There is one thing that is sacred above all in the state of Nebraska: Cornhuskers football. With that level of scrutiny, it is a big deal that Mickey Joseph has been named interim head coach, becoming the first Black head coach of any sport in Nebraska Cornhusker history.
With roots at the school, Joseph was the quarterback of the 1990 squad under coach Tom Osborne. He understands the Nebraska system and culture and has all the relationships to make the transition seamless from coach Scott Frost. Moreover, Joseph is a product of North Omaha, the same as Terence Crawford, an area with the worst reputation in the city. Born of struggle, Joseph brings his resilience and homegrown toughness to Nebraska.
On Sunday, Frost was fired by the university only three games into his fifth season after a 45-42 loss to Georgia Southern on Saturday. Frost’s lack of success in close games, where their last 13 losses were by less than 10 points, played a crucial part in his firing.
Statement from Vice Chancellor, Director of Athletics – Trev Alberts. pic.twitter.com/weczB1ghoB
— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) September 11, 2022
“Earlier today, I met with Coach Frost and informed him we were making a change in the leadership of our football program, effective immediately,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Trev Alberts said in a statement. “Scott has poured his heart and soul into the Nebraska football program both as a quarterback and head coach, and I appreciate his work and dedication.
“After the disappointing start to our season, I decided the best path forward for our program was to make a change in our head coaching position. Associate Head Coach Mickey Joseph will serve as our interim head coach for the remainder of the 2022 season.”
The school must have been in a hurry, as they didn’t wait three more weeks, when Frost’s buyout would have dropped from $15 million to $7.5 million. Enter Mickey Joseph, a member of the Frost era who makes sense as the interim coach with Frost’s abrupt departure; he will be in that spot for at least nine games. His current status is like a demo for a full-time job, with many vying for consideration.
After 153 years in existence, Nebraska names it’s first black head coach, of *any* sport.
Congrats Mickey Joseph. pic.twitter.com/VDBtVowGlA
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 12, 2022
However, Joseph’s pedigree is solid, as the 54-year-old was the assistant head coach at LSU under Ed Orgeron before coming to Nebraska. He played quarterback from 1988 to 1991 and directed the offense as a starter in 1990 and leading the Huskers to an 8-0 start and No. 3 ranking.
Unfortunately, Joseph was tackled into metal benches in the first quarter of Nebraska’s final regular season game at Oklahoma, where he broke his leg en route to a 45-10 loss. In essence, Joseph has the experience in the trenches of the Huskers that the Nebraska faithful can trust.
In addition, coaching runs in the Joseph family, as Mickey’s brother Vance is the current defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals. Vance Joseph served two seasons as the head coach in Denver and worked with the San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals, and Miami Dolphins.
Mickey Joseph has now extended his place in Nebraska’s football history. Now the only question left is will he stay there?
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