Omaha, Neb. ? New Nebraska football coach Bill Callahan fired seven assistant coaches from the previous regime Monday.

Offensive coordinator Barney Cotton described the atmosphere as “cordial and professional” as former Oakland Raiders coach Callahan addressed all of Frank Solich’s assistants as a group. Then Callahan met individually with each. Within a short time, Callahan had fired seven.

Longtime assistant Turner Gill, a former NU quarterback, was asked to stay on as receivers coach. Recruiting coordinator Scott Downing was asked to stay on at least through letter-of-intent signing day Feb. 4.

Cotton was among five first-year NU assistants let go. The others were defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders, linebackers coach Jimmy Williams and running backs coach Tim Albin.

Ron Brown, the receivers coach for 17 years, and Jeff Jamrog, the defensive line coach for four years, also were released. Cotton, Jamrog, Sanders and Williams played at Nebraska.

Pelini said Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops had talked to him about a possible job on the Sooners’ staff.

Sanders said he had a standing offer to become North Carolina’s defensive coordinator.