
Stature and coaches, 1936–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
Run↔pass identity, by season
Every coach
Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.
9th-best Nebraska tenure of 11 by the numbers.
Followed Mickey Joseph (2022).
| Season | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 5-7 | 7-6 | 7-6 | 5-3 | |
| Postseason | — | W bowl | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #25 | #18 | #22 | #88 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | 35.3 | 49.4 | 45.9 | 48.3 | |
| Coordinators | |||||
| OC | Marcus Satterfield | Marcus Satterfield / Glenn Thomas | Dana Holgorsen / Glenn Thomas | Dana Holgorsen / Glenn Thomas | |
| DC | Tony White | Tony White | John Butler | Rob Aurich | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | 26 | 46 | 40 | 60 | |
| Defense | 81 | 67 | 6 | 76 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | 28.5 | 45.2 | 41.0 | 44.7 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 27.3 | 42.9 | 46.7 | 41.7 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 28.6 | 35.1 | 32.4 | 47.1 | |
Underperforms his recruiting talent on offense and performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on defense.
A typical amount of portal roster-building.
Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.
Recruits younger transfers than most — more of a development bet.
3 NFL Draft picks: Ty Robinson (2025), Thomas Fidone II (2025), Emmett Johnson (2026)
1 player-season honored (All-America / national award): Emmett Johnson (2025)
8th-best Nebraska tenure of 11 by the numbers.
Followed Mike Riley (2015–2017) · succeeded by Mickey Joseph (2022).
| Season | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||
| Record | 4-8 | 5-7 | 3-5 | 3-9 | 1-2 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #23 | #18 | #20 | #20 | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||
| Pass rate | 46.5 | 37.3 | 40.6 | 41.1 | — | |
| Coordinators | ||||||
| OC | Troy Walters | Troy Walters | Matt Lubick | Matt Lubick | — | |
| DC | Erik Chinander | Erik Chinander | Erik Chinander | Erik Chinander | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||
| Offense | 77 | 33 | 59 | 63 | — | |
| Defense | 43 | 65 | 52 | 59 | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 46.4 | 37.2 | 34.5 | 40.7 | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | 38.8 | 22.5 | 29.7 | 21.4 | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 52.9 | 31.8 | 32.3 | 39.5 | — | |
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
Barely touches the portal — recruits and develops his own.
Typical size for position, once adjusted for position mix.
Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.
7 NFL Draft picks: Khalil Davis (2020), Carlos Davis (2020), Brenden Jaimes (2021), Matt Farniok (2021), Cameron Jurgens (2022), Cam Taylor-Britt (2022), Samori Toure (2022)
7th-best Nebraska tenure of 11 by the numbers.
Followed Bo Pelini (2008–2014) · succeeded by Scott Frost (2018–2022).
| Season | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||
| Record | 6-7 | 9-4 | 4-8 | |
| Postseason | W bowl | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #30 | #26 | #23 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||
| Pass rate | 48.0 | 43.3 | 55.5 | |
| Coordinators | ||||
| OC | Danny Langsdorf | Danny Langsdorf | Danny Langsdorf | |
| DC | Mark Banker | Mark Banker | Bob Diaco | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||
| Offense | 68 | 20 | 37 | |
| Defense | 40 | 49 | 4 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||
| 1st-down pass% | 35.5 | 24.9 | 42.8 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 42.7 | 32.7 | 51.0 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 17.9 | 27.3 | 38.5 | |
Underperforms his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
6 NFL Draft picks: Maliek Collins (2016), Vincent Valentine (2016), Alex Lewis (2016), Andy Janovich (2016), Nathan Gerry (2017), Tanner Lee (2018)
5th-best Nebraska tenure of 11 by the numbers.
Followed Bill Callahan (2004–2007) · succeeded by Mike Riley (2015–2017).
| Season | 2003 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||||
| Record | 1-0 | 9-4 | 10-4 | 10-4 | 9-4 | 10-4 | 9-4 | 9-3 | |
| Postseason | W bowl | W bowl | W bowl | L bowl | L bowl | L bowl | W bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | #24 | #40 | #26 | #16 | #32 | #22 | #35 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||||
| Pass rate | — | 47.1 | 41.6 | 30.8 | 32.4 | 36.3 | 39.3 | 37.9 | |
| Coordinators | |||||||||
| OC | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Tim Beck | |
| DC | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | John Papuchis | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||||
| Offense | — | 81 | 16 | 54 | 41 | 88 | 40 | 46 | |
| Defense | — | 82 | 95 | 98 | 38 | 83 | 89 | 50 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | 42.2 | 30.8 | 21.5 | 28.0 | 33.3 | 30.5 | 33.0 | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | 37.8 | 33.0 | 25.6 | 23.8 | 36.2 | 32.6 | 32.8 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | 30.0 | 4.8 | 18.9 | 30.3 | 11.4 | 20.0 | 20.9 | |
25 NFL Draft picks: Cody Glenn (2009), Matt Slauson (2009), Lydon Murtha (2009), Ndamukong Suh (2010), Phillip Dillard (2010), Larry Asante (2010), Prince Amukamara (2011), Roy Helu (2011) + 17 more
4th-best Nebraska tenure of 11 by the numbers.
Followed Frank Solich (1998–2003) · succeeded by Bo Pelini (2008–2014).
| Season | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 5-6 | 8-4 | 9-5 | 5-7 | |
| Postseason | — | W bowl | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #27 | #8 | #21 | #19 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | 43.9 | 51.4 | 42.6 | 53.6 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | 38 | 5 | 71 | 89 | |
| Defense | 30 | 69 | 56 | 7 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | 39.2 | 46.3 | 41.4 | 47.6 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 54.3 | 45.6 | 42.3 | 41.2 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 60.0 | 31.1 | 46.2 | 44.8 | |
15 NFL Draft picks: Fabian Washington (2005), Barrett Ruud (2005), Josh Bullocks (2005), Richie Incognito (2005), Daniel Bullocks (2006), Sam Koch (2006), Le Kevin Smith (2006), Titus Adams (2006) + 7 more
2nd-best Nebraska tenure of 11 by the numbers.
Followed Tom Osborne (1973–1997) · succeeded by Bill Callahan (2004–2007).
| Season | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||
| Record | 9-4 | 12-1 | 10-2 | 11-2 | 7-7 | 9-3 | |
| Postseason | L bowl | W bowl | W bowl | L bowl | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
30 NFL Draft picks: Mike Rucker (1999), Joel Makovicka (1999), Jason Wiltz (1999), Jay Foreman (1999), Chad Kelsay (1999), Kris Brown (1999), Sheldon Jackson (1999), Mike Brown (2000) + 22 more
1st-best Nebraska tenure of 11 by the numbers.
Followed Bob Devaney (1962–1972) · succeeded by Frank Solich (1998–2003).
| Season | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Record | 9-2-1 | 9-3 | 10-2 | 9-3-1 | 9-3 | 9-3 | 10-2 | 10-2 | 9-3 | 12-1 | 12-1 | 10-2 | 9-3 | 10-2 | 10-2 | 11-2 | 10-2 | 9-3 | 9-2-1 | 9-3 | 11-1 | 13-0 | 12-0 | 11-2 | 13-0 | |
| Postseason | W bowl | W bowl | L bowl | W bowl | W bowl | L bowl | L bowl | W bowl | L bowl | W bowl | L bowl | W bowl | L bowl | W bowl | L bowl | L bowl | L bowl | L bowl | L bowl | L bowl | L bowl | W bowl | W bowl | W bowl | W bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
109 NFL Draft picks: John Dutton (1974), Steve Manstedt (1974), Daryl White (1974), Bob Wolfe (1974), Maury Damkroger (1974), Tom Ruud (1975), Bob Nelson (1975), John Starkebaum (1975) + 101 more
3rd-best Nebraska tenure of 11 by the numbers.
Followed William Jennings (1957–1961) · succeeded by Tom Osborne (1973–1997).
| Season | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||||
| Record | 9-2 | 10-1 | 9-2 | 10-1 | 9-2 | 6-4 | 6-4 | 9-2 | 11-0-1 | 13-0 | 9-2-1 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W bowl | W bowl | W bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
11th-best Nebraska tenure of 11 by the numbers.
Followed Pete Elliott (1956) · succeeded by Bob Devaney (1962–1972).
10th-best Nebraska tenure of 11 by the numbers.
Followed Potsy Clark (1948) · succeeded by Pete Elliott (1956).
6th-best Nebraska tenure of 11 by the numbers.
Followed Dana Bible (1936) · succeeded by Glenn Presnell (1942).