Tom Osborne

Thomas William Osborne is a former American football player, coach, college athletics administrator and politician from Nebraska. He served as head football coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football from 1973 to 1997, building one of the most successful programs in college football history. After his coaching career, Osborne was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Osborne was elected in 2000 as a Republican to represent Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving three terms from 2001 to 2007. Following his time in Congress, he returned to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln as athletic director from 2007 until his retirement in 2013.

A native of Nebraska, Osborne played quarterback and wide receiver at Hastings College before a brief stint in the NFL. He joined Nebraska’s coaching staff under Bob Devaney in 1963 and was named Devaney’s successor in 1973. Over the next 25 seasons, Osborne compiled a 255–49–3 record (.836 winning percentage), won 13 conference championships and captured three consensus national championships in 1994, 1995 and 1997. His 1995 team is frequently cited among the greatest in college football history.

Osborne coached 53 All-Americans and mentored numerous future NFL players, including 1983 Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier. Known for his disciplined I-formation offense and innovative strength, conditioning and nutrition programs, he was widely respected for emphasizing academic achievement and character development alongside athletic success.

In the years since retiring from athletics administration, Osborne has remained active in public speaking and philanthropic work through the TeamMates Mentoring Program, which he co-founded to support youth mentorship across Nebraska and beyond.