The only problem I have with Jim Grobe is that he looks too much like Cosgrove. I think in Osborne's ideal world that bringing in Pelini and Gill to be coordinators would be best suited - now which one should be head coach, I don't know.

Interesting suggestion with Grobe as head coach. My favorite though is Pelini, I just like his style.

Pelini should be the guy. As an LSU fan, I feel he'll probably get the call once Les goes to Michigan (and after yesterday's debacle, he WILL go to Michigan), but I think his close ties to Nebraska, coupled with the fact that he should've been a candidate there a few years ago anyway, will send him to Lincoln. Plus, there aren't any Tim Tebows or Darren McFaddens in the Big 12 right now, so his defensive weakness against mobile QBs (and RBs that line up as QBs) won't be exposed.

Stewart you need to get a little more original. Those are the same names that Forde from ESPN is touting. As a Nebraska fan I don't like either Johnson or Grobe. Johnson's defense at Navy is even worse than Callahan's. They've given up over 40 points in 7 games this year. As for Grobe, how can Nebraska hire a coach that is 0-2 lifetime against Callahan?

"Stewart you need to get a little more original. Those are the same names that Forde from ESPN is touting."

Maybe that is because those are the people that are being considered. Should he pull names out of his rear just to sound original, or should he do the research and report who the likely people to be considered are?

Good update, very informative.

No! Not Grobe! Curse you for even suggesting it! Wake Forest still needs him as it's going to take several years to earn respectability.

Send over the Buffalo coach. Yeah, that's the ticket.

mark my words boys, TURNER GILL will be the next head coach.

Alex, I meant the ESPN line as a joke. I just didn't post the smiley face. My bad.

when exactly did callahan stop recruiting in state? or when did he get rid of the walk on program? read up on the facts before you write an article. on the other not Turner Gill is a good coach but not a seasoned one. he would not fit right at Nebraska right now. Pelini has the fire and can coach one hell of a defense. But, Lets let TO decise and not jump to far ahead of this train

I would put Gill as a 2:1 favorite and Pelini close behind at 3:1.

We know that Coach Osborne is enamored with the spread-option offense, and recently Bo said that if he were a head coach he'd hire an offensive coordinator to run the spread. I'd imagine he said that knowing who was listening. Also, it sounds like Bo has a true rivalry with Coach Stoops at Oklahoma and wants to beat him head up for Big 12 titles. Hopefully that would drive him to take the job if offered.

I agree with Mandel's opinion of Gill and Pellini. Gill needs for time to develop as a head coach. The Nebraska job is one of the prime ones in college football. Grobe would be an excellent choice.

dustin, the walk-on program was cut down (not cut entirely, but significantly reduced) as soon as callahan got onto campus.

callahan didn't focus on in-state recruits like previous coaches. would osborne or even solich had let Miami get harland gunn, ISU get phillip bates, KSU get Jon McCardle and Allen Evridge, Iowa get Seth Olsen and Adam Shada, Washington get Paul Homer? Those guys aren't household names, but in past years, guys good enough to get a scholarship to BCS schools did not leave the state...at least not that many.

Bring back Frank Solich.

dustin, he stopped recruiting in-state when he moved in. that is why it was such a shock that over the last two weeks his coaches only recruited in-state and newspaper articles rang with "this was the first time a coach had recruited here since Solich" where here was the state champion...

TO just made his 3rd mistake as a non-head coach decision maker.

1- he recommended Solich
2- he recommended Steve Petersen
3- he fired callahan

a new D/C was all that was needed.

my season tickets will not be renewed.

Solich should have never been fired in the first place. Bring in a coach who would run the power running game or the option. T.O, should coach.

Stewart - is there a reason that Solich isn't on the list?

Turner Gill may mature into a great coach someday, but he's not one today. Grobe is clearly a very good coach, but it would take him years to build earn the unqualified backing of the oh-so-important alums and fans, and that means you miss out on the in-state recruiting classes of '08 and '09.

If you're a Nebraska high school player (or parent of one), then there's only one coach who makes choosing Nebraska an easy choice:

Frank Solich.

The name that makes the most sense and is not being mentioned - and hopefully, for Badger fans, it won't happen - is Barry Alvarez. Alvarez is a former NU player and a proven winner.

How about Norm Chow? Would he leave a NFL coordinator job to be a head coach in the NCAA or does he want a NFL head coach job?

Now that it is official we can speculate on the next HC. Read Osborne comments on the qualities he's looking for in the next HC. Bottom line, whoever is selected must field a competitive team and be able to motivate the them. There must be intensity in the players. And you best guarantee 9 wins a season.

Forget Frank. He's been there and done that. It would be like rehiring Craig Bohl. Not going to happen. You don't look back in football. You have to move forward.

Whoever accepts the next HC position best be prepared to win consistently. We live on tradition at NU and the fans want consistency in winning. Osborne set the standard that all future coaches must live up to.

Maybe we can make the search a Reality TV show. Narrow it down to 6 coaches and have them compete weekly. Then NU fans can select the next HC so they can't whine and complain about "their" choice.

I'm with ross. TO may not be the best person to select the next HC.

Fans best be patient. Sustained success takes time. Good luck.

Nebraska needs to hire Houston Nutt from Arkansas. He has proven to be a great recruiter of running backs, and Nebraska has the long history of being a great running team. This would be a great hire for Nebraska. They missed out on him a couple of years ago. This is right time!!!!

What we need now is someone who can motivate the players and get them wanting to play and win. A HC is only as good as the players around him honestly. He can call plays and stand around making decisions, but if the players aren't motivated or aching to brain someone (As proven with Callahan) then nothing is going to work. The next HC is going to be someone with fire and enthusiasm and can rally the players around him. A high profile name is not needed. A proven winner and motivator and developer of talent (or lack thereof) is needed at the moment. We tried the "quick fix" with Callahan (hence the massive Juco recruitments). I'll be satisfied with whoever Osborne chooses. Gotta believe in the guy. Solich did fine and then Peterson and Callahan phucked it to hell. I say Pelini, the Auburn DC, June Jones (doubtful he'll ever leave Hawai'i), or Tuberville. That would be a great team of coaches right there. :/

One thing that always separated Nebraska from the rest of the country was undying consistency. For that reason, Gill is a very nice choice. Yes, he may be a bit unseasoned, but he would be a lifer. He would coach at NU until he retired and he, better than anyone else, understand the NU program and the expectations that go along with it. TO is not going to go for a "big name", just for the sake of getting the big name. If he thinks Gill (or Pelini) is the best the best LONG TERM option then that is who he'll go with. The formula that made Nebraska great is different than what is applied to the rest of the country and TO will fall back to what made NU great in the past...loyalty and consistency.

One thing that always separated Nebraska from the rest of the country was undying consistency. For that reason, Gill is a very nice choice. Yes, he may be a bit unseasoned, but he would be a lifer. He would coach at NU until he retired and he, better than anyone else, understand the NU program and the expectations that go along with it. TO is not going to go for a "big name", just for the sake of getting the big name. If he thinks Gill (or Pelini) is the best the best LONG TERM option then that is who he'll go with. The formula that made Nebraska great is different than what is applied to the rest of the country and TO will fall back to what made NU great in the past...loyalty and consistency.

The one name no one on this post has mentioned is the one name Osborne himself has talked about - Glan Mason. I really hope Pelini comes back in some capacity, but I think the front runner right now is Mason.

Whoever said firing Callahan was a mistake obviously hasn't seen Cally's record when losing at half time. 0-17, right? That reeks of poor coaching. As does the fact that NU is 5-7 this year despite 4 straight years of top recruiting classes. That's a pretty good indication of not being able to coach up your recruited talent.

After reading everyones comments all I have to say "Wow." Some want Solich back and there is even a Houston Nutts suggestion. Are you all a bunch of Buff fans? Dr. Tom is the right person for this all important decision. We need someone the Husker Nation can rally behind and lead us back to the promise land. Nebraska needs to throw a big bag of money at Brian Kelly ASAP. As long as TO supports him the Husker Nation will follow.

Callahan's problem was that he coached more with ego than anything else. He threw the ball many times, just to try and prove he could. He was too inconsistent, and the problems which lead to his Raider team's demise became evident in Lincoln.

As for potential coaches:

Grobe - Great coach, but the Husker fan base is an important group to which the decision must please. Don't negate that, as this is why Pearlman hired Osborne as interim AD in the first place, fans were rebeling. Grobe has no strong ties with the program, nor the fan base.

Johnson - Never. Not big enough name, not a big enough program experience.

June Jones - Won't happen, he's too happy in Hawaii. (Read this on another site).

Brian Kelly - Cincinnati is not a top tier program. You must have experience in a top tier program to understand what it takes and the level of pressure/expectations involved.

Gill - Loved by the fans, stock rising quite a bit. Biggest problem is experience, and he's an offensive guy. The needs of the program are defensive. Biggest asset, more head coach experience than Pelini.

Pelini - Loved by the fans. Proven record of defensive results, which after this season has become a more sought-after trait. No head coaching experience, but don't negate his experience as Nebraska's interim head coach, and being at LSU as DC for 3 seasons. His passion reminds many of Stoops, and is something which has been greatly lacking with Callahan and company. His relationships with players seems to show a great ability to recruit, but who knows?

My pick: Pelini. With Miles likely headed to Michigan, LSU job will be offered to Pelini, so it comes down to what Pelini wants. Does he want to take over a program which is already established, and his family is already rooted in the community? Or does he like the opportunity of building a program, able to make some mistakes, but still have all the same resources, fan base, money, etc? If not, Osborne will chase after a big name coach who is not necessarily looking to move right now, or at least not yet on the short list, (think Rich Rodriguez, etc.)


We shall see. (And Alvarez is a likely possibility to replace Osborne as AD, but I think he's been in Madison for too long to move).

Ross,Bob and Justin- get a grip. No idiot would hire Nutt or Grobe just because they have a few years under their belt. And once you sober up, you'll remember YOU were part of the group calling for Solich's head 4 short years ago. Get on a bandwagon and stay put, instead of being such a fickle fan. In a perfect world, a new head coach would have a gazillion years of experience and national championships, but it ain't gonna happen- here, or anywhere else these days (or with any other teams, such as ND, Mich or LSU) Get a HUSKER redblood to come in and if need be, start from scratch. Anyone that's chosen will have to do that, no matter what. And for the comment to simply fire Cosgrove, who was calling the same 12 plays all year, until he handed it over to the Offensive Coord? Yeah, Callahan. The coaches and assistants were fired as needed, and Tom will bring in a mostly entire new staff. Any coach will and should get a learning curve, no matter what their background is. So Pelini or Gill have my vote. We've had 4 years of hell, we can take 2 more in reaching for heaven!
Go Big Red forever!

Hey Huskers!! Great news - Houston Nutt is available again!

..oh, and forget Alvarez.. that was what our troubles began with, all the Wisconsin kronies that Callahan brought in.. if a coach sucks at College A, why bring him in to College B?? DUH... Hell, George Darlington would be FINE in my book!!

Let's try this again...

I think Steve Pedersen did the right thing by hiring outside of the Nebraska family but whiffed on a joke of a coach in Callahan.

Look, NU fans, Tom Osborne retired ten years ago. Please, move on from him. I know he was a God to you, but it is time to move on. Whoever you hire, if it is one of Osborne's guys, is always going to be compared to him and have that looming over him.

You just need to find the right guy. That person has to be able to recruit in the Midwest, Texas, and the West Coast. Who is someone that no one has mentioned that would be a great candidate? How about Mike Price? I know he is a little older, but he has served his time in purgetory (which was undeserved), can recruit in those areas, and is a winner.

Too many of the best-connected people in and from Nebraska have stated without reservation that Bo Pelini has already informally been tagged by the most influential boosters -- whose advice Tom Osborne takes very seriously. And I think they've made a very wise choice. I like your column, Stew, but I disagree with you on this one. Bo Pelini has has the right stuff, and he embodies many of the values that Husker Nation holds dear. I think people will be surprised by how quickly he turns Nebraska football around.

Pederson was drunk the first time he offered Nutt the job. How drunk does Tom have to be to repeat the offer?

Who cares nebraska is a joke

I hate to break it you "know-it-all" (tongue in cheek as I vomit), college football "experts" (vomit again); but Jim Grobe is not leaving Wake Forest of the (oh my god, Stewart) ACC, for Nebraska, or anywhere else. Why would anyone take one of those "elite" jobs where you get fired if you don't win 11 games a year? No wonder so many of these coaches are tempted to cheat... (something that doesn't happen in the ACC) When will integrity ever be part of your "Saturday observations", or is bashing the ACC that much more important? You are such a loser!

Greg Schiano, get the New Jersey pipeline going again...think Mike Rozier. Plus he has ties to Florida (assistant at Miami) and can obviously recruit since he has brought respectability to Rutgers, think of what he can do with the fan base of Nebraska and the unlimited resources that we have compared to Rutgers. Cold weather clearly won't deter him, it's worse where he is now than in Lincoln.

The decent thing to do would be to offer Solich his job back. Ohio had a nice win today to finish 6 - 6.

I wonder what Solich's record could have been if Nebr. had poured as much money into his program as they did Pederson & Callahan's? Frank might even take the job under the same interim conditions Osborn has?

Perlman should also retire or be replaced, if all he is going to do is sit in his Ofice & let someone else make decisions.

I disagree. The biggest knock against Solich was that he did not like to recruit. And that was true. Nowadays all the advantages that NU had 20 years ago (corn-fed linemen, strength coach, etc.) are spread across every Div IA program. We need a coach who can make the most out of what we have. Callahan was a disaster. Solich was ok. Reintroduce the walkon program. if your players will die for the program, then the program might have some staying power.

look at all Nebraskas success in a nutshell. 2 coaches (Devaney and OSborne) were what made nebraska great. They won over 350 games in 36 years. Nebraska just got lucky and hired back to back coaches that did real well. You cant always expect success and you wont always hire the right coach.

For the person who will not be renewing their season tickets- we don't want your negativity in our stadium, and there are plenty of people who have been waiting years for a chance to get season tickets who would be more than happy to take them off your hands.

For the person who will not be renewing their season tickets- we don't want your negativity in our stadium, and there are plenty of people who have been waiting years for a chance to get season tickets who would be more than happy to take them off your hands.

For the person who will not be renewing their season tickets- we don't want your negativity in our stadium, and there are plenty of people who have been waiting years for a chance to get season tickets who would be more than happy to take them off your hands.

That season ticket holder must have been a relative of Callahan. Stoops did not have any HC experience when he took over at Oklahoma. I think the Huskers are 1 - 4 against him now?! I hope it is Pelini and I hope that he keeps a space open for Shawn Watson. GO BIG RED. This nightmare season is over.

Hey Husker39, all those Sconnie cronies that went to Lincoln? Kevin Cosgrove did not have his contract renewed, which is why he went to join Cally's staff. But you're right, let's keep living in the past and hiring from the "family". Worked well for OU, didn't it? Remember John Blake? Face it, it's not that great of a job anymore. Good luck fighting with Iowa State and North Dakota State for those prime recruits.

I really shouldn't say that, because Nebraska has, collectively, great, great fans. The fans don't deserve the mediocrity that has ensued. But to bash Wisconsin is hilarious, as I bet most Husker fans would trade "state of the program" slots with UW in a heartbeat right about now. And I don't want Barry leaving Madison. But you guys need someone who will re-instill toughness and discipline to your program, someone who can recruit, and someone who is not threatened by the past.

As much as I cannot stand OU, the similarity between OU and NU's downfalls is downright scary. Both programs turned to the DC to replace the legendary head coach, both were eventually run out of town, both eventually hit rock bottom. NU had Bill Callahan, OU had Howard Schnellenberger. OU then made the mistake of turning to a former star player (Steve Owens) to be the AD and hired a former player, John Blake. Let's hope NU doesn't make the same mistake.

But don't bash Wisconsin. Right now, your program isn't even in the same area code as UW.

"my season tickets will not be renewed."
Oh gee, I bet your tickets won't sell and the university will BEG YOU to be a fan again. I hear USC needs more fairweather dipsh*t fans, maybe you should move to LA?

After watching Osborne this morning and listening to what he had to say, I believe that not only will Turner Gill be named as head coach, but it will happen as soon as Monday. Pelini would never mesh with Osborne, and Gill has the values and beliefs Osborne feels are important. Is he the best choice? No. Is he the best for Nebraska and its demoralized fans? Tat's another question altogether....

Dale, I don't think coaching with Navy's recruiting "restrictions" would be a good indicator of Johnson's defensive capabilities. Having a strong record wold be very indicative of his coaching prowess, though.

Patrick, is it reasonable that Barry Alvarez would pick up head coaching again at Nebraska?

Is there some type of a Jim Tressel in the state of Nebraska who coaches a smaller D1 school that has been verys successful, youngish, and good report within the profession and good with mentoring and coaching?

Dale - that has to be one of the dumbest pieces of logic I have ever read - 'How can Nebraska hire a guy who is 0-2 vs Callahan?' - if we had our starting QB, we would have blown you out this year - enjoy watching Wake in their bowl game while you sit at home and wonder how you became so stupid

There is no question in my mind that the next coach should be Bo Pellini. All this nonsense about no prior head coaching experience is ridiculous. Bo has the pro connections and has proven himself an able assistant at 3 major college programs. Oklahoma took a risk on Stoops and look at them. I think the benefits of a Pellini would outweigh the risk. Plus,Nebraska would have a young coach with passion for winning and passion for Nebraska tradition!

How about Marty Shotenheimer? He is friends with Tom Osborne, can turn teams around (at least in the pros) and I know he has not won the big game yet, but neither did Osborne for 20 years.

Just wanted to look at it from another point of view.

How about Marty Shotenheimer? He is friends with Tom Osborne, can turn teams around (at least in the pros) and I know he has not won the big game yet, but neither did Osborne for 20 years.

Just wanted to look at it from another point of view.

Honestly, I see Tom Osborne taking the reigns of the team himself. It's a pride thing. He's a proven winner and he can turn the program around.

Sean - Good point about Johnson's recruiting restrictions at Navy.

wakeforest_acc_champs - Wow, a Wake fan talking smack especially after his Demon Deacons lost to the worst Nebraska team in 46 years. LOL

Poor Patrick..suffering another Wisconsin brain freeze. Thank God you and the Huskers aren't in the same time zone, zip code or football conference. Can't remember when you guys won a National Championship, let alone a little 10+1 conference title. Does anyone other than Northwestern even recruit in your state? And for the idiot that doesn't think it's good to hire a coach with ties to his team, really knows zilch about College Football. That's been and always will be a team's first choice. Take Alvarez fishing some place, and leave football to the seasoned programs like Nebraska.

Coaching suggestion:
Head Coach- Turner Gill
Def Coordinator: Jason Peter
Off Coordinator: Norm Chow
QB Coach: Eric Crouch
Recruiting Coord: Zac Taylor

Paul Johnson at Navy gives up 40 points in many games because he is operating with an undersized, undertalented bunch (one cannot recruit at the service academies).

I've heard many here at Maryland say that if/when Ralph Friedgen keels from a heart attack, we should get Paul Johnson.

Ross.
Sell me your tickets!!!Please!!!

How about Pat Beherns (UNO)? It would be nice to have a running game...

Husker39, you are such a classless fan. Judging by your posts, I'm wondering, have you been diagnosed as delusional? Hire that coaching staff, keep living in the past, and Oklahoma State will continue pushing you guys around like you're Iowa State. Tell you what, when you guys can give up less than 50 on a regular basis and actually start winning consistently, you can start talking smack.

In the meantime, put your teeth in, make sure your comb-over is just right, hop in your primer-gray Yugo, exit your trailer park, and make sure you ask everyone if that want fries with their burger.

Stewart,

You seem to have a lot of nightmares. Perhaps you should seek help for that.

I think they should hire Ed Orgeron in Lincoln. I hear he's available.

Patrick, what you know of college football could fit in to a miget's bedpan. It is cute though, how your jealousy of NU football rears it's ugly head with mindless splatter. Shouldn't you be blogging on a William and Mary website? My coaching suggestions were pure fantasy, fool. Take a pill and laugh a little..your shrink will love you for it.

I don't get the Pelini thing, when he was at NU and we played our 3 top opponents we got smoked. The defense gave up a ton of yards. Kind of like LSU's defense on a weekly basis on the 2nd half of the season. The best D-coordinator in the SEC is Muschamp at Auburn.

To zt8m:


I wish because I do not want him to go. But I do not see Turner Gill going because he is not seasoned enough and he is a man of conviction and dedication. He is like Tom where he will hold his promises and bring the things to be before moving on.

This is his 2nd full season as head coach. Though I think he would do well in NU, I doubt the alumnus and supporters would want him as head coach (since he has very little). Plus, the issue was not offense but rather defense. Turner makes offense team look great. I am talking about the dismal and my beloved Buffalo Buls to a competitve team this year. We never had an issue with defense compare to offense (not that we were awesome or something). But after the Penn State game, you could see how much Turner motivate and change the team especially the quarterback, Drew Willy...

I see TO looking more of a seasoned HC with proven track record to appease the boosters, alumnus, and supporters. The guys bringing up is probably not a UB fan... We are too much in love with Turner to think that way....

Stop suggesting Paul Johnson's name for other jobs, we like him right where he is. We don't want to end up like Army...

Husker39, How much does your Mom charge you to rent your room in that trailer?

As an Oklahoma resident, OU grad, and OU fan, why in the world would I be jealous of NU? Dude, stop drinking the bong water and put the pipe down.

Like I said, stop getting half-a-hundred hung on you on a consistent basis, and oh, by the way, win two more national championships before talking smack.

Now go back to work. I'm sure someone needs their fries made.

A few years ago, Nebraska tried very hard to get Houston Nutt. Many of us in Arkansas would like to see that happen now. It's a win/win thing for both schools.

Dennis Francheione will win at Nebraska. He won at Alabama, won at TCU loves to have a running qb, would be a great fit at Nebraska. I cant believe no one has mentioned his name. By the way for UCLA how about Terry Donahue, bring him back other picks, Norm Chow or Steve Skarkisian.

Turner Gill was also an assistant coach at Nebraska for both Osborne and Stolich. He is steeped in the Nebraska traditions, including the walk-on program and also recruiting in his native Texas.

Bo Pelini is a very popular name in Nebraska, but so is the Number 2 QB of any team with offensive problems.

Both Gill and Pelini were terminated by Callahan - adds to their popularity in Nebraska.

They'd make great coordinators - Osborne was the offensive coordinator before becoming head coach. As a Nebraska native, Osborne believes very strongly in tradition and it would seem that the new coach must embrace the traditions Osborne fostered.

Norm Chow may consider the Nebraska job, but he very interested in the West Coast and PAC 10. UCLA would be a possibility I believe from his last go around with Stanford.

What about Barry Switzer? Highly successful head coach at the collegiate and professional level (Oklahoma and Dallas). Very WELL known to Nebraska fans and Coach Osborne. "Master" of the triple option? Try "God" of the triple option. And, it would most definitly add quite a "twist" to the Huskers-Sooners rivalry.

Ozzie22 for your information LSU's defense is giving up an average of 48 yards a game less than Auburn

To the idiot who made a reference to Lawerence Phillips.......show me a college team that did not have 1 kid get arrested in any year. osborne was just guilty of giving a kid a second chance.

What about Norm Chow? Can Nebraska get him? Didn't he want to be a college head coach?

Why, in these inevitable coaching merry-go-round speculation fests, does SOuth Florida's Jim Leavitt's name never bear mention?

Never mind re-building from a "down" program. Leavitt has shown himself a master at building a program that didn't even EXIST before his arrival. He had his team ranked Number Two in the country only ten years after inaugurating the program.

Leavitt has a work-ethic that would fit well at Nebraska. I say this, even though it would not hurt my feelings if Nebraska didn't have another winning season for the next hundred years. Humility is a good thing. It's time for the 'Shuckers to learn some.

The upside is that if Nebraska and Osborne act like they "deserve" to win and go find themselves a $28-Million dollar coach, as Alabama did, that humility lesson just might happen.

Don't forget Grobes overall record, that turned the OU bobcats around from the longest losing steak in the nation, broken too many WFU records to name and has a proven receipe to get the job done. His record on graduates out of WFU program is record breaking as well. The bottom line is he can do the job BUT is the stress & the shakey AD worth it? That is the question.

I think you have two schools of thought on the next NU coach: Many posts want to go back to the run-the-ball-down-your-throat days. That may require as painstaking a "change in culture" as the last one. Or, you recruit a coach to either fit the current personnel (passing) or bring in a spread offensive guy. Either way, someone in the fan base won't be happy.

I say find the best guy who you can hire. Pay him. And make sure he embraces the past traditions of NU football. After all, what's the thing about college football that makes it miles apart from the NFL? The traditions and the history of the game.

Osborne could hire Satan, as long as he reestablished the family culture that was so successful for 40 years.

Something all must understand, the problem with Nebraska, while starting with the head coach, was the defense, not the offense. I think Dr. Tom will look for someone who: 1) Understands the connection of the program to the state, 2) will work the players hard, 3) will reestablish the defense dominance Cornhusker fans enjoy. Here's what I see, Bo Pellini will come in and he will keep Shawn Watson to run the offense. With a reinvigorated walk-on program, Missouri and Kansas will have to look elsewhere for its players. GO BO!

I think you shoul all consider this, the problem with Nebraska was its defense, not its offense. That, coupled with the fact that Callahan dismantled long-held Cornhusker traditions of walk-ons and a solid conditioning program, you will see a defensively minded coach, with Shawn Watson to run the offense. Remember, Defense wins Championships. Go BO!

Pellini would be great for the much-maligned Nebraska defense / he took great talent at LSU and turned them into patsies, eventually costing LSU a shot at the BCS championship.

"Like I said, stop getting half-a-hundred hung on you on a consistent basis"
Oh you mean like OU did in the early and mid 90's? I remember being at 1995's 37-0 shellacking of OU that could have been much worse if Tom wouldn't have called off the dogs. I won't mention 1996 or 1997. Oh fine I will...73 to 21 and 69 to...wait for it....7. Yep, a 62 point win. I guess Oklahoma just folded up and died after that one, huh?
Great posts Patrick. Keep up the good work. I'm off to 'go make some fries.' Nice insult, toddler.

It's time for the Big Red to move forward/ Callahan brought the forward passback, but we still need "smash mouth football" @ NU. My choicce for coaching position @ NU is Pellini - Head Coach, and Gill - Offensive coordinator. Best of both worlds

Head Coach -- Pellini

Offensive Coordinator -- Gill

@ Romans
Here are just a few of the reasons you need to do more than look at stats and scores to understand college football:
1) Its PELINI...misspelling the name of the DC you're trying to disparage isn't usually a good way to establish that you know what the fcuk you're talking about.
2) Turned great talent into Patsies? Or could it be that he took great talent through a vicious SEC schedule and that great talent was so hobbled and beaten down BY that schedule that by the time that same bruised and bloodied defense finally had to face who many consider to be THE FINEST raw talent in college football today (Arkansas' D. McFadden), they finally buckled and surrendered a multiple overtime game? Oh yeah, Pelini's D sure has quit on him. Great point.
3) Correct me if I am wrong, but LSU is still going to the SEC Championship, correct? Can you name me an SEC team without at least one loss? Winning the SEC is tantamount to winning the national championship some years, and this year is no exception. Would LSU demolish Mizzou? No doubt in my mind they would. Would Florida wipe the flood with WVU? I would hope Steve Slaton had health insurance. LSU lost two games that could have gone either way, each time losing to a "once-in-a-decade" player for two mediocre teams (McFadden for Ark and Woodson for UK). LSU has nothing to be ashamed of.

Listen to Osborne, "someone who doesn't have to be from here, but knows football and knows how to motivate players" Dan McCarney is that guy. That guy did more with Iowa State than anyone could of and was always second fiddle to that overrated Iowa coach. McCarney recruited in state first, took the players Nebraska didn't want, work long hours, and got a players to play hard. Imagine what he could with a big time program and facilitites. He knows Nebraska tradition he had to caoch against it every year. Dan McCarney hardest working coach that should be coaching in the Big time!

How about Tommy Tuberville? He has shown he can win, and theres no doubt that Husker nation could get him in a heartbeat.

But living in Nebraska, I want someone who has ties to the traditions. Therefore, I say Turner Gill. Those who live out of Nebraska really don't understand whta it means to be a Husker fan here. We breathe Husker football, and when we lose, all hell breaks loose.

Patrick the Cheesehead,

A quick look at http://www.nationalchamps.net shows the following:
National Champs:
Neb - 5
Wisc - 0
Conf Champs:
Neb - 46 (22 since 1962)
Wisc - 11 (3 since 1962)
Bowl Games:
Neb - 44
Wisc - 18
Program Won/Lost:
Neb - 812-326-41 (.706)
Wisc - 588-452-53 (.562)
Conclusion:
Come on Patrick, give me a break...

Now, a word or two for Paul Johnson:
Any coach who can do what he has done at Navy is the kind of coach I want at Neb. He runs the option at Navy because that gives him the best chance to win with the personel he has.

Navy athletes are smart, dedicated, and disciplined, but they are 2nd level football talents (at best), yet Johnson has them winning against 1st level talent. As to the scores Navy gives up, geeze how much do you think 2nd and 3rd level talent can do? Look at Notre Dame - and they can recruit!

Make sure Johnson hires good recruiters (hell, have TO be in charge of recruiting!), maybe get Pelini as DC, maybe Gill as OC and NEB should be set for the next 15 years...

PS
Don't forget the two Championship he won at Georgia Southern. If anyone deserves a shot at a big time program it is Paul Johnson.

All I want to say is this...if no one thinks UGA should be playing for the National title, then why did they get ranked number four after the last BCS rankings came out. The bottom line is this, they won the games, they were a young team coming into the season, they matured, they PLAYED FOOTBALL IN THE TOUGHEST CONFERENCE IN NCAA FOOTBALL...why not give them a chance to play...if you are not, then I think Ohio State should not have a chance either...WHO DID THEY REALLY PLAY THIS YEAR????

By the way...if you don't believe the SEC is the toughest conference in NCAA football, think about this...10 out of 12 teams in the conference are going to bowl games...out of that 10, 6 teams have 8 or more wins this season. What other conference can say that...and I don't care who won the SEC champ game...UGA was ranked 4th going into the week...they belong in the national title game...I would say that for any team that was sitting at number four right now...THIS IS WHY WE NEED A PLAY OFF...