Jeff Jamrog is putting away the head coach’s whistle to come back home.

Speculation gave way to the official news Wednesday that Jamrog is leaving his job as Minnesota State-Mankato football coach to fill an administrative role within the Husker athletic department.

“Jeff is an alumnus, former player and coach at the University of Nebraska, and I certainly understand the unique affinity that he had for Cornhusker football and we wish him well as he continues his career there,” Minnesota State athletic director Kevin Buisman said.

NU is currently without an assistant athletic director for football, a position that Tim Cassidy announced he was leaving on Nov. 30. Cassidy took a similar job at Texas A&M.

The 42-year-old Jamrog certainly won’t need an introductory tour around the city when he arrives. He was a three-year letterwinner as a defensive end at Nebraska (1985-87) and served as an assistant coach for the Huskers under Frank Solich from 2000-03.

He coached alongside new Husker head coach Bo Pelini and several of the assistants in 2003.

Jamrog went 17-27 in four seasons at Minnesota State, an NCAA  Division II school. In his first year there, he led the program to its first winning season in 10 years.

He first met with the Minnesota State team Monday night to tell them he had an interest in the Nebraska job, and that he could potentially be leaving.

So it was no shock to Buisman on Wednesday when the news came.

“He has provided a positive impact on MSU football the past four years,” Buisman said, “and we are very fortunate for all the great work he has done in moving the program forward.”

Reach Brian Christopherson at 473-7439 or bchristopherson@journalstar.com.