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Bill Callahan (born July 31 , 1956 , Chicago, Illinois , USA ) is the head coach of the University Of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team. He was named head coach of the Cornhuskers in 2004 . Callahan was formerly the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League . EARLY CAREER From 1990 - 1994 , Callahan was offensive line coach at the University Of Wisconsin . He has been praised repeatedly, especially for his recruiting abilities, by former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez as being one of the primary reasons why the Badgers were able to turn their program around and eventually win three Rose Bowls in the 1990s. Callahan previously served a two-year stint, 1987 - 1988 , as offensive line coach at Northern Arizona University . The Chicago native began his college coaching career in 1980 as a graduate assistant at University Of Illinois before being promoted to full time assistant in 1981 , coaching tight ends, offensive line, quarterbacks and special teams through 1986. Callahan was a three-year starter at quarterback at Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle, Illinois , where he was an National Association Of Intercollegiate Athletics honorable mention All-American in his final two seasons. The Callahan family includes wife Valerie and their four children — Brian, Daniel, Cathryn and Jaclyn. PROFESSIONAL COACHING CAREER During the 2002 and 2003 seasons, was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders of the NFL . Callahan had spent four seasons as the Raiders offensive coordinator before being named the franchise's 13th head coach prior to the 2002 season. Callahan led the Raiders to the 2002 AFC Championship Game and a berth in Super Bowl XXXVII in his first season as a head coach, making him just the fourth rookie head coach in NFL history to do so finishing '''13-6'''. Callahan is the third Raiders head coach to win an AFC West title and into the conference championship game in his first full season. Only Art Shell , 1990 and John Madden , 1969 have accomplished this feat. Under Callahan's guidance, the Raiders led the NFL in passing for the first time in team history and led the league in total offense for just the second time in team history. During his tenure as not only head coach but also offensive coordinator for the Raiders, Callahan earned a reputation as one of the finest offensive minds in the NFL. Under his leadership, the Raider offense led the league in rushing in 2000 and led the league in passing in 2002. In 2002, the Raiders became the first team to win games in the same season while rushing at least 60 times (against Kansas City in a 24-0 win) and passing at least 60 times (against Pittsburgh in a 30-17 win). The Raider offense also set many franchise records during this period, including fewest sacks allowed (28) in 2000, a mark that was broken the following year (27). Despite the success of his 2002 team, the 2003 Raiders had a losing record. After his team got off to a 2-5 start, many of his players, in particular Charles Woodson, publicly demonized the coach, even suggesting that Callahan was deliberately trying to sabatoge the season. Apparently, his accusations of strife and mutiny within the clubhouse were corroborated by others, including veteran receiver Tim Brown. Callahan defenders have described such players as being selfish, washed-up prima donnas. Callahan, his supporters claim, had recognized that the team was aging and needed younger talent. To get it, he would have to cut existing salaries, an allegation that did not sit well with many of the team's veterans. After a lackluster 4-12 season, Callahan was relieved of his coaching duties at Oakland with a record of 17-18 in two years. Prior to joining the Raiders, Callahan coached the offensive line for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1995 - 1997 . NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS In his first season at Nebraska, Callahan finished 5-6, giving the Huskers their first losing season since 1961 . This has earned him much criticism by Husker fans around the nation. However, Callahan supporters blame the dismal 2004 season on their perception of lackluster recruiting by former coach Frank Solich and believed Callahan would eventually turn the program around. He also introduced the West Coast Offense to a program that has traditionally relied on a strong running attack. The Cornhuskers finished 8-4 during his second season and won the 2005 Alamo Bowl by upseting No. 20 Michigan , 32-28. The Wolverines were the highest-ranked opponent that Nebraska has beaten since a 20-10 win over No. 2 Oklahoma in October 2001. The Wolverines also were the highest-ranked opponent beaten by Nebraska outside the Cornhuskers' home field in Lincoln since a 66-17 win over Northwestern in the 2000 Alamo Bowl. Currently Callahan has a record of 13-10 at Nebraska. Cornhusker Coaching Staff under Callahan Former Nebraska assistants under Callahan.
Gill, Downing and McLaughlin were retained by Bill Callahan from the staff of former Head Coach Frank Solich. Gill had previously been Assistant Head Coach and Quarterbacks Coach but coached receivers under Callahan. Downing and McLaughlin kept their previous duties on the staff. EXTERNAL LINKS
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