Hall of Fame coach Tom Osborne returned to Nebraska on Tuesday as interim athletic director, a day after the firing of Steve Pederson.
Osborne, 70, will determine whether Bill Callahan stays or goes as Nebraska coach, but he won’t make the decision until after the season.
“I don’t want to be someone who micromanages, watches over people’s shoulders,” Osborne said. “If they want me to come to practice or go to meetings, I’ll go. If they want to stay away, I’ll stay away.”
It was 10 years ago that Osborne finished a celebrated 25- year coaching career that culminated with three national championships in his last four seasons. But the program has fallen on relatively hard times, having lost no fewer than four games a year in four seasons under Callahan. The Huskers have lost their past two games by a combined score of 86-20, and their defense is one of the worst in the country.
“It’s worth pointing out that we’re 4-3. We’ve won more than we’ve lost,” Osborne said.
Osborne agreed to serve until the chancellor hires a permanent athletic director. Osborne’s pay will be based on a $250,000 annual salary.
“He’ll be the lowest-paid athletic director in the Big 12,” chancellor Harvey Perlman quipped.
Meanwhile, the Cornhuskers shed their black practice jerseys traditionally worn by the defensive starters.
“We’re going to earn those things back,” defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said. “That’s all I have to say.”
Irish turn to new QB. Evan Sharpley will start at quarterback for Notre Dame against No. 13 Southern California, making the junior the third starting signal-caller for the Fighting Irish this season.
Sharpley has led the Fighting Irish to four of their seven offensive touchdowns, despite playing significantly less time than Jimmy Clausen.
Zook awaits extension. Illinois coach Ron Zook is expected to receive a three-year contract extension today in a deal that runs through January 2013 and increases his pay from $1.055 million to $1.305 million next season.
Ball State put on probation. The NCAA put Ball State on probation for two years and cut three football scholarships because of misuse by athletes of a textbook loan program.
The penalties announced by the Division I Committee on Infractions also included a reduction of money available for men’s tennis scholarships and a restriction on the number of hours per week allowed for softball practice.
The infractions involved 89 athletes in 10 sports.
Coach cited for urinating on bar WACO, TEXAS — An assistant coach at Baylor was suspended indefinitely after he was cited for urinating on the bar at a tavern.
Eric Schnupp, Baylor’s offensive line-tight ends coach, was not arrested but issued a citation early Sunday for disorderly conduct-reckless exposure at Scruffy Murphy’s, police said.
