TO: No Football Staffing Changes During Season

Football Legend Back At Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Tom Osborne has been named the interim athletic director for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and he said on Tuesday that he won't make any football staffing changes during the season.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln athletic director Steve Pederson was fired on Monday by UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman.

Osborne met with Perlman on Tuesday morning to discuss the interim post, according to a news release, and Osborne agreed to serve in an open-ended arrangement until Perlman finds a permanent athletic director. Perlman said Osborne will have the full authority of an athletic director for as long as he serves.

Osbone said he intends to work himself out of a job.

"When the chancellor said, 'You've done all you can,' I'll go, but when that'll be who knows," Osborne said.,

He also said he doesn't plan to make any mid-season coaching changes on the football team. He said he'll be talking to people as the season goes along so they aren't in the dark about his expectations, and he said he plans to meet with the football staff within the next week or so.

Speculation immediately turned to football coach Bill Callahan, whose 4-3 season has brought him under fire from Husker Nation fans. Callahan said on Tuesday that he won't step down and he hasn't been asked to step aside.

"I'm confident that (Osborne) can do the things that are necessary to assess the state of things in our athletic program," Perlman said during a news conference on Tuesday afternoon.

Osborne said he learned more personally in losing as a football coach than the years the team was on top. He said he doesn't have all the answers for the football team or the athletic department. Osborne said he watches six college football games a week, and said he understands the trends in the sport but doesn't want to micromanage at Nebraska.

Osborne said he hasn't had a deep relationship with Callahan. He said that when the pair met last week, he found Callahan to be warm. Osborne said he doesn't know much about the rest of the staff at all.

With Osborne's appointment, Callahan will have an icon looking over his shoulder. Osborne won three national championships as head coach at UNL. He retired after winning the championship at the end of the 1997 season after 25 years as head coach.

Osborne said he doesn't want recruiting to suffer as the program struggles. He also said the entire state of Nebraska rallies behind athletics in the state, and he said football drives most of the sports financially.

In a news release, Osborne said he looks forward to the challenge.

"I've spent the majority of my life working with the Athletic Department at the university and I want to do what I can at this point to continue in the pursuit of excellence that has been previously established," he said.

Osborne said he anticipated taking over duties right away.

Speaking from some prepared notes, Osborne said on Tuesday afternoon that he had told people he got out of coaching for illness and fatigue.

"The fans were sick and tired of me running up the middle," Osborne joked.

Osborne said he had employed his predecessor and he spoke will of Pederson. He said the athletic facilities and budget are in good shape as he takes the helm.

Perlman said called Osborne on Sunday and asked the former coach how he could help bring the program back. Osborne said that up until Sunday, he had no idea any changes were even being considered. He said the firing of Steve Pederson came as a surprise to him.

Osborne said he will serve all sports equally.

Perlman said in the release that he is pleased that Osborne agreed to provide leadership and that the university will benefit from Osborne's vast experience.

"Tom is committed to making the entire program successful. He brings the right experience, an understanding of Nebraska, and our aspirations. I look forward to working with him," Perlman said.

Osborne Brings Legacy To Table

Osborne was an assistant coach at Nebraska under Bob Devaney when Nebraska won its two other national championships in 1970 and '71. His record as a head coach was 255-49-3.

The field at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln is named for Osborne, and he is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Osborne served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and had hoped to be Nebraska governor, but lost in the Republican primary last year to Gov. Dave Heineman.

Since then, Osborne has been working with his Teammates program, which offers mentoring, and he lectures at UNL. The university said on Tuesday that he will continue to teach his two fall classes. He is a senior lecturer in the UNL College of Business Administration, teaching leadership and business ethics.

Fans Love News Of New AD

At Big Red Keno on Cass Street, fans said Tuesday's move to hire Osborne was a good move.

"Osborne is very good, and he's got that heart of gold and knows the game," said fan Kathryn Dohring. "I think Osborne is going to do wonderful things for us."

"I think it's an excellent choice," said Rod Hamel. "I think it will bring back the old fan base, the old enthusiasm for the state."

"Osborne is pretty professional," said Scott Lee. "You don't get a doctorate for nothing, you know? He's Dr. Tom, not just an ex-football coach."