Callahan gets Nebraska job

LINCOLN, Neb., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Bill Callahan, fired as coach of the Oakland Raiders on New Year's Eve, has been hired as football coach at the University of Nebraska.

Terms of his contract were not disclosed. The hiring concludes a prolonged search conducted by Athletic Director Steve Pederson, who was turned down by several candidates after firing Frank Solich on Nov. 29.

Assistants Bo Pelini and Turner Gill also interviewed, and Nebraska was rebuffed by Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt and Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

"Coach Callahan is a rare find," Pederson said. "As a Super Bowl coach, a top-level recruiter, and an experienced coach on the college level, he has all the success to continue the consistent

success that typifies Nebraska."

Callahan, 47, was fired by the Raiders after a disastrous 4-12 season. A year ago, however, he guided Oakland to its first Super Bowl appearance in 19 years.

Nebraska played for the national title following the 2001 season, but stumbled to 7-7 in 2002. Solich was fired despite a 9-3 record.