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Posted at 7:46 a.m., Tuesday, September 4, 2007

CFB: Nebraska coach Callahan gets new 5-year contract

By ERIC OLSON
AP Sports Writer

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska coach Bill Callahan has been given a new, five-year contract for $1.75 million a year.

It will run through Jan. 31, 2012. Callahan's old contract was to run through 2008.

Callahan is 23-15 in four seasons with the Cornhuskers, winning the Big 12 North championship last year.

The 51-year-old Callahan signed a six-year contract paying him $1.5 million a season when he was hired in January 2004.

Under the new contract, Callahan can earn $425,000 in bonuses annually for winning division, conference and national championships, athletic director Steve Pederson said Tuesday.

"I have said on numerous occasions that we want coach Callahan to be the coach at Nebraska for a long time," Pederson said. "This commitment to Bill and his staff is a result of our belief that all the right ingredients are in place for long-term success. Bill has assembled a top-notch staff, and they are recruiting outstanding young men. He also has set a very high standard for discipline, integrity and work ethic that makes us proud as Nebraskans."

Terms were reached last week and Callahan signed the contract Tuesday.

Callahan thanked Pederson and school chancellor Harvey Perlman for the new deal.

"It reflects greatly on our football staff," Pederson said. "I wanted to be here, and I am committed to being at Nebraska."

Callahan coached the Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl after the 2002 season. He was fired by the Raiders in 2003 and was hired by Pederson to replace Frank Solich.

The Huskers are 1-0 this year after beating Nevada 52-10 on Saturday.