One of the first things that Osborne did was to make it clear that Callahan would not be fired/replaced at this point and time. That the football program would be evaluated in total at the end of the season and that there were not "any quick fixes" that would/could turn this situation around. No that, like recuperating from a major heart surgery can only be fixed by time.

Contrary to popular opinion, the season is not over yet. Osborne also pointed out correctly, I might add that there is no "quick fix" to the problems at Nebraska, which take this fans opinion is very, very deep. One thing that Pederson did do was to completely alienate all of the Osborne disciples, one by one, trying as hard as possible to basically separate himself, to "create his own legacy". You know what, in many ways he did succeed at this, Pederson's decisions will be looked at for many a year to come, although I don't think it is or will be the legacy that he had in mind.

However, Nebraska football's decline under Bill Callahan wasn't the primary reason for Pederson's firing. It was Pederson's management style. The culture Pederson fostered in the athletic department had become a deep concern for Chancellor Harvey Perlman. Pederson had lost the support of many people who had supported him initially.

Indeed, top aids and staff members were dropping like flies. Some who have worked in the athletic department will tell you Pederson created a culture of fear. He used fear as a motivator, they say. Employees looked over their shoulders. The culture felt oppressive and this environment wore out many long time employees. He made the entire remaining staff feel like they were one step away from being fired, that there every move was watched.

One comparison I can make with the way Pederson ran the University of Nebraska was to the way Richard Nixon ran the government when he was president. He never trusted anyone, always thought that everyone was out to get him, that he had no friends and wanted no help from anyone. When you think about that, that comparison for those of us who were around during that period of time in our country, that is so sad, a little true, which is what makes it sad, that some people actual have to live, and feel that way.

The next athletic director and the next head coach must, no make that MUST have Nebraska roots, a sense of what it is to be a Cornhusker, to be different, not to be a "clone" of 50 other schools out there, the new director has to understand what it means to be a part of "Huskernation". Maybe Dr. Tom Osborne will stay more than a few months, or Dave Rimington, or even Barry Alvarez would be willing to take this task on. We have to regain our identity our Mojo, to regain that power of being a Cornhusker. GBR folks.

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