[Husker] Callahan's college coaching experience

[Steve Reichenbach]

This year has been puzzling.  I've been critical of aspects of the
coaching before this year, but I think even the most vociferous of
Callahan's critics have to be surprised by this year.  I think there
isn't just one answer (e.g., that pro coaches like Callahan can't
be successful as college coaches), but many issues.

First, Callahan and his staff aren't as bad as this year would indicate
and the players aren't as bad as this year would indicate.  I think
there were a variety of factors within the team:  some coaching
mistakes, some players didn't carry the weight they might have, an
entirely new defensive line, and some injuries (e.g., Steinkuhler).
Then, I think there were mental and emotional letdowns or shortcomings.
And, there were many times that game momentum could have gone the other
way, so maybe some bad luck too.  I'm not sure I remember opponents
getting so many third and longs.

Second, I think it is much tougher to contend year after year than
many NU fans have come to think.  Many very good coaches have years
not so much different than this year.  Paterno had some bad years.
Bowden is struggling the last few years.  Florida's lost 3 games with
Urban Meyer, South Carolina 3 with Spurrier, Auburn 3 with Tubberville,
Alabama 4 with Saban.  These are all very good coaches.  Look at the
year Hawkins had at CU last year and this year's not great, though I
think he's a very good coach.  I think A&M may have trouble finding
a better coach than Franchione.  Carr is on the hot seat at Michigan
with 3 losses.  What about Weiss?

This year is puzzling, but maybe it's so puzzling because some of
our assumptions about how easy it all should be for NU.


> Bill was a colllege assistant coach for 14 years.  Illinois,
> Northern Arizona, Southern Illinois, and Wisconsin.  I knew he
> had college experience, but I had no idea to this extent.  It
> makes his failure at Nebraska even more puzzling.