Attig Accepts High School Coaching Post

Lincoln ? Nebraska assistant coach Rick Attig has resigned from his position as pole vault/multi-events coach after completing his fifth season with the Husker track and field program. Attig has accepted a teaching and head coaching position at BlueValleyNorthHigh School in Overland Park, Kan.

 

“I always knew that I wanted to finish coaching at the high school level, maybe five or six years down the road, but I didn’t think it would happen quite this quickly,” Attig said. “The opportunity was just too difficult to pass up. I have enjoyed my time at Nebraska, especially the relations with our athletes and coaches. I know if I was in the process of looking for a college job, Nebraska would be the one I would want.”

 

The men’s and women’s pole vault and multi-events groups have flourished since Attig’s arrival at Nebraska in 2001. Husker athletes have notched 16 All-America honors, a dozen Big 12 championships and two NCAA titles during Attig’s five-year stint. Former Husker Eric Eshbach, the 2003 NCAA outdoor pole vault champion, claimed five All-America honors, four Big 12 titles and broke both indoor and outdoor school records under Attig’s tutelage.

The 2005 season was one of NU’s most successful yet under Attig. Ashley Selig registered a breakout season by winning the NCAA indoor pentathlon championship in March, before claiming the bronze award in the heptathlon outdoors earlier this month. Selig also swept the indoor and outdoor conference multi-event titles. The NU men’s pole vault tandem of Ray Scotten and Gable Baldwin won indoor and outdoor conference championships, respectively, while Scotten placed second at the NCAA Indoor Championships in March.

 

Attig has built an impressive resume during his 22-year college coaching career with Nebraska and conference rival Kansas. His athletes have earned 49 NCAA All-America honors, 45 individual Big Eight/Big 12 titles, five U.S. titles and two NCAA championships. The author of the USA Track and Field pole vault manual, Attig has also served as the National Pole Vault Development chairman.

                      

“Rick has made major contributions while he has been at Nebraska in both coaching and recruiting,” Head Coach Gary Pepin said. “He is a class act whom all of our athletes and staff respect. We are going to miss him, but this is a wonderful opportunity for him and his family. I am glad he is getting the chance to take the job of his dreams.”

 

Pepin said that the search for an assistant coach has already begun with no specific timetable set to fill the vacancy. Attig’s position will terminate effective July 15.