The first thing I would do, is I would call up Bill Callahan to my office and have a chat with him. Obviously, Callahan knows at the end of the year his job is going to be evaluated... Here is what I would tell Bill.
I would say that I don't have a history of firing people, and would rather avoid doing it, but if I have to, I will. That being said, you have every opportunity to correct the problems that lay before you. If you are able to, you will be retained. So look at this as an opportunity, not as "5 games til I'm gone." You have 20+ years of college football knowledge up in the athletic directors office now, that I would be happy to share with you at any time you ask for it. (This next part I'm doing alittle assuming on) Also, people that I have worked with in my time coaching Nebraska will be willing to give input and help this team get back on track as well. All you have to do is ask. Tell him specifically Charlie McBride is a phone call away... Basically, what I'm telling you is, you don't have to do this alone.
I would ask Callahan to lay out a plan (doesn't have to be perfect at this point, since its on such short notice) detailing how he plans on turning around the season to at bare minimum respectablity, right now. Then I would offer my input on the plan, and offer suggestions where they should be made. At that point, I would stress once again, that I don't like to fire people, and I want Callahan to succeed.
At that point, I would lay out what I feel the goals of the football team should be the remainder of the year. Make them perfectly clear so there is no wondering by Callahan if he has hit the goals or not. Make them so crystal clear, that at the end of the year, Callahan should know before he even steps into TO's office if he is canned or if he is staying.
These are the things I would do today if I was TO. Callahan would have the rope at that point. He could either use it to climb out of the hole he has dug... Or he can hang himself with it. The choice would be his at that point.
Tags: Huskers
