History of Tom Osborne in Timeline

Tom Osborne is a highly successful figure in American football and politics. He coached the Nebraska Cornhuskers from 1973 to 1997, achieving considerable success and earning a place in the College Football Hall of Fame. Transitioning to politics, Osborne served as a Republican Congressman for Nebraska's third district for three terms (2001-2007). Later, he returned to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as athletic director from 2007 until his retirement in 2013, marking a significant impact in both athletics and public service.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

February 23, 1937: Tom Osborne Born

On February 23, 1937, Thomas William Osborne was born. He would later become a football player, coach, college athletics administrator, and politician from Nebraska.

1955: Nebraska High School Athlete of the Year

In 1955, Tom Osborne was named Nebraska High School Athlete of the Year by the Omaha World-Herald.

1958: Nebraska Suffers Worst Home Loss

In 1958, Nebraska suffered its worst home loss since being shut out by Missouri.

1958: Recipient of the Emil S. Liston Award

In 1958, Tom Osborne received the Emil S. Liston Award, given to the most outstanding NAIA junior basketball player.

1959: Graduation from Hastings College

In 1959, Tom Osborne graduated from Hastings College with a BA in history.

1959: College Athlete of the Year

In 1959, Tom Osborne was named college athlete of the year by the Omaha World-Herald.

1959: Selected in NFL Draft

In 1959, Tom Osborne was selected in the nineteenth round of the NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers, but was later released without playing a regular season game.

1960: Service in Nebraska Army National Guard began

In 1960, Tom Osborne began his service in the Nebraska Army National Guard.

1960: NFL Debut with the Washington Redskins

In 1960, Tom Osborne made his NFL debut with the Washington Redskins. On November 6, he played against the St. Louis Cardinals. He had one reception for eight yards.

1961: More Playing Time

In 1961, Tom Osborne saw more playing time, starting twelve games and scoring his first career touchdown against the Browns in Week 4, and his second against the Cardinals in Week 12.

1962: Joined Nebraska's Coaching Staff

In 1962, Tom Osborne joined Nebraska's coaching staff as an unpaid assistant to head coach Bob Devaney.

1963: Earned Master's Degree

In 1963, Tom Osborne earned a Master's degree in educational psychology from the University of Nebraska.

1964: Last Time Living Regularly in District

Tom Osborne hadn't lived regularly in the district since at least 1964.

1965: Completed Doctorate

In 1965, Tom Osborne completed his doctorate at the University of Nebraska.

1966: Service in Nebraska Army National Guard ended

In 1966, Tom Osborne ended his service in the Nebraska Army National Guard.

1967: Disappointing Season

In 1967, the Cornhuskers had a disappointing 6-4 season.

1968: Disappointing Season

In 1968, the Cornhuskers had a disappointing 6-4 season.

1969: Named Offensive Coordinator

In 1969, Tom Osborne was named offensive coordinator for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and he switched to a balanced attack operated from the I formation.

1970: First National Title

In 1970, Tom Osborne's revamped offense sparked the Cornhuskers to their first national title in program history, defeating LSU in the Orange Bowl.

1971: Won National Title Again

In 1971, Nebraska won the national title again, becoming the first champion ever to defeat the next three teams in the final AP Poll.

1972: Devaney Stepped Down

In 1972, Bob Devaney stepped down as head coach of Nebraska to concentrate on his duties as athletic director, and named Tom Osborne his successor. Devaney's final game was a convincing win over Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.

1973: Head Coach of Nebraska Cornhuskers

In 1973, Tom Osborne became the head football coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, a position he held for 25 seasons.

1973: Named Devaney's Successor

In 1973, Tom Osborne was named Bob Devaney's successor as head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

1979: Assistant Athletic Director

From 1979 to 1998, Tom Osborne was assistant athletic director at Nebraska.

October 12, 1981: Top 25 Ranking Streak

From October 12, 1981, onward, Tom Osborne's teams were ranked in the top 25 every week.

1983: Mike Rozier wins Heisman Trophy

In 1983, Mike Rozier, coached by Tom Osborne, won the Heisman Trophy.

1984: 1984 Orange Bowl

In 1984, Nebraska entered the Orange Bowl game 12-0 and ranked No. 1. They lost to Miami after attempting a two-point conversion instead of kicking the extra point to tie.

1984: Tom Osborne Expressway Designated

In 1984, the section of U.S. Route 281 between Hastings and Grand Island was designated the Tom Osborne Expressway.

1994: Heartbreaking Title Game Loss

In 1994, Nebraska lost a heartbreaking title game in the Orange Bowl to Florida State, failing to secure a last-second field goal.

1994: Outright National Championship

In 1994, Tom Osborne's Nebraska team won an outright national championship.

1995: First Title as Head Coach

In 1995, Tom Osborne earned his first title as head coach, defeating Miami in the Orange Bowl 24-17.

1995: Received Golden Plate Award

In 1995, Tom Osborne received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.

1995: Outright National Championship

In 1995, Tom Osborne's Nebraska team won an outright national championship.

1996: Second National Championship

In 1996, the Cornhuskers defeated Florida 62-24 in the Fiesta Bowl to earn Osborne his second national championship.

1997: Guest of Honor at Homecoming Game

In 1997, Tom Osborne and the national championship team were the guests of honor at Nebraska's Homecoming game.

1997: Retirement from Coaching

In 1997, Tom Osborne retired as the head football coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers after 25 seasons.

1997: Shared National Championship

In 1997, Tom Osborne's Nebraska team won a share of the national championship.

1997: Retirement Announcement and Final Game

Late in the 1997 season, Tom Osborne announced his retirement and selected Frank Solich as his successor. His final game was a national championship victory over Tennessee, with a score of 42-17.

1998: Assistant Athletic Director

From 1979 to 1998, Tom Osborne was assistant athletic director at Nebraska.

1998: Tom Osborne Field

In 1998, Nebraska renamed the playing surface at Memorial Stadium Tom Osborne Field.

1999: Induction into College Football Hall of Fame

In 1999, Tom Osborne was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, and ESPN named him the "coach of the decade" for the 1990s.

2000: Announced Congressional Run

Early in 2000, Tom Osborne announced that he would run in Nebraska's 3rd District as a Republican and won the election in November.

2000: Jim Thorpe Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2000, Tom Osborne received the Jim Thorpe Lifetime Achievement Award.

2000: Elected to Congress

In 2000, Tom Osborne was elected to Congress from Nebraska's third district as a Republican.

2001: Service in Congress

In 2001, Tom Osborne began serving three terms in Congress, representing Nebraska's third district.

2002: Re-election to Congress

In 2002, Tom Osborne was reelected to Congress with no major-party opposition.

2004: Re-election to Congress

In 2004, Tom Osborne was reelected to Congress against a Democrat.

2006: Ran for Governor of Nebraska

In 2006, Tom Osborne ran for Governor of Nebraska, challenging the incumbent Dave Heineman and Omaha businessman Dave Nabity in the Republican primary.

October 16, 2007: Named Interim Athletic Director

On October 16, 2007, Tom Osborne was named interim athletic director at Nebraska.

November 24, 2007: Fired Head Coach Bill Callahan

On November 24, 2007, Tom Osborne fired head coach Bill Callahan following a 5-7 season.

2007: Appointed to Board of Directors

In 2007, President George W. Bush appointed Tom Osborne as a member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

2007: Return to University of Nebraska as Athletic Director

In 2007, Tom Osborne returned to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as athletic director.

2007: "Greatest College Football Coach of all Time"

In 2007, a poll named Tom Osborne the "greatest college football coach of all time".

2008: Resigned from Board of Directors

In 2008, Tom Osborne resigned from his position on the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

June 30, 2010: Removal of Interim Tag

On December 19, Nebraska removed the interim tag from Tom Osborne's title and announced he would remain athletic director through June 30, 2010.

2010: Accepted invitation to join Big Ten

In 2010, Tom Osborne ended Nebraska's long-standing relationship with the Big 12 Conference and accepted an invitation for the school to become the twelfth member of the Big Ten.