Barney Cotton: Duties Change to Run Game Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach

For the first time since Bo Pelini took over as Nebraska's head coach in 2008, Barney Cotton will not be participating as an offensive line coach. In an official capacity, that is.

The associate head coach/offensive line coach's responsibilities now include assisting offensive coordinator Tim Beck with the running game and mentoring tight ends. The tight ends coaching spot had largely been a project of now-Kentucky Wildcats' tight ends coach Vince Marrow.

Another graduate assistant, Kyle Brey, will be taking Marrow's place assisting with tight end development. Brey spent time as at the University of Buffalo as both a fullback and tight end as a four-time letterman.

With Marrow gone and Cotton in his place, it's possible that Pelini may be looking to implement a full-time quarterbacks coach.

John Garrison has been assisting Cotton with offensive line duties. However with the former offensive guard's duties now spread rather thin, it's likely that Garrison will get far more one-on-one time with the linemen than he did previously.

In regards to the position switch being a demotion for Cotton, Pelini simply said, "That's ludicrous."

What are your thoughts on Cotton's new duties?

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