Former Nebraska offensive line coach Milt Tenopir has passed away tonight after a long fight with leukemia. He was 76 years old.
The news was initially broken by current Nebraska OL coach Mike Cavanaugh on Twitter.
One of the Greatest of all Time! Great Man, Friend and Mentor! Love you Coach #RIP pic.twitter.com/FUPemJQwww
— Mike Cavanaugh (@CoachCavHuskers) September 27, 2016
The death was confirmed to Brian Christopherson of the Lincoln Journal Star.
Milt Tenopir passed away on Monday night, his brother Jim Tenopir has confirmed to the Journal Star's Ken Hambleton.
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 27, 2016
Milt Tenopir was a staple on the Nebraska coaching staff with Dan Young under Tom Osborne. He started with Nebraska in 1974 and lasted 29 years with the Huskers, stepping down in 2002 with Young. In that time, the man who created the Pipeline gave the Huskers some great memories.
In Tenopir’s 29 years at Nebraska, he coached six Outland Trophy winners and back to back Lombardi Award winners. Three of his Outland Trophy winners was back to back to back with Dave Rimington (a back to back winner) and Dean Steinkuhler.
Overall, Tenopir coached 21 All-Americans and 49 all-conference selections in his career.
Tenopir’s last public appearance was Thursday at the Hawks Championship Center while Nebraska was preparing for the Northwestern game.
Good to have you back out here Coach Tenopir. pic.twitter.com/sVo2VmutJS
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) September 22, 2016
Check out his interview with The Big Red Cobcast right here as well. You can read Jon’s transcript here.
"Look around young man, these people love you for who you are...Come be great at Nebraska."
— Brendan Radley-Hiles (@Bookie_44) September 27, 2016
- Milt Tenopir
Rest In Peace sir. #GoBigRed ⚪️ https://t.co/BWTM7UyG3D
This was just last week. Milt is the epitome of Nebraska football. #Huskers pic.twitter.com/rFCej6VFJR
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 27, 2016
Love you coach. pic.twitter.com/CODGwX42F3
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) September 27, 2016
Mike Riley: "Milt Tenopir has been a great friend from almost the minute we got here. He's been a great link for us, a great connection."
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 22, 2016
Tom Osborne on his time w/ Milt Tenopir: "I don’t think there's been a coach that I know that had more respect from his players than Milt"
— Rich Kaipust (@RKaipustOWH) September 27, 2016