STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Monday, January 9, 2006 6:00 pm
Kevin Cosgrove is staying put as Nebraska’s defensive coordinator.
Two people close to the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Cosgrove will return for a third season with the Huskers after strongly considering new Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress’ offer to coach the NFL team’s linebackers.
Cosgrove, 50, was torn between remaining at Nebraska and making his first career foray into the NFL, said the two sources — one a current Husker assistant coach and the other a person with close ties to the program.
Reached at his Lincoln home Monday night, Cosgrove declined to discuss specifics about his decision, but acknowledged that it’s been a difficult few days of soul-searching. He said he planned to take today off from work before meeting with reporters in Lincoln perhaps either Wednesday or Thursday.
Childress and Cosgrove worked together as assistants on staffs at Illinois in the early 1980s and Wisconsin throughout the 1990s, with Childress coaching offense and Cosgrove defense. The 49-year-old Childress, who had been the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive coordinator since 2002, was named Vikings’ head coach Friday.
Childress apparently extended his offer to Cosgrove shortly after taking his new position.
Cosgrove has an annual salary of $206,000 at Nebraska, but the offer from Minnesota was believed to be in the $300,000 to $400,000 range.
A native of Chicago, Cosgrove received a large share of the blame in 2004 as Nebraska finished with a 5-6 record. However, the Huskers made marked improvement this season, particularly on defense, rising 30 spots to No. 26 nationally in total defense (332.17 yards per game).
In finishing with an 8-4 record, Nebraska made a 46-place jump to No. 25 nationally in scoring defense (21.0). The Huskers led the nation with 50 sacks and 124 tackles for loss.
Nebraska did, however, drop 15 spots in rush defense compared with last year, from No. 11 to No. 26.
The Huskers will have no fewer than seven returning starters defensively in 2006, including five linebackers who started at least one game — Corey McKeon, Stewart Bradley, Bo Ruud, Steve Octavien and Lance Brandenburgh. Cosgrove is in charge of the linebackers.
Had Cosgrove accepted the Minnesota offer, Nebraska would have been faced with having four defensive coordinators in a five-year span. Craig Bohl worked three years as the Huskers’ coordinator before being fired after NU finished with a 7-7 record in 2002. Bohl was succeeded by Bo Pelini, who helped lead a defensive resurgence as the Huskers improved to 10-3 in 2003.
Meanwhile, Childress on Monday night continued the process of formulating the Vikings’ new staff, meeting with 33-year-old Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin about becoming the defensive coordinator, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Childress reportedly was one of the candidates NU athletic director Steve Pederson considered as a replacement for Frank Solich after the 2003 season.
Briefly
Shawn Watson said Monday night he needs a little more time before deciding whether to take over as Nebraska’s tight ends coach or go elsewhere. The former Colorado offensive coordinator has also been offered offensive coordinator jobs at California and San Diego State.
“I’m close,” Watson told the Rocky Mountain News. “I want to give myself time to sleep on it.”
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.