Osborne Puts House in Order

If Nebraska defeats Miami in the Rose Bowl, the Cornhuskers can expect the obligatory postgame, locker-room phone call from a famous politician.

President Bush?

How about Tom Osborne?

Osborne has left the sporting arena for the political, wrapping up his first year as a United States congressman representing Nebraska’s third district.

After winning three national titles in 25 stupendous seasons as Nebraska’s football coach, Osborne won landslide election to the House of Representatives last year and, admittedly, has had to struggle a bit with the loss of prestige.

“Being a freshman in Congress, you don’t have a lot of clout,” Osborne said from his office in Washington. “You’re really depending on a lot of people to help you. I was a little uncertain. I was sort of feeling my way along. I had never been in the state legislature. Never been in a political arena.”

Not surprisingly, Osborne has thrown himself into his work with the dedication and passion that made him a hall of fame coach and an icon in his home state.

He is a member of congressional committees on agriculture, education and the workforce, and resources. His Mentoring for Success Act amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which will help establish a national mentoring program.

Osborne is also deeply devoted to solving Nebraska’s farming problems.

He was always more than a football coach at Nebraska. In 1965, he earned a doctorate in educational psychology, and while he is best remembered for his football record of 255-49-3, Osborne’s views on social and economic issues have long made him a de facto political force in his home state.

Osborne confesses he sometimes misses the power he had as a football coach.

“Things don’t move quickly here,” he said of Washington. “You can’t snap your fingers and something happens.”

Any notions of a mundane first term, however, ended Sept. 11.

“It’s been an interesting and challenging time, a stimulating time to be here,” Osborne said. “You don’t want something like that to happen. On the other hand, if you’re used to being where the action is, this is the place I wanted to be.”

Osborne was sworn in last Jan. 3. He typically spends Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in Washington, then goes home to Nebraska for weekends.

He says he will not attend the Rose Bowl but plans to watch the game at home on television.

Osborne didn’t quite know what to expect when he got to Washington, but says a few things have surprised him.

“The quality of people is much better than the public perceives,” he said. “Just like any business, or football team, there’s two or three people that can give a false impression.

“But most people work very long hours, spend a lot of time traveling away from their families and are here for the right reasons. So I respect what they are doing.”

Nothing, though, can replace the adrenaline rush of being a major college football coach.

Osborne never really wanted to walk away from the game at 60, after winning his third national title in 1997. He had a history of heart problems, though, had undergone bypass surgery, and retired largely in deference to his family.

Does he miss coaching?

“Yeah, I really do,” he said. “I miss the associations. I miss the players. I miss Saturdays. It was always kind of a challenge to figure out what to do. How to attack the defense. How to adjust. It’s a pretty intense existence. Almost addictive.

“On the other hand, this is fine. What I’m doing is meaningful and an entirely different avenue. To be honest, I was never tired of football. It wasn’t like I hated it. I was never bored at practice. But if I was ever going to make a break I was going to have to do it pretty soon or I was never going to be able to.”

For the record, you can add Osborne’s name to the growing list of those who are not candidates for the vacant Notre Dame coaching position.

“No,” Osborne chuckled, “I haven’t heard from anybody. I’m pretty well committed here. I’m going to run for reelection and I’ve told people that. I think coaching is behind me.”