Bill Callahan came to Nebraska in 2004 and wanted nothing to do with the history, the tradition, and the excellence that had been Nebraska football for 40+ years. Nearly everything important to the image and tradition that had been Nebraska football was cast aside.
The in-state walk-on program was virtually eliminated. Paintings and pictures of All-Americans and Academic All-Americans were taken off the walls and put in storage closets. No longer were ex-players allowed the free access to the football facilities and to practice that they once enjoyed.
Whether Bill Callahan or his boss AD Steve Pederson was responsible for all of this doesn't matter. Bill Callahan's name is still firmly attached to much of it.
Last year, when the cloak and dagger stuff was removed and prying eyes were finally allowed an inside look at practices under Callahan, it became very clear why Nebraska was having the difficulties that they were. Practices were no longer the intense physical battles between the first team offense and defense that had been the norm for so long.
It became especially clear why the Blackshirts were having the extreme difficulties that they were having. They spent much of their week studying film and preparing game plans. They never worked on fundamentals in practice and were very rarely in full pads against the first team offense.
The first team offense spent much of the practice week in half pads working against the scout team!
Is it any wonder why when things went bad in a game for Nebraska in 2007, especially on defense, they had no answer or just didn't have the gumption to respond to adversity? They didn't practice being physical during the week, and when a team got physical with them, they didn't know how to respond.
Well, Bo Pelini has now come in and began to rectify some of the problems left behind by the previous coaching staff.
One of the first things Bo did was reinvigorate the in-state walk-on program. His first recruiting class included approximately 30 walk-ons from in state. Most of these kids turned down full rides to smaller schools for the chance to walk on at Nebraska.
The attitude, passion, and pride that these kids bring to the program are the lifeblood of the program. These kids will push the scholarship athletes to always give maximum effort in practice and on Saturdays.
Bo also welcomed back any ex-player that wanted to come and visit, watch practice, or talk to him about the team. It is now an open family-type atmosphere as it always had been.
Most importantly, the team is back to practicing being physical during the week leading up to the Saturday game. The first team offense and defense are back in full pads during the week and are often scrimmaging against each other—as they should be.
They are making small strides, but they are moving forward, and that is all that can be expected.
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about 1 month ago
I would say Bo's commitment to restoring Nebraska's traditions has led to more than small strides. I got to interview Tom Osborne and a couple of guys involved with academic-athletics yesterday and they all emphasized the importance of Nebraska's rich traditions.
Forcing the players to earn Blackshirts, restarting the walk-on program and inviting former players to come back have already had a big effect on Nebraska's success this season.
I really enjoyed this two-part series. ***** and POTD. Keep writing, Andy! We gotta get this Nebraska community thriving again!
about 1 month ago
Cool stuff man. Wish I was in your shoes. Yes, you're right, they are making better than small steps, just trying to temper the enthusiasm a bit.
I can't tell you how much I agree with making the players earn the BLACKSHIRTS back! Bo has done the right thing by holding them back, and quite frankly I didn't have a problem with it. Those are a very revered and cherished tradition. One of the best that NU has going.
I like it even more that they only gave out 11. There are only 11 starters on D! At times under Cosgrove it seemed like that they had almost 20 players with Blackshirts.
Doing that only cheapens them!
I think now that they have them back they may play even more inspired football!
about 1 month ago
Great stuff Andy. I have been impressed with the attitude Bo has brought back to Nebraska. I feel the Huskers will be back on top soon.
about 1 month ago
Thanks Jeff,
Husker fan's all over hope that you're right.
about 1 month ago
Great stuff.
I didn't know about the walk-on program, but I think it's great he reinstalled it. Nebraska's history should not be forgotten.
Why did Callahan take down the pictures? That's inexcusable- it's part of the recruiting process. It makes all players want to be on the wall. It's like USC taking all their NC trophies and Heismans out of Heritage Hall.
Great read, POTD!
about 1 month ago
Yes, the walk on program is very important here. Those kids often contribute to the team in immeasurable ways.
They work hard for 5 years, lifting weights, practicing, pushing the scholarship players to practice and play with a certain level of passion, intensity, aggressiveness and spirit, all for that one chance to MAYBE be allowed to run down the field on the kick off team.
But, so many of these in state kids will do just that, just for the chance to play a small part.
After T.O. retired quite a few scholarship players like QB T. Frazier from FL. and MLB Doug Colman from New Jersey said something similar to this statement, "That they saw and noticed how hard the in-state walkon players worked, how hard they played, how much passion and spirit they played with for the "N" on the helmet, and that they, as scholarship players better be matching the effort at all times."
And some of the walk ons become stars in their own right. The Mackovicka brothers as fullbacks in the mid 90's, who even now have two more younger brothers on the team as walk ons, one as a fullback and one as a safety.
The fact that Callahan didn't take any more than 3-4 "preferred" walkons was hard on lots of high school kids here.
Another great thing that the walk on program did under Osborne was provide invaluable practice reps for everyone.
Including all the walkons under Osborne they were practicing with between 160-180 players everyday. Practice under Osborne was a thing of beauty just to see the incredible organization involved to get as many reps as possible for each of those guys in the allotted 20 hours a week.
I'll give you a name of a current in state walk on, Matthew May from Imperial, Ne. A true freshman db that they moved to LB against KSU because of all the issues Nebraska has been suffering this year at linebacker, i.e. no depth, a couple injuries and a suspension.
After KSU game coaches won't let him go back to db because he played so well at KSU. He is a 6'1 210 lb kid with a tom of speed. They will put 15 lbs on him between now and next year, keep his speed, and pencil him in at the weakside linebacker rotation for the next 3 years. Could be anotehr walk on star in the making.
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