The Husker football team met today with Athletic Director Tom Osborne,
discussing a variety of things, including weightlifting which starts next
week.
But the interest from the outside was pertaining to whether or not other
issues were discussed such as who Nebraska ’s future coach might be. Not many
players would talk to the media after the meeting, but of those who did, today’s
meeting was basically business as usual. “He just talked to the team about the
schedule (and) what it was going to be like,” junior running back Marlon Lucky
said. Sophomore defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh concurred, stating: “Basically,
we are talking about what’s upcoming. We have lifting next Monday and that’s
about it,”
While there wasn’t any indication about coaches, the search for coaches or
about any potential resolution regarding the hottest topic around Husker Nation
today, Suh said that it will be nice when this situation is part of the past. “I
think it’s important to have a coach come in pretty soon,” he said. “But I hope
he takes the time to get a quality person and obviously (Osborne) has integrity
and what he tells us is what is going to happen.”
Suh will be going into his junior year at Nebraska , but he’s been part of
the program for three years, an injury setting him back for a season. So, he’s
technically not a newcomer anymore. With that being said, he can see that for
those younger players on the team, they probably want a resolution to this as
much as anyone. “I am sure it’s tough for them. I am kind of in the same
position. I have two years left,” he said. But basically, you have to have faith
in your own skills. You’ve got to expect, hopefully that whoever’s coming in
will give you a fair chance to prove to them that you can play on the field, and
be on the field and help this team out.”
Suh’s sentiments are probably
felt by many, but as for Lucky, he’s happy he’s got other things on his mind.
“It ain’t hard for me. I’m still just going to school,” he said.
Amidst the chaotic nature that is a search for a head coach at a program the
likes of Nebraska , Lucky has been able to enjoy getting another distraction.
The junior running back was recently named second-team All-Big 12. Lucky
finished the season ranked 7th in the conference in rushing,
averaging just over 70 yards per game, but the Texas native ranked tops amongst
all running backs in receptions per game (6.38) as well as receiving yards per
game (64.5). His 137.0 all-purpose yards per game was good enough to rank ninth
out of every football player in the conference.
The soft-spoken Lucky was gratified for the recognition. “It’s an honor. It’s
a big honor. I am happy for it,” he said.
The coaching search goes on, Tom Osborne saying as he was walking out after
the team meeting, that no coach has been officially offered the job. His primary
concern at this point, however, was getting out on the road and doing some
recruiting.
The first thing he’ll have to do, however, is pass a standard test required
by the NCAA, simply to certify that the applicant is aware of all the rules and
regulations in regard to recruiting for their level of play.
Osborne said that he hasn’t passed that test as of yet, but obviously hopes
to and hit the road soon.
The absence of a Head Coach allows Osborne to take part in recruiting. The
NCAA has a limitation on the total number of coaches allowed to go on the road
recruiting (seven), and with the head coaching position vacant, Osborne is free
to assume that role until a new coach is put into place.
As for the coaching search, while Osborne said no decision has been made, he
hoped for a resolution to that “sooner rather than later” and said that when
they know something definite, everyone else will know not long after. “There
won’t be any secrets,” he said.