Callahan will be NU's head coach

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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE

Bill Callahan is about to become the next head football coach at Nebraska.

Callahan, 47, was still in Lincoln on Thursday night, and two sources close to the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the Journal Star that the former Oakland Raiders coach would be hired to replace Frank Solich, who was fired Nov. 29.

While leaving the Embassy Suites in downtown Lincoln at about 7 p.m. Thursday, Callahan told reporters, "I'll talk to you guys later."

Callahan's agent, Gary O'Hagan, told the Journal Star on Thursday night: "Things are progressing. That's all I can say."

The San Francisco Chronicle, in today's editions, cited an unnamed source close to Callahan as saying he had accepted the job. ESPN also reported the hiring.

Details of a potential deal were unavailable, but NU athletic director Steve Pederson has said he is willing to pay about $1.5 million per year.

Nebraska assistants Bo Pelini and Turner Gill interviewed for the job Wednesday and were awaiting official word Thursday night.

"Ithought it'd be over today," said Pelini, a 36-year-old defensive coordinator.

"I'm just waiting like everyone else," said Gill, a 41-year-old quarterbacks coach.

Callahan, who was fired by the Raiders on Dec. 31, one season after leading them to the Super Bowl, met with Pederson on Thursday morning at Memorial Stadium before heading back to the Embassy Suites.

Pederson was scheduled to appear at a Special Olympics event Thursday morning in Omaha, but associate athletic director Marc Boehm appeared in Pederson's place.

When asked about the coaching search, Boehm told The Associated Press the process "will come to a close shortly."

Pederson picked up Callahan at the Embassy Suites about noon and politely declined to disclose details of Callahan's visit.

"I'll let you know when there's something to say," Pederson said.

Callahan's wife, Valerie, briefly visited Lincoln Pius X High School Thursday afternoon, according to school officials.

The Callahans have four children, including a daughter in grade school, a daughter in junior high and a son in high school.

Callahan's oldest son, Brian, a redshirt freshman quarterback at UCLA, said late Thursday night that he had heard nothing from his father since 10 a.m. but was still expecting a call.

Tom Lemming, an ESPN recruiting analyst and longtime friend of Callahan, said Nebraska would be getting a "great offensive mind" if Callahan indeed is NU's next head coach. What's more, Lemming said, Callahan has a keen eye for talent, communicates well with young players and is a tireless worker.

"He's relentless," Lemming said. "Within two or three years, I think Nebraska will be a powerhouse offensively. Anybody who saw the Raiders in 2002, that's Callahan to a T."

Jeremy Crabtree, a recruiting analyst for rivals.com, also praised Callahan's recruiting prowess.

"He's a bulldog,"Crabtree said."He gets after it. His reputation in the coaching community is first-rate."

Callahan was reportedly scheduled to fly to New York on Thursday to interview for the offensive coordinator job with the New York Giants. Lemming, however, said Callahan never mentioned a New York trip during their 30-minute phone conversation Wednesday .

Callahan's interview process atNUactually began Wednesday afternoon in Lincoln.

On the same day Gill and Pelini interviewed for the job, Callahan, wearing a black overcoat and carrying a black briefcase, arrived at Lincoln Municipal Airport at about 4:45 p.m.

Pelini, asked Thursday if he'd consider remaining at Nebraska as an assistant, declined comment.

Nebraska secondary coach Marvin Sanders said he had been approached about a coaching position at another school, but was holding off on a decision until the Husker head coaching spot was officially filled.

"I'm trying to delay this thing as long as I can,"Sanders said.

Callahan was the latest in a string of NFL coaches linked to the NU position. Miami Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt, Kansas City Chiefs assistant Al Saunders, Philadelphia Eagles assistant Brad Childress and Dallas Cowboys assistant Mike Zimmer were all in the mix.

In addition, Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt last week decided to remain with the Razorbacks.