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- Tickets -
Bill Callahan has another job with almost no margin for error.
Callahan, fired as coach of the Oakland Raiders on New Year's Eve, on Friday was hired as football coach at the University of Nebraska.
Terms of Callahan's contract were not disclosed.
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The hiring concludes a prolonged search conducted by athletic director Steve
Pederson, who was turned down by several candidates after firing Frank Solich
on November 29.
Cornhuskers assistant coaches Bo Pelini and Turner Gill also interviewed for the position. Nebraska was rebuffed by Arkansas coach Houston Nutt and Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
"Coach Callahan is a rare find," Pederson said. "As a Super Bowl coach, a top-level recruiter, and an experienced coach on the college level, he has all the success to continue the consistent success that typifies Nebraska."
Callahan, 47, was fired by the Raiders on December 31 following a disastrous 4-12 season. A year ago, however, he guided Oakland to its first Super Bowl appearance in 19 years.
There will be similar expectations at Nebraska, which won at least a share of three national titles between 1994 and 1997.
"The expectations are high no matter where you're at," Callahan said. "I want to add to the dimension of success here. The nature of coaching is a fast track. It's high risk, high reward."
Solich, a long-time Nebraska assistant, replaced the legendary Tom Osborne in 1998 and was unable to match the success of his former boss.
Nebraska played for the national title following the 2001 season, but stumbled to 7-7 in 2002. Solich was fired despite a 9-3 record.
"It's an honor and privilege to to be writing the next chapter in Nebraska football," Callahan said. "I appreciate the opportunity to take over a program with such prestige and integrity."
Pelini, Nebraska's defensive coordinator, coached the Cornhuskers to a 17-3 victory over Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl. Callahan said he will meet with Pelini and Gill next week as to their future with the program.
Pederson promised to bring in a marquee coach and Callahan will likely be granted almost no honeymoon period. Nebraska has fallen behind Oklahoma and Kansas State among the Big 12 Conference elite and Cornhusker fans will be expecting a fix.
While Callahan is a respected offensive coach, his reputation for dealing with players has taken a notable hit.
Things began to unravel for Oakland at the Super Bowl, where Callahan suspended troubled center Barret Robbins. This season, Callahan lost the respect of several players after calling the Raiders "the dumbest team in America."
Callahan's most outspoken critic was four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Woodson, but he was not alone in his antipathy toward the coach.
"It got to a point where we're literally telling guys in the locker room, 'Nobody hit this guy, OK?'" veteran receiver Tim Brown told the NFL Network.
The 47-year-old Callahan posted a 15-17 regular-season record in his two years at the helm of the Raiders. He served as offensive coordinator of the Raiders from 1998-2001.
Callahan coached at several colleges before being hired by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995. He was offensive line coach at Wisconsin from 1990 to 1994 and also worked at Illinois, Northern Arizona and Southern Illinois.
"I've always respected the college game, particularly the passion and love the players have for the game," Callahan said.