BREAKING: Nebraska Cornhuskers Reignite the Fire, Appoint Football Icon Turner Gill as New Assistant Coach
LINCOLN, NE — In a stunning and symbolic move that has already sent shockwaves through the college football world, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have announced the appointment of legendary quarterback and coach Turner Gill as their new Assistant Head Coach and Director of Player Development. This bold decision marks a powerful reconnection to the program’s storied past while signaling an aggressive push toward its championship future.
At a packed Memorial Stadium press conference on Thursday morning, Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts stood before a sea of red and white-clad fans to deliver the news. “This is more than just a coaching hire,” Alberts said. “This is about reigniting the fire of Nebraska football. Turner Gill represents everything this program stands for — toughness, character, and excellence.”
Gill, 63, returns to Lincoln with a legacy few can rival. As quarterback under the legendary Tom Osborne from 1980 to 1983, Gill orchestrated one of the most dynamic offenses in college football history, leading Nebraska to three consecutive Big Eight titles and nearly clinching a national championship in 1983. Decades later, Gill’s impact as a coach was equally profound, most notably during his transformative tenure as head coach at Buffalo, where he led the Bulls to their first MAC Championship in 2008.
Gill retired from coaching in 2018 after a stint at Liberty University, citing a desire to focus on his family. Now, with renewed energy and a passion to uplift young athletes, Gill steps back onto the Nebraska sideline with a mission.
“This is home,” Gill said, visibly emotional. “Nebraska molded me into the man I am. Now I get to help mold the next generation — not just as players, but as people. I’m here to build leaders, to push for greatness, and to make sure the ‘N’ on that helmet stands for something deeper than wins and losses.”
Head Coach Matt Rhule, entering his second season with the Huskers, welcomed Gill’s addition as a turning point for the team. “Turner brings an unmatched perspective — not just of where this program has been, but of where it can go,” Rhule said. “His mentorship will be invaluable for our quarterbacks, our locker room, and our culture.”
In his new role, Gill will focus on leadership development, quarterback mentoring, and program integrity — elements that have sometimes been missing in Nebraska’s rollercoaster campaigns of the past decade. With fan morale cautiously optimistic, Gill’s return feels like a long-overdue bridge between past glory and future promise.
Though technically not the head coach, the gravity of his presence is already palpable. “You can feel it — a shift in the wind,” said former teammate Mike Rozier. “Turner’s back, and that means something. He is Nebraska football.”
Only time will tell if this move translates into wins, but one thing is clear: the heartbeat of Husker Nation just got a little louder.
