Red Report: Callahan stands by assistants
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The many questions swirling around the state of the program are not yet keeping Husker coach Bill Callahan from standing by his assistant coaches.
At the weekly press conference, he was asked at what point he evaluates his assistants, and perhaps makes changes to the coaching staff.
“You know, I wouldn’t say that. That’s an unfair question in terms of changes at this juncture,” Callahan said. “We’re in the midst of a season. They’ve got my full support, and you need to understand this: All of a sudden, when you’re having struggles, you don’t start firing people left and right.
“You know, these guys are pros, they’re professionals. They’ve had tremendous success in their careers. And there are going to be times in each and every one’s career where you don’t have the success you’re going to want to have. You got to continually fight through it.
“I got a lot of faith and confidence in our staff. They’ve got my full support. I believe in them. I trust in them, and they’re good coaches. They’re darn good coaches. They’re coaches other people would like to have, I can promise you that.”
Callahan was asked about the chemistry of the staff.
He called it “a tight-knit group.”
“We’ve always communicated well,” he said. “We’re honest. We’re open with each other. We work well together. … This staff takes a lot of pride in what they do and believe me, they’re hurt, they’re disappointed by what we put on the field. And it’s our responsibility to get it corrected.”
DEPTH CHART CHANGES: There were some changes on the depth chart this week, which was released Tuesday after Callahan spoke to the media.
Phillip Dillard is the starting MIKE linebacker, ahead of Corey McKeon. Dillard started Saturday at Missouri.
Cortney Grixby has moved ahead of Zack Bowman at weakside cornerback.
Lance Brandenburgh is the starting WILL linebacker, ahead of Steve Octavien.
Mike Huff is the starting right guard. Matt Slauson has moved to second-string right tackle, behind Lydon Murtha.
Sean Hill is the No. 1 H-back, ahead of J.B. Phillips.
BY THE NUMBERS -- 7: Games Oklahoma State has had decided in the final two minutes since the beginning of last season. The Cowboys’ record in those games is 2-5.
SCOUTING REPORT -- OL D.J. Jones: Among the depth chart news was the emergence of D.J. Jones at No. 2 right guard, behind Mike Huff.
Jones, a redshirted freshman, had practiced primarily at tackle.
“We’ve got him up and running as a tackle, and we wanted to cross-train him and see how he responded inside,” Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said. “With a young player, especially a freshman who’s redshirted, you want to see what his best suit is.”
Watson said coaches began cross-training Jones in fall camp.
Opponent watch -- Missouri: Missouri offensive coordinator Dave Christensen on Monday told the Columbia Tribune he was surprised Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove played the entire game with a three-man defensive front.
Quarterback Chase Daniel, who threw for 401 yards, wasn’t sacked in 47 passing attempts.
“Obviously, it didn’t work very well,” Christensen said. “I don’t foresee Oklahoma doing that or at least making a living doing that."
Daniel was more outspoken.
“They’re very stubborn,” Daniel told the Tribune. “Cosgrove’s a very stubborn guy. It’s always been that way. … That’s just how he is, that’s how they are. They’re a bunch of confident guys in what they do, and they felt they had the best chance doing that, so they stuck with it.
“You can’t just play one defense the whole entire game. That’s like high school stuff that I faced in high school, so it’s nothing new for me.”
Cosgrove said Tuesday he wouldn’t comment on Daniel’s thoughts.
Does Cosgrove wish he would have shown Missouri's offense some more defensive looks?
“You know what, I’m going to say just one thing: With what they do, the way they spread the field, there’s only so much you can do,” Cosgrove said. “If you try to get into a blitz game with them, they’ll tear you apart, because they spread you out. They go sideline to sideline and goal line to goal line, and you have to be smart in how you defend."
— Brian Rosenthal and Brian Christopherson
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