By Travis Morgan
tmorgan@kcautv.com
Lincoln, NE - University of Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne today announced his plan to retire Jan. 1, 2013. At 75, Osborne who retired as Nebraska's head football coach in 1998 and who has led the Husker Athletic Department for the past five years will step down as athletic director.
On Jan. 1, Osborne will become athletic director emeritus. He will continue to be actively involved in Athletic Department operations through July 30, 2013.
"It has been a pleasure and an honor to work in the Athletic Department for the past five years," Osborne said. "I hope that there have been some good things that have been accomplished during that time. I appreciate Chancellor Perlman giving me this opportunity. I've had the privilege of working with some outstanding people in the Athletic Department and have confidence that the trajectory of the Athletic Department is very good."
Osborne returned to his Husker roots on Oct. 16, 2007, to become the 13th athletic director at the University of Nebraska. He accepted the position at the time because, Osborne said, "Harvey Perlman asked me."
Husker athletics and the university have seen unprecedented growth in facilities over the past five years. Osborne is overseeing three major athletics construction projects: the development of the Pinnacle Bank Arena (a city of Lincoln project), home to the Husker basketball programs upon its completion in fall 2013; the East Memorial Stadium expansion project, to expand seating capacity of the stadium to 92,000 and accommodate the development of a health/athletics performance research facility and a Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior research, (also by fall 2013); and planning major renovations to the Bob Devaney Sports Center for volleyball, set to begin in 2013. He oversaw the development of the Hendricks Training Complex (which opened in October 2011) and the development of the Student Life Complex in the West Memorial Stadium in 2009, the Haymarket Park Indoor Practice Facility for baseball and softball (2011) and the Alloy Strength Complex (2011).
Since 2007, Osborne has hired six head coaches: Bo Pelini (football), 2008; Chuck Chmelka (men's gymnastics), 2009; Darin Erstad (baseball), 2011; Dave Harris (cross country), 2012; Tim Miles (men's basketball), 2012; and Stacy Underwood (rifle), 2012.
Retiring from football coaching following the 1997 season, Osborne found several ways to stay active in his home state. His most visible post-coaching foray came in the political arena, as he served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from Nebraska's 3rd District from 2000 to 2006.
