Nebraska Football: Huskers Add Former Texas/Texas A&M Defensive Coordinator Gary Darnell To Staff

Per this report by 247Sports’ Michael Bruntz, it appears that Nebraska has hired another person that Bob Diaco has worked with on the defensive side of the ball.

Nebraska has hired Gary Darnell to the staff as a defensive consultant. Darnell, 68 years old, is probably famous enough to Nebraska fans as being a former defensive coordinator for the Texas Longhorns (1994-1996) and Texas A&M Aggies (2006-07), the former Big 12 mates of the Huskers.

Darnell also has DC stops along the way at Kansas State (1978-82), Wake Forest (86-87), Florida (88-89) and Notre Dame (90-91). He was head coach at Western Michigan from 1997-2004. No idea if he had any boats there during his time, as he did win 2 MAC West titles.

The tie-in with Diaco is that Bob was Gary’s linebacker coach in 2004 at Western Michigan. He replaces the spot that Scott Booker had, which Booker moved from due to the stepping down and passing of Bob Elliott.

Darnell was the DC for the Longhorns for the famed 1996 Big XII Title Game, known for “Roll Left” that helped the Texas Longhorns defeat the Huskers in St. Louis, costing Nebraska another possible shot at national title.

Darnell’s Texas A&M Aggie defense lost to Nebraska 28-27 in College Station, with the memorable final drive & Zac Taylor to Maurice Purify jump ball for the win.

Darnell got revenge the next year, still with the Aggies, holding the Huskers scoreless in the second half for a 36-14 win in Lincoln.