Dana Holgorsen’s decision to step in as Nebraska’s offensive coordinator in the middle of the season was motivated by a sense of boredom, which he expressed humorously in a recent interview.
Holgorsen was previously a consultant at TCU when Nebraska’s head coach, Matt Rhule, approached him over two weeks ago to tackle the Cornhuskers’ offensive challenges.
At 53 years of age, Holgorsen brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, being recognized as a top offensive mind in college football. He has a notable background, with eight years spent under the tutelage of Mike Leach at Texas Tech, followed by stints as offensive coordinator at both Houston and Oklahoma State. Additionally, he served as the head coach at West Virginia for eight years and had a five-year tenure at Houston.
Holgorsen revealed that Rhule had initially reached out to him last December after Houston terminated his contract. However, he felt it was not the right time for him to take on the role. “I didn’t think it was fair to him, me or the program,” he commented, explaining his reluctance to step into such a demanding position while feeling worn out from recent experiences.
Although he appreciated his time at TCU under coach Sonny Dykes, Holgorsen admitted that the role felt unfulfilling, particularly on game days when he missed the direct involvement of coaching. The need for improvement in Nebraska’s offense became pressing, particularly after a loss to UCLA on November 2, leading Rhule to call Holgorsen for assistance.
Holgorsen expressed gratitude for being summoned, saying, “I was excited to jump on it.” His arrival signals an effort to uplift the program in Rhule’s second year, as they strive for bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016. He expressed disbelief that it has been so long since a program of Nebraska’s stature appeared in a bowl game, noting, “Doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Since joining, Holgorsen’s initial focus has been on analyzing game footage, familiarizing himself with the team’s terminology and personnel, and providing straightforward evaluations on the practice field. “I didn’t come here with the intention of being the offensive coordinator and the play-caller,” he explained, highlighting the uncertainty of the situation. Nevertheless, he embraced the challenge and is committed to making daily improvements.
On November 11, Rhule officially announced Holgorsen as the offensive coordinator, succeeding Marcus Satterfield for the remainder of the season. Nebraska is compensating Holgorsen with $66,667 for his work through November; however, his future position with the team remains unclear. Satterfield remains as tight ends coach, and Holgorsen has expressed appreciation for the professionalism exhibited by Satterfield and fellow assistants during this transitional phase.
In his debut game, the Cornhuskers faced a challenging 28-20 defeat against Southern California. With a record of 5-5 overall and 2-5 in Big Ten play, the Huskers are currently on a four-game losing streak, preparing to host Wisconsin. Holgorsen observed that while there is considerable talent within the team, improvements are needed in areas such as the running backs’ confidence in hitting gaps and the receivers’ blocking efforts.
A promising aspect of the team’s future is freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, who is regarded as a valuable asset in the offensive overhaul. Holgorsen praised Raiola’s intelligence and grasp of the game. “He’s a very, very bright young man,” he remarked, impressed by Raiola’s ability to process information and effectively communicate with his teammates.
As Holgorsen settles into his role, he is focused on enhancing the offensive performance, with the ambitions of both the program and its players driving him forward.