why we're so bad right now, at 
least if this article is any indication: 
http://nebraska.scout.com/2/462714.html

As ill regarded as Solich was by some Husker fans, there's no way you 
can tell me that the 10-3 squad inherited by Callahan was worse off then 
the 5-7 squad inherited by Pete Carroll, the 5-6 team inherited by Bob 
Stoops, the 3-8 team inherited by Nick Saban, the 4-7 squad inherited by 
Mack Brown, or even the 1-10 squad inherited by Jeff Tedford at Cal.  
Most of those schools had futility stretching back far beyond the season 
prior to their hiring.  Nebraska was two years removed from an 
appearance in the national championship game, and hadn't had a losing 
season in over 40 years.  As bad as the 7-7 season was in 2002, it 
couldn't possibly have been any worse than the losing squads that 
preceeded the coaches listed above.

Even Mike Shula has turned things around in his third year at Alabama, 
and he has every excuse in the world for the Tide to not be good right 
now.  If he doesn't give any excuses, why should we give any for 
Callahan?  If the Huskers don't show serious improvement under Callahan 
next year (at least 9-10 wins), I doubt that they ever will.