Cornhusker Fans in here! - Page 60 - The Orange Mane

Kid A · 01-28-2007, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florida_Bronco

Isn't that what you said when we first hired him?

I knew the Buff fans would be saying this, but I'm not worried. Bill has always and will continue to be our play caller. Any OC is more of an assistant OC to Callahan. Watson did a good job with the TEs last year and I'm confident that he will do just as well with the new responsibilities. Buff fans have plenty to worry about on their own team. I think we'll be just fine.

Jens1893 · 02-12-2007, 07:44 PM

http://www.wowt.com/sports/headlines/5760306.html

Kid A · 02-12-2007, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens1893

http://www.wowt.com/sports/headlines/5760306.html

Scary situation. I have read that he is now stable and should be clear of any life threatening danger, but everything seems to speculation at this point, so suffice it to say that we should keep Marlon in our thoughts and prayers. He seems like a good kid.

Florida_Bronco · 02-13-2007, 12:33 AM

That's not good. Any idea what he overdosed on?

Evenrude · 02-13-2007, 01:14 AM

Early word is that it was nothing illegal... but details are sketchy at this point.

He seems like a very clean cut, good person... I hope things work out ok.

Master___Pain · 02-13-2007, 01:18 AM

Prayers go out to Marlon. Terrible to hear anything like this happening to a young man. God speed Marlon, get well.

DBroncos4life · 02-13-2007, 01:37 AM

Crap that sucks. At one point in time he wanted to leave NU but he cameback. As much as we need his talent on the field I hope he gets things worked out off first.

Nuggets4 · 02-13-2007, 10:23 AM

My prayers to the Lucky family as well.

Evenrude · 02-13-2007, 05:01 PM

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pag...&u_sid=2330754

Lucky has been taken out of the ICU and is now in "fair" condition... his family has also issued a statement that there was no illicit drugs or alcohol in his system.

Props to the CU guys for giving thier well wishes...

Master___Pain · 02-13-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evenrude

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pag...&u_sid=2330754

Lucky has been taken out of the ICU and is now in "fair" condition... his family has also issued a statement that there was no illicit drugs or alcohol in his system.

Props to the CU guys for giving thier well wishes...

What exactly constitutes an illicit drug? Is that basically another term for illegal drugs? It was diagnosed as an overdose though correct? OD on pain killers? Didn't he have some surgery...or am I thinking of Wilson.

At any rate, glad to see he's doing much better.

Florida_Bronco · 02-13-2007, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evenrude

Props to the CU guys for giving thier well wishes...

I agree, that was very classy on their part.

Jens1893 · 02-13-2007, 07:04 PM

Good to hear he´s doing better. If it wasn´t an accidental overdose, it was a big cry for help and I hope he gets the help he needs.

Kid A · 02-14-2007, 12:13 AM

In happier news, the Husker basketball team whooped up on KSUck this evening. Certainly been an up an down season, but it's nice to see them win against a division rival.

Florida_Bronco · 02-14-2007, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kid A

In happier news, the Husker basketball team whooped up on KSUck this evening. Certainly been an up an down season, but it's nice to see them win against a division rival.

Where's SaulDoucheBag now?

BMF Bronco · 02-15-2007, 05:54 PM

Love the Avatar FB!

Florida_Bronco · 02-15-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMF Bronco

Love the Avatar FB!

Thanks bro, lets just hope it happens!

Kid A · 02-16-2007, 01:15 AM

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pag...&u_sid=2332127

Lucky is out of the hospital, which is great news. He sounds upbeat and ready to get back with his teamates. Best outcome I could have hoped for after hearing the initial news.

Master___Pain · 02-16-2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kid A

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pag...&u_sid=2332127

Lucky is out of the hospital, which is great news. He sounds upbeat and ready to get back with his teamates. Best outcome I could have hoped for after hearing the initial news.

That's great news. I happy to hear.

Pezman · 02-16-2007, 12:56 PM

Ack! I dont usually come in here fellas (Bugeaters give me the creeps

) Nonetheless, I'm very sorry to hear about Lucky and hope all the best for his recovery! Prayers all around for the guy.

Florida_Bronco · 02-21-2007, 09:27 PM

We gotta get this thread back up to the top!

DBroncos4life · 02-25-2007, 08:38 PM

Published Saturday | February 24, 2007
NU Football: Keller staying patient
BY RICH KAIPUST
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN - In the latter stages of a Midwestern winter, coming on the heels of a trying fall, the misconception with Sam Keller would be that the Nebraska quarterback is in this great hurry for the calendar to read Sept. 1 and for him to be running through the Memorial Stadium tunnel to play Nevada.

Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller said it's going to take some time to soak in the NU offense. "It's months of work and I'm glad I've got those months," he said.With that moment still more than six months away, Keller comes across in a more patient manner than expected.

There's a football team he needs to get to know better. A starting job he has to win. And, most importantly, an offense he still needs to master.

"It's months of work and I'm glad I've got those months," Keller said. "Don't get me wrong - I'm looking forward to playing, I can't wait to get back in the saddle. But the more time I have to master it the better, because it doesn't just happen overnight."

Keller is a veteran of three college seasons. Had he stayed for a fourth at Arizona State - and not transferred to Nebraska - he likely would be spending this weekend at the NFL Combine and preparing for the April draft. Instead, he hasn't played since October of 2005.

It would be easy to see why the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder from Danville, Calif., easily could be getting impatient. Only Keller refuses to let on that it's the case with him.

"My best weapon will be this offense," he said. "The best I can hone in on this offense, and know exactly what I'm doing every single play, then I think some big things can happen."

Coming off a redshirt season at NU, Keller's time as a Husker will speed up when spring practice starts March 21.

The attention that followed Keller to Nebraska subsided as Zac Taylor guided the Huskers to a Big 12 North title and 9-5 season in 2006. Keller kept a low profile. An interview session Friday was his first in six months.

That will all change before long as Keller becomes one of the main storylines to the 2007 season.

"It's just been a tumultuous time for him," said Mike Keller, his father. "He had to kind of lick his wounds, sit back and swallow his pride. But he did that, and I think that endeared him to his teammates.

"He feels really confident right now, I can hear it in his voice. He didn't feel that way through the whole transition because it was disruptive to the poor guy's life. Everything before had been pretty much in full order."

Before his falling out with ASU, Keller had thrown for 2,165 yards and 20 touchdowns in seven starts in 2005. Before a thumb injury disrupted that junior season, he had burned Louisiana State for 461 yards and four touchdowns, and started against Southern Cal and Oregon.

"I was on fire," Keller said, almost matter-of-factly.

Last fall, he was directing the Nebraska scout-team offense in practice. His only time with the No. 1s came in three practices just after the Big 12 championship game.

Scout-team duty wasn't so bad, actually. It gave him a chance to compete. Reminded him how much he loved playing. It was hardest on game days. Those were always what he lived for at Arizona State.

Junior-to-be Joe Ganz stands in his way of being the No. 1 quarterback coming out of spring practice. Ganz has been little-used the past two seasons, but knows the offense and will handle it at full speed in practice.

"I've got some things I need to do on this practice field right here before maybe fans throw me in there as the anointed one," Keller said. "It takes a lot of hard work in this offense."

Master___Pain · 02-26-2007, 07:27 PM

Former NU player taking the firing of Doak Ostergard to heart. Peddy and Cally called out in this open letter.

Mr. Pederson,

My name is Ben Kingston. I played football at UNL from 1995 thru 1999, many of the years you were also an employee of the university. I can honestly say that those 5 years were the best but hardest times of my life; I learned more about the type of person I was and, more importantly, the person who I wanted to become than at any other time in my life. A large part of that experience was due to the relationships that I formed with the coaches, the staff and the my teammates. As I'm sure you have heard, the character and tradition of Nebraska's program is what has separated (emphasis added) us from other institutions. This didn't happen by happenstance; it happened because its tradition was a reflection of the people of the state of Nebraska. The character of Nebraska's program, up until recently, has transcended each era and though it did change with the times, it didn't let the times change it. Nebraska's signature tradition was there when my uncle played in the early-70's. It was instilled in me by the Peter brothers, Grant, the Makovickas, et al. when I was a freshman. In 1999, when my fellow graduating seniors and I walked off the field in Tempe, AZ., for the final time donning scarlet and cream, we knew that we had done our very best to make sure that the program was being handed off to the freshman in at least the same shape as when we received it.

In the Nebraska "family," the coaches were the fathers, the upper classmen the big brother, and so on. Accordingly, the bar regarding character and attitude was set by the coaches and would only go as high or low as that which was exemplified by them. With Osborne and Solich, the bar was set very high. Players came from all walks of life, some with baggage, some without. Regardless, those who stuck it out became family and helped transcend the character of the program in the next generation of players. And because of such, most if not all of us left the the program with a tear in our eye because we knew we were truly loved as part of that family and that the Nebraska we knew would always be there with open arms when its family members returned. Sadly, in its present state, I'm now unsure whether or not this is still true. Which brings me to the point of this letter: The recent dismissal of Doak Ostergard.

During my time at Nebraska, I spent more time that I would have liked in the care of Doak. I first got to know him when he had me doing rehabilitation for a deep thigh bruise by running laps in the pool, along side Brook Berringer. Over the course of the next 4 years, during the ups and downs, he was a man in whom I developed unquestionable trust in his abilities as our head athletic trainer, and who became and still is a good friend. Whether your were first team or scout team, Doak and his staff did all that they could to see that you received only the best treatment while, at the same time, making sure that he lightened up the situation brought on by the inevitable pressures on a player.

When I blew out my knee during spring ball before my sophomore year, Doak was the one who made me chuckle in the training room only minutes after I was carted off the field and thought the world had come to an end. When I didn't have the heart to call my father to tell him about my injury because I didn't want to hear the sadness in his voice, Doak took it upon himself to make that call and put my father at ease. I often saw him stick up for players when a coach thought a player's injury to be less severe than it appeared. Much like a physician, he was an advocate for his players and was objective in his assessment; not to be swayed by the pressures of the program.

The reason I tell you this is because I know that your current players see Doak in the same light. And you have done them a great disservice by your actions, the etiology of which I am almost certain is personal, be it yours or Callahan's.

What is even more interesting is that I know that Coaches Osborne and Solich would echo the above. Two very meticulous coaches who were a part of at least 3 national championship teams also placed their trust in Doak Ostergard. No questions asked. This was evidenced by the fact that he was promoted to head athletic trainer when Jack Nicolite left to become a PA following the '95 championship season. Further, based on my experiences as a player, I also knew that the fine team of orthopedic surgeons believed in Doak and considered him one of the best at what he did. Don't you think that they, along with Dr. Albers, may be in a better position to evaluate Doak's proficiency in fulfilling his duties? Or have they and their opinions just fallen on deaf ears? Or, was his dismissal because of something completely unrelated to his job performance. I believe that in time, the facts will come out to support the latter.

Now, as an attorney, I see a lot of BS. Living out her in L.A., I'm knee deep. And well, in regard to the issue at hand, if I had to teach one of my young associates to spot a BS statement while taking the deposition of say, an athletic director or football coach, exhibit number one would be:

"Doak, you are not going to be kept on because we are taking athletic medicine in another direction. Thank you. Good bye."

Are you kidding me? What does that mean?

I would have loved for a journalist to have asked you or Bill that question at the beginning of the 2006 season.

Journalist: "So, Bill...in what direction do you see the Department of Athletic Medicine going in 2006?"

Bill: "Uh....medicine, what? Can you repeat the question?"

I now have a headache.

First, Steve, Bill, or whoever, if you can't give the man his dignity by being truthful, at least wake up 30 minutes earlier in the morning, throw on a fresh pot of coffee to get that caffeine-high creativity, and come up with something that at least makes sense instead of just regurgitating what you heard said on ESPN the previous night by the San Diego Charger's General Manager as to his reasoning for the firing of Marty Schottenheimer.

New rule for 2007: You are no longer allowed to used the word "direction" when it relates to the field of employment.

I digress.

I can honestly say, based on my conversations with the former players, coaches, etc., that we now feel that the "Nebraska" we knew, the character that made this family great, has been lost...at least for now. This sentiment has been driven home most recently by your firing of Doak Ostergard. There was the Nebraska of Devaney, Osborne and Solich. And now there is the Nebraska of today. Please do not doubt the sincerity or accuracy of this statement. This "paradise lost" was not because of you choosing to "adapt to the times," "upgrade our facilities," or the like. It was lost because you, and now I realize Coach Callahan, do not know, or do not care about upholding and continuing Nebraska's tradition of character, integrity, attitude, sacrifice and family. One where egotism and megalomania are absent or, at the very least, take a back seat to what is in the best interest of the program and out of respect for the pillars of tradition on which the program was built. Unfortunately, starting at the top, it now seems that the tradition that was handed down over generations, even eras, was left behind when you decided that the program was going to be a reflection you and Bill, rather than what the program already was conceptually. When you and Callahan saw Nebraska as a blank canvass to paint any picture you deemed fit, a masterpiece was destroyed.

Steve, of course I am aware that being in an administrative position calls upon you to make difficult decisions. And no matter how you decide, you are always going to make some people unhappy. However, there are decisions which are just plain wrong, where the method of execution is even more wrong, and where the aforementioned axiom won't provide you any real-world justification. Case-in-point: Doak Ostergard.

I write this letter because Doak is a friend, a person I and countless other players believe in and, on what facts I have collected (more than you may think), believe he was treated very unfairly. No, unconscionably. Also, a lot of what I said has been collecting for some time, beginning in December 2003, and given last week's events, I felt that I needed to state was is contained herein.

I have bcc'ed a number of my fellow Nebraskans, including former players and friends. I hope that further comment by them will only further impress upon you and Mr. Callahan the fault of your actions.

I will always bleed Husker-red. I will always support the players and Nebraska. But Steve, rest assured, the players, past and present, are the true keepers of this program, not you and those under your pen. We now eagerly wait for our Cincinnatus to return.

Very truly yours,

Ben Kingston
Fullback, Class of '99

Kid A · 02-27-2007, 09:59 AM

Yeah, the ex-players are always going to be nostalgic of the "family values" of the old guard, but I'm not sure this is really a reason to get ticked at Peddy. If Callahan wanted a new head trainer, for whatever reason, I don't think it had to do with Callahan caring less about building a "family" environment. Maybe he and Ostergard didn't see eye to eye on a lot of things. Maybe Callahan just thinks someone else could do a better job. Either way, I don't think the former players are really in the position to be so critical of a head coach making staffing decisions.

Interestingly enough, another former player is releasing a book http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pag...&u_sid=2335619
that is fairly critical of the Solich years and how he ran things.

Master___Pain · 02-27-2007, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kid A

Yeah, the ex-players are always going to be nostalgic of the "family values" of the old guard, but I'm not sure this is really a reason to get ticked at Peddy. If Callahan wanted a new head trainer, for whatever reason, I don't think it had to do with Callahan caring less about building a "family" environment. Maybe he and Ostergard didn't see eye to eye on a lot of things. Maybe Callahan just thinks someone else could do a better job. Either way, I don't think the former players are really in the position to be so critical of a head coach making staffing decisions.

Interestingly enough, another former player is releasing a book http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pag...&u_sid=2335619
that is fairly critical of the Solich years and how he ran things.

It does sound like Kingston is being nostalgic but many of the NU fans that I have talked to are fearful of Cally and Pederson "abandoning" the past. By that they meant that it's fine if the offense is going to change but that former coaches, players and all the things that have made Nebraska football are not received all that well. I have no idea if this is true or not, just what some NU folks had said.

There was the same fallout/backlash when Doc Kries was fired from CU 4-5 years ago.

Kid A · 03-29-2007, 02:19 PM

When it rains it pours...Kenny Wilson is out for the season with a broken leg (from carrying a TV no less) and Zac Bowman, whilst recovering from last years acl tear, ruptured the patellar tendon in his healthy knee in practice, creating serious doubt he will play next season. We now have only one sort of healthy RB (Lucky) and our best CB looks to be lost for yet another season. This ****ing blows.

02-16-2007, 12:56 PM	#1494
Pezman Livin the dream Andy did you hear about this one? Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Smoggy SoCal Posts: 9,833 Adopt-a-Bronco: DJ Williams	Ack! I dont usually come in here fellas (Bugeaters give me the creeps ) Nonetheless, I'm very sorry to hear about Lucky and hope all the best for his recovery! Prayers all around for the guy. __________________ Sitting on a beach, earning 20%

02-25-2007, 08:38 PM	#1496
DBroncos4life Hey pic Mod!?!?! FU Why yes, that is Bacon Bacon. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The wrong side of right. Posts: 26,584	Our future Heisman winner right here. Published Saturday \| February 24, 2007 NU Football: Keller staying patient BY RICH KAIPUST WORLD-HERALD BUREAU LINCOLN - In the latter stages of a Midwestern winter, coming on the heels of a trying fall, the misconception with Sam Keller would be that the Nebraska quarterback is in this great hurry for the calendar to read Sept. 1 and for him to be running through the Memorial Stadium tunnel to play Nevada. Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller said it's going to take some time to soak in the NU offense. "It's months of work and I'm glad I've got those months," he said.With that moment still more than six months away, Keller comes across in a more patient manner than expected. There's a football team he needs to get to know better. A starting job he has to win. And, most importantly, an offense he still needs to master. "It's months of work and I'm glad I've got those months," Keller said. "Don't get me wrong - I'm looking forward to playing, I can't wait to get back in the saddle. But the more time I have to master it the better, because it doesn't just happen overnight." Keller is a veteran of three college seasons. Had he stayed for a fourth at Arizona State - and not transferred to Nebraska - he likely would be spending this weekend at the NFL Combine and preparing for the April draft. Instead, he hasn't played since October of 2005. It would be easy to see why the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder from Danville, Calif., easily could be getting impatient. Only Keller refuses to let on that it's the case with him. "My best weapon will be this offense," he said. "The best I can hone in on this offense, and know exactly what I'm doing every single play, then I think some big things can happen." Coming off a redshirt season at NU, Keller's time as a Husker will speed up when spring practice starts March 21. The attention that followed Keller to Nebraska subsided as Zac Taylor guided the Huskers to a Big 12 North title and 9-5 season in 2006. Keller kept a low profile. An interview session Friday was his first in six months. That will all change before long as Keller becomes one of the main storylines to the 2007 season. "It's just been a tumultuous time for him," said Mike Keller, his father. "He had to kind of lick his wounds, sit back and swallow his pride. But he did that, and I think that endeared him to his teammates. "He feels really confident right now, I can hear it in his voice. He didn't feel that way through the whole transition because it was disruptive to the poor guy's life. Everything before had been pretty much in full order." Before his falling out with ASU, Keller had thrown for 2,165 yards and 20 touchdowns in seven starts in 2005. Before a thumb injury disrupted that junior season, he had burned Louisiana State for 461 yards and four touchdowns, and started against Southern Cal and Oregon. "I was on fire," Keller said, almost matter-of-factly. Last fall, he was directing the Nebraska scout-team offense in practice. His only time with the No. 1s came in three practices just after the Big 12 championship game. Scout-team duty wasn't so bad, actually. It gave him a chance to compete. Reminded him how much he loved playing. It was hardest on game days. Those were always what he lived for at Arizona State. Junior-to-be Joe Ganz stands in his way of being the No. 1 quarterback coming out of spring practice. Ganz has been little-used the past two seasons, but knows the offense and will handle it at full speed in practice. "I've got some things I need to do on this practice field right here before maybe fans throw me in there as the anointed one," Keller said. "It takes a lot of hard work in this offense."

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02-12-2007, 07:44 PM	#1477
Jens1893 Ring of Famer Join Date: May 2001 Location: People´s Republic of Bad Cannstatt Posts: 9,170	http://www.wowt.com/sports/headlines/5760306.html

02-13-2007, 12:33 AM	#1479
Florida_Bronco Got trolls? Welcome to Mile High, Brady! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 13,810 Adopt-a-Bronco: Brady Quinn	That's not good. Any idea what he overdosed on?

02-13-2007, 01:14 AM	#1480
Evenrude Ring of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,276 Adopt-a-Bronco: Joe Mays	Early word is that it was nothing illegal... but details are sketchy at this point. He seems like a very clean cut, good person... I hope things work out ok.

02-13-2007, 01:18 AM	#1481
Master___Pain Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The Springs Posts: 4,605 Adopt-a-Bronco: Rock Hoover	Prayers go out to Marlon. Terrible to hear anything like this happening to a young man. God speed Marlon, get well.

02-13-2007, 01:37 AM	#1482
DBroncos4life Hey pic Mod!?!?! FU Why yes, that is Bacon Bacon. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The wrong side of right. Posts: 26,584	Crap that sucks. At one point in time he wanted to leave NU but he cameback. As much as we need his talent on the field I hope he gets things worked out off first.

02-13-2007, 10:23 AM	#1483
Nuggets4 Requisite Nugs Die-Hard Buffaloes, Buffaloes, Go C-U! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 4,360 Adopt-a-Bronco: Allen Iverson	My prayers to the Lucky family as well.

02-13-2007, 05:01 PM	#1484
Evenrude Ring of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,276 Adopt-a-Bronco: Joe Mays	http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pag...&u_sid=2330754 Lucky has been taken out of the ICU and is now in "fair" condition... his family has also issued a statement that there was no illicit drugs or alcohol in his system. Props to the CU guys for giving thier well wishes...

02-13-2007, 07:04 PM	#1487
Jens1893 Ring of Famer Join Date: May 2001 Location: People´s Republic of Bad Cannstatt Posts: 9,170	Good to hear he´s doing better. If it wasn´t an accidental overdose, it was a big cry for help and I hope he gets the help he needs.

02-14-2007, 12:13 AM	#1488
Kid A Ring of Famer I don't need love. I just need wins Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,594	In happier news, the Husker basketball team whooped up on KSUck this evening. Certainly been an up an down season, but it's nice to see them win against a division rival.

02-15-2007, 05:54 PM	#1490
BMF Bronco Offseason sucks... Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 11,724 Adopt-a-Bronco: ME	Love the Avatar FB!

02-16-2007, 01:15 AM	#1492
Kid A Ring of Famer I don't need love. I just need wins Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,594	http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pag...&u_sid=2332127 Lucky is out of the hospital, which is great news. He sounds upbeat and ready to get back with his teamates. Best outcome I could have hoped for after hearing the initial news.

02-21-2007, 09:27 PM	#1495
Florida_Bronco Got trolls? Welcome to Mile High, Brady! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 13,810 Adopt-a-Bronco: Brady Quinn	We gotta get this thread back up to the top!

02-26-2007, 07:27 PM	#1497
Master___Pain Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The Springs Posts: 4,605 Adopt-a-Bronco: Rock Hoover	Former NU player taking the firing of Doak Ostergard to heart. Peddy and Cally called out in this open letter. Mr. Pederson, My name is Ben Kingston. I played football at UNL from 1995 thru 1999, many of the years you were also an employee of the university. I can honestly say that those 5 years were the best but hardest times of my life; I learned more about the type of person I was and, more importantly, the person who I wanted to become than at any other time in my life. A large part of that experience was due to the relationships that I formed with the coaches, the staff and the my teammates. As I'm sure you have heard, the character and tradition of Nebraska's program is what has separated (emphasis added) us from other institutions. This didn't happen by happenstance; it happened because its tradition was a reflection of the people of the state of Nebraska. The character of Nebraska's program, up until recently, has transcended each era and though it did change with the times, it didn't let the times change it. Nebraska's signature tradition was there when my uncle played in the early-70's. It was instilled in me by the Peter brothers, Grant, the Makovickas, et al. when I was a freshman. In 1999, when my fellow graduating seniors and I walked off the field in Tempe, AZ., for the final time donning scarlet and cream, we knew that we had done our very best to make sure that the program was being handed off to the freshman in at least the same shape as when we received it. In the Nebraska "family," the coaches were the fathers, the upper classmen the big brother, and so on. Accordingly, the bar regarding character and attitude was set by the coaches and would only go as high or low as that which was exemplified by them. With Osborne and Solich, the bar was set very high. Players came from all walks of life, some with baggage, some without. Regardless, those who stuck it out became family and helped transcend the character of the program in the next generation of players. And because of such, most if not all of us left the the program with a tear in our eye because we knew we were truly loved as part of that family and that the Nebraska we knew would always be there with open arms when its family members returned. Sadly, in its present state, I'm now unsure whether or not this is still true. Which brings me to the point of this letter: The recent dismissal of Doak Ostergard. During my time at Nebraska, I spent more time that I would have liked in the care of Doak. I first got to know him when he had me doing rehabilitation for a deep thigh bruise by running laps in the pool, along side Brook Berringer. Over the course of the next 4 years, during the ups and downs, he was a man in whom I developed unquestionable trust in his abilities as our head athletic trainer, and who became and still is a good friend. Whether your were first team or scout team, Doak and his staff did all that they could to see that you received only the best treatment while, at the same time, making sure that he lightened up the situation brought on by the inevitable pressures on a player. When I blew out my knee during spring ball before my sophomore year, Doak was the one who made me chuckle in the training room only minutes after I was carted off the field and thought the world had come to an end. When I didn't have the heart to call my father to tell him about my injury because I didn't want to hear the sadness in his voice, Doak took it upon himself to make that call and put my father at ease. I often saw him stick up for players when a coach thought a player's injury to be less severe than it appeared. Much like a physician, he was an advocate for his players and was objective in his assessment; not to be swayed by the pressures of the program. The reason I tell you this is because I know that your current players see Doak in the same light. And you have done them a great disservice by your actions, the etiology of which I am almost certain is personal, be it yours or Callahan's. What is even more interesting is that I know that Coaches Osborne and Solich would echo the above. Two very meticulous coaches who were a part of at least 3 national championship teams also placed their trust in Doak Ostergard. No questions asked. This was evidenced by the fact that he was promoted to head athletic trainer when Jack Nicolite left to become a PA following the '95 championship season. Further, based on my experiences as a player, I also knew that the fine team of orthopedic surgeons believed in Doak and considered him one of the best at what he did. Don't you think that they, along with Dr. Albers, may be in a better position to evaluate Doak's proficiency in fulfilling his duties? Or have they and their opinions just fallen on deaf ears? Or, was his dismissal because of something completely unrelated to his job performance. I believe that in time, the facts will come out to support the latter. Now, as an attorney, I see a lot of BS. Living out her in L.A., I'm knee deep. And well, in regard to the issue at hand, if I had to teach one of my young associates to spot a BS statement while taking the deposition of say, an athletic director or football coach, exhibit number one would be: "Doak, you are not going to be kept on because we are taking athletic medicine in another direction. Thank you. Good bye." Are you kidding me? What does that mean? I would have loved for a journalist to have asked you or Bill that question at the beginning of the 2006 season. Journalist: "So, Bill...in what direction do you see the Department of Athletic Medicine going in 2006?" Bill: "Uh....medicine, what? Can you repeat the question?" I now have a headache. First, Steve, Bill, or whoever, if you can't give the man his dignity by being truthful, at least wake up 30 minutes earlier in the morning, throw on a fresh pot of coffee to get that caffeine-high creativity, and come up with something that at least makes sense instead of just regurgitating what you heard said on ESPN the previous night by the San Diego Charger's General Manager as to his reasoning for the firing of Marty Schottenheimer. New rule for 2007: You are no longer allowed to used the word "direction" when it relates to the field of employment. I digress. I can honestly say, based on my conversations with the former players, coaches, etc., that we now feel that the "Nebraska" we knew, the character that made this family great, has been lost...at least for now. This sentiment has been driven home most recently by your firing of Doak Ostergard. There was the Nebraska of Devaney, Osborne and Solich. And now there is the Nebraska of today. Please do not doubt the sincerity or accuracy of this statement. This "paradise lost" was not because of you choosing to "adapt to the times," "upgrade our facilities," or the like. It was lost because you, and now I realize Coach Callahan, do not know, or do not care about upholding and continuing Nebraska's tradition of character, integrity, attitude, sacrifice and family. One where egotism and megalomania are absent or, at the very least, take a back seat to what is in the best interest of the program and out of respect for the pillars of tradition on which the program was built. Unfortunately, starting at the top, it now seems that the tradition that was handed down over generations, even eras, was left behind when you decided that the program was going to be a reflection you and Bill, rather than what the program already was conceptually. When you and Callahan saw Nebraska as a blank canvass to paint any picture you deemed fit, a masterpiece was destroyed. Steve, of course I am aware that being in an administrative position calls upon you to make difficult decisions. And no matter how you decide, you are always going to make some people unhappy. However, there are decisions which are just plain wrong, where the method of execution is even more wrong, and where the aforementioned axiom won't provide you any real-world justification. Case-in-point: Doak Ostergard. I write this letter because Doak is a friend, a person I and countless other players believe in and, on what facts I have collected (more than you may think), believe he was treated very unfairly. No, unconscionably. Also, a lot of what I said has been collecting for some time, beginning in December 2003, and given last week's events, I felt that I needed to state was is contained herein. I have bcc'ed a number of my fellow Nebraskans, including former players and friends. I hope that further comment by them will only further impress upon you and Mr. Callahan the fault of your actions. I will always bleed Husker-red. I will always support the players and Nebraska. But Steve, rest assured, the players, past and present, are the true keepers of this program, not you and those under your pen. We now eagerly wait for our Cincinnatus to return. Very truly yours, Ben Kingston Fullback, Class of '99

02-27-2007, 09:59 AM	#1498
Kid A Ring of Famer I don't need love. I just need wins Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,594	Yeah, the ex-players are always going to be nostalgic of the "family values" of the old guard, but I'm not sure this is really a reason to get ticked at Peddy. If Callahan wanted a new head trainer, for whatever reason, I don't think it had to do with Callahan caring less about building a "family" environment. Maybe he and Ostergard didn't see eye to eye on a lot of things. Maybe Callahan just thinks someone else could do a better job. Either way, I don't think the former players are really in the position to be so critical of a head coach making staffing decisions. Interestingly enough, another former player is releasing a book http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pag...&u_sid=2335619 that is fairly critical of the Solich years and how he ran things.

03-29-2007, 02:19 PM	#1500
Kid A Ring of Famer I don't need love. I just need wins Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,594	When it rains it pours...Kenny Wilson is out for the season with a broken leg (from carrying a TV no less) and Zac Bowman, whilst recovering from last years acl tear, ruptured the patellar tendon in his healthy knee in practice, creating serious doubt he will play next season. We now have only one sort of healthy RB (Lucky) and our best CB looks to be lost for yet another season. This ****ing blows.