Big 10 Countdown 69: Offensive Coordinator Tom Osborne

by Andy Ketterson on Apr 23, 2011 7:00 AM CDT in 2011 Nebraska Huskers Football

Bob Devaney to the Miami Herald in 1995:

"Tom Osborne saved my job. I turned the offense over to Tom and he installed the I-back option attack. After that we won back-to-back championships."

In every dynasty, there is a seminal moment or event that is the launching pad for that team or organization's run of success. Indiana hires Bobby Knight away from Army. Dallas trades Herschel Walker to the Vikings for a pile of draft picks. The Red Wings draft Steve Yzerman. MLB suspends George Steinbrenner from baseball operations for two and a half years. You get the picture.

Devaney's promotion of Osborne to offensive coordinator was such an event as it effectively ended up shaping Nebraska football for the next 29 years. Not only did the hire pay immediate dividends for the team, it also paved the way for Devaney to name him as his successor following the 1972 season.

The effects were immediate:

1967 - NU 6-4 - averages 12.7 points per game - shut out once - no bowl game

1968 - NU 6-4 - averages 15.5 ppg - shut out twice including 47-0 by OU - no bowl game

Osborne become offensive coordinator

1969 - NU 9-2 - averages 23.1 ppg - def. OU 44-14 - def. Georgia 45-6 in Sun Bowl

1970 - NU 11-0-1 - averages 35.5 ppg - Big 8 and National Champs

1971 - 1997 - Laser show.

Any questions?

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What's also kind of interesting

is that when Osborne took over in 1969, the Huskers started to rely more on the passing game. Yep, you read that right.

In the deed, the glory.
Corn Nation!

by Aaron Musfeldt on Apr 23, 2011 7:57 AM CDT reply actions

I can't believe I've never noticed this before

I’ve always blamed Nebraska’s success in the early 70s on the fact that they were one of the first (if not the first) major programs to embrace weight training as a major part of the off season S&C program. Never attributed it to Osborne’s promotion to OC, and I was probably wrong.

I've got the brains. You've got the looks. Let's make lots of money.

by ckmneon on Apr 23, 2011 9:46 AM CDT reply actions

It Was A Combination Of Both

Osborne was considered a “passing guru” in the early 1970’s. He would throw out of the spread formation to compliment his I-formation running game. Many college football pundits considered Osborne’s spread formation passing attack an early version of the run-and-shoot.

Paddle faster, I hear banjos!!

by Section 37 on Apr 23, 2011 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions