Vili Waldrop joins Lincoln Capitols

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BYSTEVEN M. SIPPLE

Former Nebraska offensive lineman Dan Vili Waldrop joined the Lincoln Capitols this week just in time for the firing of head coach Jose Jefferson.

"That's OK," Waldrop said Wednesday. "I've been through so many coaching changes, I don't even care anymore."

As a three-year Nebraska starter, Waldrop watched former Husker head coach Frank Solich overhaul his staff following a 7-7 season in 2002. In 2003, Waldrop started every game as NU finished 10-3. Nonetheless, Solich was fired at the end of the regular season.

As a rookie with the Capitols, Waldrop isn't necessarily in need of coaching stability.

"I need money, and I need to get into football shape because Ihave a tryout with the Buffalo Bills on June 7," said Waldrop, who wasn't selected in last month's NFL Draft.

Waldrop practiced with the 3-4 Capitols for the first time Wednesday as they prepared for Saturday's National Indoor Football League contest against the 5-2 Sioux Falls (S.D.) Storm.

The Storm defeated the Capitols 34-28 on April 16 in Lincoln.

Capitols interim head coach Pat Schaben is preparing the team for the rematch. Schaben succeeds Jefferson, fired Tuesday afternoon less than a week after publicly criticizing the way team management treats its players.

Schaben had been playing offensive guard for Lincoln until injuring his knee and shoulder May 1 against the Oklahoma Crude. With Schaben injured, Capitols guard Chris Loos, also an ex-Husker, decided to phone Waldrop about the possibility of joining the team.

Loos has played in Lincoln's last three games after joining the team April 23.

"One of the things that stands out is the level of competition,"Loos said. "Every game, I've gone against great guys. It's been a lot of fun."

The 6-foot-3, 290-pound Loos would have been a sixth-year senior at Nebraska this fall. The Lincoln Southeast graduate decided after spring practice to end his college career after new NUcoach Bill Callahan informed him a scholarship wouldn't be available.

Now, Loos is just happy to be playing the game he loves, even if he makes only $200 per game.

The relatively low pay is OK with Waldrop, a 6-5, 350-pound native of Compton, Calif.

"That'll pay the rent, since I don't have a scholarship check coming anymore," Waldrop said.

Waldrop said he wants "very badly" to play in the NFL.

"I want to go have some fun," he said. "I graduated, and I don't have a job - besides playing for the Capitols."

Loos said the Capitols are on solid ground despite Jefferson's dismissal as head coach. Team owner Bruce Bailey said Tuesday that he fired Jefferson because the franchise needed a change as it tries to make a late push to make the NIFL playoffs. Seven regular-season games remain.

"I felt like Jose was a solid coach,"Loos said. "I wish we had him for the rest of the season. But I'm sure Pat will be able to take care of things. We're not going to falter. Ifeel like the teams ahead of us on the schedule should be afraid."

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@;journalstar.com.