Bill Callahan Fired As Husker Head Coach

Nebraska football coach Bill Callahan has been fired, a day after the team finished one of the most dismal seasons in the school's storied history.

Interim Athletic Director and legendary Nebraska coach Tom Osborne announced the decision following a 65-51 loss to Colorado that left the Cornhuskers with a 5-and-7 record.

It was only the second losing season at Nebraska since 1962.

Nebraska's defense was porous, allowing 40 or more points in six games, including 34 consecutive points in the loss to Colorado.

Among those mentioned as possible replacements for Callahan was LSU Defensive Coordinator Bo Pelini and University at Buffalo coach Turner Gill.

The University of Nebraska will have to pay more than $3.1 million dollars to buy out Callahan's contract, which was to run through the 2011 season.

Callahan's signed a contract extension in September before a series of the most lopsided losses in decades and the firing of Athletic Director Steve Pederson, who hired Callahan.

Osborne says all nine of the assistant coaches will be paid through January 2009 according to the terms of their contracts.

The assistants will be able to apply for jobs with the next coaching staff.