Pederson out as Nebraska AD - The Orange Mane

Jens1893 · 10-15-2007, 03:15 PM

He just got the boot it seems. Wonder what this means for Cally.

Jens1893 · 10-15-2007, 03:29 PM

http://www.journalstar.com/huskerext...7196520867.txt

Steve Pederson is out as Nebraska’s athletic director. It was announced at 2:15 Monday afternoon in a press release by Chancellor Harvey Perlman.

The move comes two days after Nebraska’s football team suffered its worst home loss since 1958, prompting widespread concern about the direction of the football program under Pederson’s most notable hire, Bill Callahan.

Less than three months ago, Perlman extended Pederson’s contract through June 2013.

Pederson, a North Platte native and University of Nebraska graduate, was hired on Dec. 20, 2002. He’d served the previous six seasons as athletic director at Pittsburgh, where he helped rebuild that program’s facilities.

Pederson initially arrived in Lincoln with great fanfare, lauded by many as a Nebraska native with Midwest values who understood the culture and would fit perfectly in his new position.

Those thoughts changed a year later. Pederson fired football coach Frank Solich in December of 2003, saying, “I refuse to let this program gravitate to mediocrity,” and that he wouldn’t surrender the Big 12 Conference to Oklahoma and Texas.

Those are comments critics have used against Pederson after each of Nebraska’s troubling defeats under Callahan’s watch. Callahan, in his fourth season, is 26-18 overall and 14-13 in Big 12 Conference games. Pederson signed Callahan to a five-year contract extension on Sept. 4.

The firing of Solich — which came after Nebraska completed a 9-3 regular season — was followed by a coaching search that lasted more than 40 days, prompting more debate. Pederson was criticized for not being open and honest with public and media.

Pederson has again been recently evasive, refusing to field fans’ calls last week on his weekly radio call-in show.

Pederson finally turned to Callahan, recently fired from the NFL’s Oakland Raiders. Before hiring Callahan on Jan. 9, 2004, several coaches turned down Pederson’s overtures, including Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders.

Pederson also helped revamp Nebraska’s football facilities, leading the $40 million expansion of North Stadium — a project that increased Memorial Stadium’s capacity to 81,067 and boosted Nebraska’s recruiting edge with a new locker room, weight room, indoor practice building and training facilities.

Nebraska’s self-supporting athletic department has remained in sound financial shape under Pederson’s watch. Other notable Pederson hires include Nebraska men’s basketball coach Doc Sadler, who’s been widely accepted by fans.

Pederson’s first job in college athletics was as an NU sports information assistant in 1980. He was Nebraska’s recruiting coordinator from 1982-86 and also served as recruiting coordinator at Tennessee and Ohio State. He returned to Lincoln as an associate athletic director for football operations from 1994-96 before leaving for Pittsburgh.

Kid A · 10-15-2007, 03:32 PM

See ya later, jackass. Perlman doesn't come out of this looking much better, consider he extended him through 2013 a few months ago. Callahan is a dead man walking unless we witness one of the most incredible turnarounds in sports history. Bo Pelini.

Again, for emphasis. Bo Pelini.

Jens1893 · 10-15-2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kid A

See ya later, jackass. Perlman doesn't come out of this looking much better, consider he extended him through 2013 a few months ago. Callahan is a dead man walking unless we witness one of the most incredible turnarounds in sports history. Bo Pelini.

Again, for emphasis. Bo Pelini.

Sure must be fun playing with and wasting someone else´s money ....

SoCalBronco · 10-15-2007, 03:39 PM

I think Callahan will have to have the 08 season, if for no other reason then to lessen the hit on the buyout. I know Nebraska is a rich program, but you can't just eat 3.5 million or whatever like its nothing.

Master___Pain · 10-15-2007, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

I think Callahan will have to have the 08 season, if for no other reason then to lessen the hit on the buyout. I know Nebraska is a rich program, but you can't just eat 3.5 million or whatever like its nothing.

I hope, from a CU perspective that throat slash is back next year. A lame duck coach is really going to hurt recruiting and it's not going to get the huskers rallying around the coach. I can't see cally back for 2008

Kid A · 10-15-2007, 03:46 PM

Those contract extensions are going to be a big issue. But if they are firing the AD at mid-season, I don't think Callahan has a chance. The booster have made it clear they will pay as much as needed to get this regime out. It will be a heavy price to eat, but the only way the University is going to get the donors and boosters back on their side is to clean house.

Also, to be clear, I don't believe firing Pederson is going to be a cure all. Even if we do clean house, we have a long road ahead. The hope had been that Callahan could rebuild the program. For three years it looked like we might be headed in that direction. Obviously, it's not going to happen. Hopefully we can follow the lead of Oklahoma in the 90s.

Rohirrim · 10-15-2007, 03:53 PM

Ah, the Husker program is going down in flames. Let me pull up a chair and warm my hands.

I can understand how it happened. You've got two hundred corn fed farm boys all running in the same direction year after year, then you bring in Callahan and they're all like, "Coach? What's a pass?" These things take time.

Kid A · 10-15-2007, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

Ah, the Husker program is going down in flames. Let me pull up a chair and warm my hands.

No, we're simply starting to put out the fire. Now we must rise from the ashes!

Jens1893 · 10-15-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

Ah, the Husker program is going down in flames. Let me pull up a chair and warm my hands.

"Getcha popcorn ready!"

Master___Pain · 10-15-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kid A

No, we're simply starting to put out the fire. Now we must rise from the ashes!

Still have 5 more big logs to throw on the fire

Firing Peterson is not going to help the football team win any more games this season. I think it's safe to say that ole Throatslash is officially a lame duck coach. Pretty sure you will see another new offensive system in 2008.

Evenrude · 10-15-2007, 04:12 PM

I am hearing Tom Osborne as interm AD and Dave Rimington as assistant AD being groomed to take over in 3-4 years.

Rohirrim · 10-15-2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kid A

No, we're simply starting to put out the fire. Now we must rise from the ashes!

I can understand how it could happen. For years you have two hundred corn fed farm boys all running in the same direction, then suddenly you bring in Callahan and it's like, "Coach? What's a pass?" These things take time.

Master___Pain · 10-15-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evenrude

I am hearing Tom Osborne as interm AD and Dave Rimington as assistant AD being groomed to take over in 3-4 years.

Makes sense. Hopefully Dr. Tom's new hand picked coach turns out as well as the last one.

My guess, Turner Gill is the next coach at NU

Hercules Rockefeller · 10-15-2007, 05:10 PM

I vote for Shawn Watson

Billy Clyde Puckett · 10-15-2007, 06:33 PM

Dave Rimington? The original Mr Steroid?

Firing Pederson is pissing on a forest fire.

bpc · 10-15-2007, 09:34 PM

Nice, hopefully some of those Nebraska recruits start reconsidering their verbals.

I'm suprised it took this long for Callahan to suck it up.

DBroncos4life · 10-15-2007, 11:39 PM

Peterson did do things for us that where good. Its the way he did things to spit the fans that killed him. Cally recruiting class for this up coming year has been awesome but now I'm worried about it. Still I don't think he gets the ax this year. My father pointed out with the AD gone you and Dr Tom in the fans will rally around this team more. Maybe now some of the coaches will coach like there job is on the Fing line!!!!

DBroncos4life · 10-15-2007, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master___Pain

Makes sense. Hopefully Dr. Tom's new hand picked coach turns out as well as the last one.

My guess, Turner Gill is the next coach at NU

Gill would be first on the list from what Ive been told. The problem Frank had is he wouldn't recruit. He passed on way more talented players. He could coach though. He got a lot out of lesser players.

10-15-2007, 03:15 PM	#1
Jens1893 Ring of Famer Join Date: May 2001 Location: People´s Republic of Bad Cannstatt Posts: 9,170	Pederson out as Nebraska AD He just got the boot it seems. Wonder what this means for Cally.

10-15-2007, 03:39 PM	#5
SoCalBronco Nixonite Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 33,509 Adopt-a-Bronco: D.J. Williams	I think Callahan will have to have the 08 season, if for no other reason then to lessen the hit on the buyout. I know Nebraska is a rich program, but you can't just eat 3.5 million or whatever like its nothing. __________________ ITS A PLAYOFF HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH!

10-15-2007, 03:53 PM	#8
Rohirrim Partisan Human Cannonball Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Twixt Hell & Highwater Posts: 49,113	Ah, the Husker program is going down in flames. Let me pull up a chair and warm my hands. I can understand how it happened. You've got two hundred corn fed farm boys all running in the same direction year after year, then you bring in Callahan and they're all like, "Coach? What's a pass?" These things take time. Last edited by Rohirrim; 10-15-2007 at 04:10 PM..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-15-2007, 03:29 PM	#2
Jens1893 Ring of Famer Join Date: May 2001 Location: People´s Republic of Bad Cannstatt Posts: 9,170	http://www.journalstar.com/huskerext...7196520867.txt Steve Pederson is out as Nebraska’s athletic director. It was announced at 2:15 Monday afternoon in a press release by Chancellor Harvey Perlman. The move comes two days after Nebraska’s football team suffered its worst home loss since 1958, prompting widespread concern about the direction of the football program under Pederson’s most notable hire, Bill Callahan. Less than three months ago, Perlman extended Pederson’s contract through June 2013. Pederson, a North Platte native and University of Nebraska graduate, was hired on Dec. 20, 2002. He’d served the previous six seasons as athletic director at Pittsburgh, where he helped rebuild that program’s facilities. Pederson initially arrived in Lincoln with great fanfare, lauded by many as a Nebraska native with Midwest values who understood the culture and would fit perfectly in his new position. Those thoughts changed a year later. Pederson fired football coach Frank Solich in December of 2003, saying, “I refuse to let this program gravitate to mediocrity,” and that he wouldn’t surrender the Big 12 Conference to Oklahoma and Texas. Those are comments critics have used against Pederson after each of Nebraska’s troubling defeats under Callahan’s watch. Callahan, in his fourth season, is 26-18 overall and 14-13 in Big 12 Conference games. Pederson signed Callahan to a five-year contract extension on Sept. 4. The firing of Solich — which came after Nebraska completed a 9-3 regular season — was followed by a coaching search that lasted more than 40 days, prompting more debate. Pederson was criticized for not being open and honest with public and media. Pederson has again been recently evasive, refusing to field fans’ calls last week on his weekly radio call-in show. Pederson finally turned to Callahan, recently fired from the NFL’s Oakland Raiders. Before hiring Callahan on Jan. 9, 2004, several coaches turned down Pederson’s overtures, including Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders. Pederson also helped revamp Nebraska’s football facilities, leading the $40 million expansion of North Stadium — a project that increased Memorial Stadium’s capacity to 81,067 and boosted Nebraska’s recruiting edge with a new locker room, weight room, indoor practice building and training facilities. Nebraska’s self-supporting athletic department has remained in sound financial shape under Pederson’s watch. Other notable Pederson hires include Nebraska men’s basketball coach Doc Sadler, who’s been widely accepted by fans. Pederson’s first job in college athletics was as an NU sports information assistant in 1980. He was Nebraska’s recruiting coordinator from 1982-86 and also served as recruiting coordinator at Tennessee and Ohio State. He returned to Lincoln as an associate athletic director for football operations from 1994-96 before leaving for Pittsburgh.

10-15-2007, 03:32 PM	#3
Kid A Ring of Famer I don't need love. I just need wins Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,665 Adopt-a-Bronco: Rahim Moore	See ya later, jackass. Perlman doesn't come out of this looking much better, consider he extended him through 2013 a few months ago. Callahan is a dead man walking unless we witness one of the most incredible turnarounds in sports history. Bo Pelini. Again, for emphasis. Bo Pelini.

10-15-2007, 03:46 PM	#7
Kid A Ring of Famer I don't need love. I just need wins Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,665 Adopt-a-Bronco: Rahim Moore	Those contract extensions are going to be a big issue. But if they are firing the AD at mid-season, I don't think Callahan has a chance. The booster have made it clear they will pay as much as needed to get this regime out. It will be a heavy price to eat, but the only way the University is going to get the donors and boosters back on their side is to clean house. Also, to be clear, I don't believe firing Pederson is going to be a cure all. Even if we do clean house, we have a long road ahead. The hope had been that Callahan could rebuild the program. For three years it looked like we might be headed in that direction. Obviously, it's not going to happen. Hopefully we can follow the lead of Oklahoma in the 90s.

10-15-2007, 04:12 PM	#12
Evenrude Ring of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,276 Adopt-a-Bronco: Joe Mays	I am hearing Tom Osborne as interm AD and Dave Rimington as assistant AD being groomed to take over in 3-4 years.

10-15-2007, 05:10 PM	#15
Hercules Rockefeller Ring of Famer Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 16,013 Adopt-a-Bronco: DJ Williams	I vote for Shawn Watson

10-15-2007, 06:33 PM	#16
Billy Clyde Puckett Billy=Semi Tough Big Guy Looking down on KC, SD and Oakland Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: between 5,000 and 10,000 feet elevation Posts: 12,665 Adopt-a-Bronco: John Elway	Dave Rimington? The original Mr Steroid? Firing Pederson is pissing on a forest fire.

10-15-2007, 09:34 PM	#17
bpc "Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" 1 sword keeps another in the sheath Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 12,580 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	Nice, hopefully some of those Nebraska recruits start reconsidering their verbals. I'm suprised it took this long for Callahan to suck it up.

10-15-2007, 11:39 PM	#18
DBroncos4life Hey pic Mod!?!?! FU Why yes, that is Bacon Bacon. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The wrong side of right. Posts: 26,986 Adopt-a-Bronco: Julius "Fluff"	Peterson did do things for us that where good. Its the way he did things to spit the fans that killed him. Cally recruiting class for this up coming year has been awesome but now I'm worried about it. Still I don't think he gets the ax this year. My father pointed out with the AD gone you and Dr Tom in the fans will rally around this team more. Maybe now some of the coaches will coach like there job is on the Fing line!!!!