[Haystack]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Tom Osborne is back as Nebraska's football coach -- just for now.

Osborne, already the interim athletic director, has declared himself interim head coach until he hires a successor to Bill Callahan.

The interim coach designation lets Osborne visit prospective recruits away from campus, athletic department communications chief Randy York said Thursday.

The 70-year-old Osborne passed the NCAA certification test on his first try Wednesday, York said. Osborne went on the road to recruit Thursday and Friday, and the school sent a letter notifying the Big 12 of Osborne's new title, York said.

Once a hire is made, Osborne could continue to recruit until the new coach assembles a full staff of nine assistants, York said.

As the Cornhuskers' head coach from 1973 to 1997, Osborne won 255 games and three national championships.

Gary Bargen, assistant athletic director in charge of compliance, said Osborne's interim head coach designation shouldn't be considered an indication that Osborne is thinking about a return to the sideline.

Osborne was not available to comment Thursday. Asked last month whether he would consider coaching again, he said that his wife, Nancy, would "shoot me" if he did.

Bargen said Osborne wants Nebraska to continue recruiting while the coaching search continues.

As solely the athletic director, Bargen said, Osborne would not have been allowed to correspond with prospective recruits other than those who visit campus. Football is in a recruiting contact period until Dec. 15.

Osborne said in a radio interview with the Husker Sports Network on Wednesday that he hoped to have a new coach selected by next week. He already interviewed Buffalo coach Turner Gill and LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini and spoke informally with Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe, according to media reports.

Another coach linked to the search, Cincinnati's Brian Kelly, told local radio station WCKY on Wednesday that he had not been contacted by Nebraska.

Two assistants from Callahan's staff, defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove and cornerbacks coach Phil Elmassian, are no longer recruiting for Nebraska, York said.

Hey, he maybe the best Interim Head Coach of All Time

[Haystack]

If Osborne Can't recruits there i am not sure anyone can. I doubt he will have THAT hard of a time getting some kids to play there though. The history alone might sell itself. Once those kids see those three rings they might be listening pretty closely.

Osborne may arguably one of the top five college head coaches of all time.

[M-247gunner]

Originally Posted by Haystack

If Osborne Can't recruits there i am not sure anyone can. I doubt he will have THAT hard of a time getting some kids to play there though. The history alone might sell itself. Once those kids see those three rings they might be listening pretty closely.

Osborne may arguably one of the top five college head coaches of all time.

Aguably? http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/speci...owl/2007/index

[gruntbygod]

It wouldnt surprise me to see him stick around after the recruiting season. It is a hell of alot easier for Tom Osborn to sell Tom Osborn, than for Tom Osborn to sell ???

[M-247gunner]

Originally Posted by gruntbygod

It wouldnt surprise me to see him stick around after the recruiting season. It is a hell of alot easier for Tom Osborn to sell Tom Osborn, than for Tom Osborn to sell ???

Apparently the HC anouncement will be made on monday or tuesday at the lastest.

[gruntbygod]

The why hire Osborn as the interm?

Unless I missed something in the article

[gruntbygod]

Never mind, thought he was talking about next years recruits, not this years