Jeff Jamrog Hired as Defensive Line Coach at Nebraska

Lincoln, Neb. -- Nebraska Head Coach Frank Solich announced at a press conference on Friday, Jan 21, that former Husker defensive end Jeff Jamrog will replace Coach Charlie McBride as defensive line coach, effective Jan. 23. Coach McBride retired his position as defensive line coach and defensive coordinator following the Huskers' 31-21 win over Tennessee in the Fiesta Bowl. Coach Solich promoted linebackers coach Craig Bohl to defensive coordinator on Jan. 3. McBride had been defensive coordinator for the Huskers for the past 18 years (since 1982) and defensive line coach for 23 seasons (since 1977).

Jamrog is a former Husker player and has spent the past three years as defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at New Mexico State where he helped Head Coach Tony Samuel turn around a program that had just two winning seasons in the previous 31 years until this season. Samuel is also a former Husker Blackshirt and coached the rush ends at NU from 1986 to 1996. This past year, the New Mexico State Aggies went 6-5, posting the first winning season at NMSU since 1992. In 1999 the Aggies had a 35-7 upset over then-No. 22 Arizona State on the road, and beat rival New Mexico for the second straight season. Jamrog's defense ranked first in the Big West Conference and 14th in the country in pass efficiency defense and second in the conference in scoring defense and total defense, holding four opponents to a touchdown or less. Six of Jamrog's players earned first- or second-team all-cconference honors this year.

While Jamrog enters a Nebraska program whose defense ranked among the top six in all four defensive categories last year, Jamrog has a knack at building winning programs and stingy defenses at each of his last three stops. From 1994 to 1996 Jamrog was the defensive coordinator at Nebraska-Omaha under head coach Pat Behrns. His first year, Jamrog coached the defensive line, then moved to inside linebackers for the last two seasons. Jamrog helped the Mavericks win their first outright North Central Conference championship in 1996 and helped UNO make a turnaround from a 3-8 season in 1995 to a school-best 10-2 mark and No. 4 national ranking in 1996.

Prior to his stay at UNO, Jamrog spent four seasons as an assistant at South Dakota (1990-93), first under Coach John Fritch, then under Dennis Creehan. Jamrog helped Coach Creehan turn South Dakota around from a 1-8 season in 1991 to a 6-5 mark in 1993. At USD, Jamrog coached inside linebackers, was the special teams coordinator and also served as the academic coordinator.

Jamrog began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Nebraska during the 1988 and 1989 seasons, earning his master's degree and an NCAA postgraduate scholarship. His duties included serving as the special teams coordinator and coaching the inside linebackers.

Coach Solich said, "Jeff Jamrog is someone we know very well. He is a bright, young coach who is a proven commodity in terms of his coaching ability and his recruiting ability. He has done a great job on both ends. He has defensive coordinator experience, he has coached linebackers, rush ends and defensive linemen. We feel he is the right guy for the job not only because of his coaching experience, but also because of the manner in which he relates to his players. We feel fortunate to get Jeff on board."

Jamrog said he is anxious to return home. "In the coaching profession, there are few jobs in the country that represent what college football is all about. Nebraska is at the top of that list. From Bob Devaney to Tom Osborne to Frank Solich, the tradition and success at Nebraska has been unmatched. It all starts with great administration. When you have a President such as L. Dennis Smith, a Chancellor such as James Moeser and a Director of Athletics like Bill Byrne, who are not afraid to place an emphasis on academics and athletics, it makes it possible for student-athletes and coaches to be successful on and off the field. The support staff and facilities at Nebraska are the best in the nation. Combine that with a school that is strong nationally in many academic areas, with the best fan support in the country, you have an excellent chance of being successful. To me, Nebraska represents the best of what college football is all about.

"It is an incredible opportunity to have a chance to coach for my alma mater and at the school where I played college ball. Rarely do you find a coach who gets to coach for his alma mater, in his home state and for one of the best programs in the country and I have the opportunity to do all three. I appreciate everything Coach Samuel has done for me. He has been tremendous through this whole process and has given me his support. All the ingredients that make up the Nebraska program, Tony has implemented at New Mexico State-with great success.

"Just like you can't really replace a Tom Osborne, I know I can't replace Charlie McBride, but with a great support staff and a strong work ethic, I will do everything I can to get the job done. I hope to carry on the Nebraska tradition and instill the pride of being a Blackshirt."

A former walk-on for the Huskers, Jamrog played for the freshman team in 1983, redshirted in 1984, then lettered three years as a defensive end playing for Coach Samuel, his position coach. He appeared in six games in 1985 as the No. 2 left rush end, recording one tackle and a sack. In 1986, Jamrog was an alternate and was credited with 22 tackles, 18 of them unassisted and seven for losses with four sacks. As a senior, Jamrog started and had 66 tackles including 47 solo stops, eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss. He also had three fumble recoveries. Nebraska was 29-7 during Jamrog's varsity career and went to a bowl game each year. He was a first-team academic All-American as a senior with a 3.629 cumulative grade-point average and a first-team academic All-Big Eight honoree. Jamrog earned the Guy Chamberlin Trophy in 1987, given to the senior player who has contributed to the betterment of the University of Nebraska football squad by his play and actions.

Jamrog earned his bachelor of science degree in business administration from UNL in 1987 and his masters degree in business administration from UNL in 1990. He is married to the former Connie J. Hoeven and together they have three children, Elizabeth (9), Brett (7) and Jared (4). Jamrog played for Coach Jim Kane at Elkhorn Mt. Michael as a prepster, graduating in 1983. He will celebrate his 35th birthday on Feb. 4.