http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2007/1...c5225847546.txt
Ron Brown returns to NU coaching ranks
By BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Monday, Dec 03, 2007 - 07:08:09 pm CST
At least one piece of Nebraska coach Bo Pelini’s football staff is officially in place.
Former longtime Nebraska assistant coach Ron Brown confirmed Monday that he’s been hired as tight ends coach. He’s passed his recruiting test and is set to hit the road today.
“I think more than anything, I can get back into recruiting quickly,” Brown said. “I travel a lot (for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and now it’s just a matter of getting acquainted with the kids.”
Brown was on the Husker staff for 17 years, coaching tight ends along with receivers for 16 of those. Bill Callahan’s arrival in 2004 left Brown out of coaching. For the past four years, Brown has served as state director of the FCA. He has resigned from that position.
Brown said he is working hard to become familiar with the players who have committed to Nebraska.
“We don’t want to have a short recruiting class,” Brown said. “I have very few details right now. We just haven’t had a chance to meet enough.”
Pelini isn’t commenting on his staff until its in place. But it appears other offensive assistants will include Shawn Watson, who will continue his role as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Barney Cotton for the offensive line and Ted Gilmore for the receivers. It’s unclear who will coach the running backs.
Phil Elmassian, who coached cornerbacks all four years on Callahan’s staff, told the Journal Star on Sunday that he wasn’t being retained. He said Pelini, who met with members of Callahan’s staff Sunday night, was bringing in his own defensive staff, meaning it’s unlikely any defensive coaches will be retained.
That’s not unexpected, considering the defensive-minded Pelini is in charge of revamping a defense that finished the regular season No. 112 nationally.
New defensive assistants, sources say, will include Bo’s brother Carl Pelini, and Marvin Sanders, who coached Nebraska’s secondary with Pelini in 2003.
Other names that have surfaced include Jimmy Williams, who coached linebackers at Nebraska in 2003, and possibly LSU assistant Bradley Dale Peveto, who’s the Tigers’ special-teams coordinator.
Cotton and Sanders were both in Lincoln on Monday.
As for the head coach, there’s no official word on whether Pelini will coach LSU in the Jan. 7 BCS national championship game against Ohio State.
Pelini’s contract details are also still being finalized. Nebraska officials say it could be a week or two before those details are announced.
“Obviously, there have been some agreements in principle and a memorandum of understanding, but it still takes time to get all the documents through the proper legal channels,” said Randy York, Nebraska associate athletic director for communications.
“We will announce full details of the contract when the timing is appropriate.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
