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David Sandhop of Aggie Websider is reporting that Nebraska defensive backs coach Terry Joseph is headed to Texas A&M in the same role.
Don't be surprised if A&M announces the hiring of NU DB coach Terry Joseph in the same capacity...that's what sources are telling me.
— David Sandhop (@HopWebsider) January 4, 2014
AggieYell.com says something similar, though it's not a done deal yet.
AY has learned Nebraska DB coach Terry Joseph has not taken the same job at #tamu yet. Strong likelihood that he will, however. (Name helps)
— Mark Passwaters (@themarkup) January 4, 2014
If true, that would be a major loss to the Nebraska football coaching staff. The Husker secondary has improved quite a bit under his tutelage, and Joseph has been a major contributor to recruiting, bringing plenty of #BOOM on the recruiting trail. When Nebraska gets a new commit, Joseph typically joins defensive coordinator John Papuchis and receivers coach Rich Fisher on Twitter with hashtag #BOOM to signal another commitment.
Why would Joseph leave Nebraska? It could be money. Last January, he received a much deserved raise to $245,000 a year, though he probably deserves more. It could be responsibility; Joseph was recruiting coordinator during previous stops at Louisiana Tech and Tennessee. But I really suspect it's stability, with the uncertainly over Bo Pelini's future opening the eyes of assistants to safer situations. Shawn Eichorst's statement of support for Pelini might have been viewed as coming a little too late for comfort. And the stability angle would also explain why Joseph left Derek Dooley's staff at Tennessee in 2012 for Lincoln.
Note that these reports are all still rumors at this time. Perhaps Pelini is considering a counter-offer and potentially a staff adjustment to keep Joseph in Lincoln. If not, Nebraska will have at least one staff opening to fill, and hopefully before the recruiting dead period ends on January 16th.
[Update: 7:00 PM]
Terry Joseph said he is on his way back from College Station after being offered DBs job at A&M. Plans to talk with Bo tomorrow. #Huskers
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) January 5, 2014
"I got to talk with Bo, hopefully Shawn, and hopefully make a decision sometime tomorrow night. That's where it's at," Joseph said. #Huskers
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) January 5, 2014
"It's not a done deal. They offered me the job. It's a lot of money but I told Bo I would come back & talk to him before I took the job" -TJ
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) January 5, 2014