 
|
COACHING TRANSITION
These items, from throughout 2003 and listed reverse chronologically, deal with the aftermath of the late-2002 changes in the football coaching staff, the ultimate firing of Frank Solich as head coach, the hiring of Bill Callahan and the assembling of Callahan's staff. An archive of Omaha World-Herald stories is here.
• Kevin Cosgrove discusses his vision for the defense and his decision to join Bill Callahan at Nebraska.
• Bill Busch tips his hat to past coaches, and Scott Downing is glad to be part of a cutting-edge staff.
• Bill Callahan talks with the Lincoln paper about his first month on the job.
• For Bill Callahan, recruiting season never ends.
• The hirings of Randy Jordan and Bill Busch become official, and Jay Norvell's availability appears closer.
• Harvey Perlman discusses NU's priorities and the football changes.
• Organized-minded Tim Cassidy has everything mapped out through Jan. 1.
• Phil Elmassian plans on an extended stay despite his itinerant past.
• Sports psychologist Jack Stark leaves the program.
• Four of the fired assistants are still looking for work.
• Tom Osborne vents about the changes in the football program but says his name can stay on the new athletic complex. More from his news conference: 1, 2, 3
• Bill Callahan and his staff overcome a late start and sign an 18-member recruiting class that draws praise from the experts, if not a top 20 ranking: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
• Bill Callahan hires an outside linebackers coach (1, 2, 3). Turner Gill, meanwhile, says he enjoys his new dutues but is keeping his options open.
• Gary Barnett says his assistant Chris Wilson is staying put.
• Bill Callahan still hopes to cap a frantic 3½ weeks with a big finish in the hunt for players who will begin to give the Huskers a different look.
• "I'm fine" with Steve Pederson, Tom Osborne says.
• Former Oakland Raider Randy Jordan could become NU's running-backs coach.
• A look at the recruiting skills of Bill Callahan and John Blake.
• Jim Knowles accepts the Cornell job.
• Jim Knowles weighs a head coaching offer.
• Strength coach Dave Kennedy won't ease into the job.
• The Miami job eyed by Turner Gill goes to Marc Trestman.
• One of the papers in Chicago looks at a native son's journey to the head coaching job at Nebraska.
• The N.Y. and L.A. Times assess what went wrong with the Oakland Raiders and Bill Callahan in 2003: 1, 2
• Dave Kennedy & Tim Cassidy come back home to Nebraska.
• Callahan says he's willing to wait to hire Jay Norvell, and he confirms that the Dolphins are looking at Turner Gill.
• The staff looks for difference-makers at quarterback, running back and receiver.
• Bill Callahan scours the Chicago area for talent.
• The naming of the new athletic complex is one of the issues as Tom Osborne meets with Harvey Perlman.
• Steve Pederson urges players to rally around the coach.
• Turner Gill reportedly considers a Miami Dolphins job.
• Jay Norvell's availability remains a sticking point.
• NU gets a new head strength coach for football, Dave Kennedy of Pitt (1, 2, 3, 4), and the hiring of Phil Elmassian as coach of the secondary becomes official (1, 2, 3, 4).
• Don't expect the West Coast offense to be an overnight success at NU, say coaches familiar with the system.
• The recruiting-savvy staff gets a thumbs-up from college football pundits.
• Al Davis won't make it easy for Nebraska to hire Jay Norvell.
• From the Lincoln paper, a Q&A with Frank Solich.
• Two more NU hires become official: Kevin Cosgrove as defensive coordinator and Tim Cassidy as associate athletic director for football.
• Kevin Cosgrove of Wisconsin reportedly accepts the defensive coordinator's job, but Dave Roberts elects to stay at South Carolina. Also, the hirings of line coaches John Blake and Dennis Wagner become official: 1, 2, 3
• In his first interview since being fired, Frank Solich says he thought the program was headed in the right direction: 1, 2
• Bo Pelini interviews with the New York Jets.
• Aaron Graham wants a shot at the grad assistant opening.
• Nebraskans are warming to Bill Callahan, says a Boulder columnist.
• Iowa State hires Barney Cotton as offensive coordinator.
• Payments to the dismissed coaches will exceed $1 million.
• Fresno State offensive line coach Dennis Wagner reportedly joins the staff, and John Blake is among a slew of other possible new assistants: 1, 2, 3, 4
• Fabian Washington tones down his talk of transferring.
• Commentary on the changes: Ed Howard, Todd Cooper
• Bill Callahan cleans house as all full-time assistants except Turner Gill and Scott Downing are let go (1, 2). Gill says he'll decide today whether to stay.
• As the players try to come to grips with the dismissals, Fabian Washington says there's a good chance he'll transfer.
• Some boosters express disappointment that more of the staff wasn't kept.
• The Black Coaches Association questions whether Steve Pederson gave sufficient consideration to minority candidates.
• O-lineman Seth Olsen decommits in favor of Iowa, and Bill Callahan consults Tom Lemming as he tries to salvage the 2004 recruiting class.
• After a weekend of contacting recruits, Bill Callahan will meet with the assistant coaches Monday.
• A Bay Area columnist scoffs at the media's differing perceptions of Jim Mora Jr. and Bill Callahan. More commentary about NU's hire: Douglass, Ayoub.
• Steve Pederson did the search his way.
• Boosters expect the fundraising drive to pick up steam.
• Barney Cotton knows his time at Nebraska may be up.
• Callahan's the man. The word spreads on the night before the official announcement: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
• The assistants wait to learn what's in store for them.
• Tom Shatel says the hire is so crazy, it just might work, but Dennis Dodd calls it an act of desperation. Returning Husker players say they'll give the new guy a chance.
• University officials say that any bad PR arising from the search will soon fade. The latest commentary from around the nation: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
• Bill Callahan gets a vote of confidence from a pair of ex-Huskers. More on the continuing search: 1, 2, 3, 4
• Meanwhile, players and fans express frustration, and other coaches say the firing of a 9-3 coach may have created leeriness about NU's standards. And Tom Osborne reiterates that his coaching days are over.
• Nebraska's assistants test the job market at the coaches' convention in Orlando, and some also seek advice from Tom Osborne.
• Allan Evridge decommits and chooses Kansas State.
• Mike Zimmer says he has a decision to make after visiting Lincoln, and other names resurface as possible candidates (1, 2)
• Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer appears to be the latest target of NU's search (1, 2, 3, 4). Also, David Cutcliffe of Ole Miss says NU hasn't been in contact.
• Steve Pederson says nobody has been offered the job (1, 2, 3) and that he won't be rushed, and Harvey Perlman says he'll have the final say on a hire (1, 2).
• The players wait for a decision.
• Houston Nutt sleeps on the offers from Nebraska and Arkansas (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) but is expected to stay at Arkansas. Bo Pelini, meanwhile, says he's still interested, and his fellow assistants remain in the dark.
• Some boosters' patience wears thin, and columnists wonder if Steve Pederson is in over his head: 1, 2, 3
• As Houston Nutt weighs an offer from NU, his boss is "kind of encouraged that he might stay." Earlier stories on the wooing of the Arkansas coach: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
• NU reportedly is turned down by Al Saunders (1, 2, 3). Also, Urban Meyer denies rumors linking him to the job.
• Sirdarean Adams commits to Michigan State.
• The OWH says NU will have a coach by Sunday. As the staff waits for a decision (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), Steve Spurrier's resignation adds to the intrigue, and Al Saunders apparently remains in the picture. Bo Pelini, meanwhile, gets Woody Paige's vote.
• Linebacker Michael Keenan says his NU commitment is solid.
• Even if it turns out to be a one-year gig, defensive secondary coach Marvin Sanders says he has no regrets.
• A group called Steve P Must Flee states its case.
• Notre Dame moves up on Cortney Grixby's list while the Omaha Central star waits for NU to choose a coach.
• Bo Pelini keeps the team and staff focused during a month of uncertainty for the Huskers.
• QB Allan Evridge reconsiders his NU commitment.
• NU hasn't contacted Monte Kiffin, his son says.
• Nebraska must embrace change -- especially in offensive philosophy, says TSN's Matt Hayes. Dennis Dodd, meanwhile, comments about the search.
• Turner Gill approaches a possible career crossroads.
• One year after Steve Pederson's hiring, the Omaha and Lincoln papers take stock (1, 2, 3, 4). Also, his process for finding a new coach draws praise from Gil Brandt.
• Maurice McClellan sticks with his NU commitment.
• On a day when the Steve Spurrier rumor gets fresh legs, Bo Pelini and Turner Gill say they haven't interviewed for the job. Also, Barney Cotton says the assistants have few insights on the situation.
• The Dallas paper looks at the seeds of change that have been sown at NU.
• Jim Fassel's name joins the long list of coaches "mentioned" for the NU vacancy.
• Bo Pelini downplays any team discord, and Steve Pederson says he won't be rushed into naming a head coach: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
• The Chiefs' Al Saunders says he hasn't been contacted.
• Frank Solich is one of six finalists for the Cincinnati job.
• NU entertains seven recruiting prospects amid the uncertainty.
• Eric Warfield and Dave Rimington express dismay at Frank Solich's firing.
• Bo Pelini may have a job offer at Oklahoma.
• A contract dispute between Steve Pederson and the assistant coaches got so heated in July that a few coaches refused to report to work one day.
• The Los Angeles Times looks at Husker Nation's bruised psyche.
• Another no-news day regarding the coaching search.
• Butch Davis says he has no interest in the NU vacancy, Gene Huey says he hasn't been contacted, and Bo Pelini says he hasn't received an offer. More: 1, 2, 3
• The coaches struggle to salvage NU's recruiting class. Quarterback D.T. McDowell discusses his leanings.
• State law could force disclosure of the coaching finalists.
• Butch Davis and Dave Wannstedt say Nebraska hasn't called.
• Cincinnati's athletic director says Frank Solich would be a good fit.
• The latest round of who's-gonna-be-hired guesswork focuses on Dave Wannstedt (1, 2) and Tom Coughlin. Meanwhile, Bo Pelini says he has received no assurances about the future from Steve Pederson.
• The firing of Frank Solich has Nebraska fans debating values vs. victories.
• The Denver Post looks at NU's task of returning to the top.
• Blankman and Husker Dan weigh in on the great upheaval.
• Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher's name is the latest to be added to the list of possible NU head coaches.
• Tom Rathman says his coaching future is in the NFL.
• The Denver Post reports on the chatter indicating that Bo Pelini has the inside track on the NU job. But Akron also appears to be pursuing Bo.
• Jeff Jamrog is a candidate for the top job at South Dakota.
• Recruit Mike Huff remains solid, but Allan Evridge wants answers. Analyst Tom Lemming, meanwhile, says Steve Pederson should have made his move earlier.
• Steve Spurrier tries to quash the Nebraska rumors.
• Barney Cotton could be in the running UTEP's head coaching position.
• Bo Pelini gets the backing of Tom Rathman.
• Steve Pederson lists the three main qualities he wants in NU's next head coach, and Monte Kiffin and Norm Chow (1, 2) express interest.
• The coaches try to focus on their work and reassure NU's recruits. Florida QB prospect Sirdarean Adams takes Nebraska off his frontrunners' list.
• Dave Gillespie loses his job as assistant A.D. for football.
• Have faith in Steve Pederson, the Colonel says.
• The Loon finds the rough draft of Pederson's talk to the media.
• Players press the A.D. for answers and also meet with Frank Solich.
• The latest to weigh in on the firing: Bob Stoops, Tommie Frazier (1, 2), Trev Alberts (1, 2), Earl Bruce, Drew Sharp, Stewart Mandel, Drew Litton, Chuck Woodling.
• Urban Meyer of Utah says he would be "very leery" of coaching at a school that fired a 9-3 coach.
• Public-relations specialists give Steve Pederson high marks.
• Saying he won't "let this program gravitate toward medocrity," Steve Pederson announces the firing of Frank Solich and says a search is under way for a new head coach.
• The official announcement: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
• The earlier news reports: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | Coverage archive
• The reaction: Players & coaches (1, 2, 3, 4) | Fans (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) | Recruits
• The official announcement: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
• The earlier news reports: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | Coverage archive
• The reaction: Players & coaches (1, 2, 3, 4) | Fans (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) | Recruits
• Uncertainty about the future of Frank Solich spawns columns around the country: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
• Steve Pederson says he never discussed Frank Solich's status with boosters. Solich, meanwhile, says he has no quarrel with how Pederson is handling the situation. More from Tuesday's press conference: 1, 2, 3
• The atmosphere of uncertainty has some recruits wavering.
• NU booster David Sokol says Steve Pederson is botching the Solich situation.
• Tom Osborne reiterates that his coaching days are over.
• Dennis Dodd tells a tale of two coaches as he assesses the situation in Lincoln.
• The Journal-Star's editor explains the decision to run the Solich-Pederson story.
• Frank Solich says retirement has never crossed his mind and that he is unaware of any plans by Steve Pederson to force him out. Columnists (1, 2, 3) and Husker players and recruits (1, 2) also react to the Lincoln Journal-Star report.
• Three boosters say Steve Pederson has told them that Frank Solich will be asked to retire after the Colorado game, the Lincoln Journal-Star reports.
• Bo Pelini doesn't let the detractors faze him.
• Tom Osborne and a Kansas City columnist shake their heads at fans who seem to expect the moon.
• Are the Huskers back? Not exactly, says Sporting News columnist Matt Hayes.
• Frank Solich stays busy despite letting go of the offense.
• The stakes are high for Barney Cotton and Nebraska, says TSN's Matt Hayes.
• Frank Solich picks up some pointers from the NFL champs.
• From Tom Shatel, some pointers for Frank Solich.
• Will the 2003 season be Frank Solich's defining moment?
• Steve Pederson says he wants to see progress in 2003, not a particular win total.
• The Des Moines paper assesses the NU coaches' task of turning things around.
• Five assistant coaches are still working without contracts.
• Boyd Epley comments on the OWH report that his 34-year run as strength and conditioning director is about to end.
• A new culture of teaching and learning takes root on the team and the staff.
• Frank Solich discusses his role as overseer.
• Letting go of the offense wasn't so difficult, Frank Solich says.
• Steve Pederson discusses his hands-on style: "When you take care of all the little things … big things will happen."
• The OWH looks at Turner Gill's new role.
• Frank Solich picks up CEO pointers from David Sokol.
• Get used to some new terminology from the new coaches.
• Barney Cotton aims to make the O-line the most physical in the Big 12.
• NU staffers learn quickly that there's a new sheriff in town in Steve Pederson.
• The 2002 uniforms are history, prices of tickets are going down, and a revamped Herbie Husker is on his way, Steve Pederson announces.
• Barney Cotton figures to get lots of play-calling advice from Tim Albin.
• Tom Osborne discusses the staff changes and the possibility that his loyalty to assistants may have hamstrung Frank Solich when Solich took over.
• Some high-profile observers assess the coaching changes.