Coaching Staff
Tom Osborne
College Career
Osborne served on Coach Bob Devaney's staff from 1962 to 1963 as a graduate assistant, 1964 to 1966 as a part-time coach and teacher. He became full-time receivers coach in 1967 and was named assistant head coach in 1972 when Devaney selected him as his successor. He replaced Devaney in 1973.
Nebraska's record with Osborne as head coach was 254-49-3. The Cornhusker's record with his 36 years on the staff was 355-69-5. He coached the Huskers to twenty-five consecutive bowl appearance including thirteen conference crowns. And three national championships including back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995. Every year he led his team to nine or more wins and averaged more than ten victories per season.
Osborne holds the Big Twelve Conference records for victories (254), games (306) and seasons coached (25).
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Pro Career
After 36 years on the Nebraska Coaching staff, was named as the NIFA Buccaneers' first head coach on April 25, 1998, when he signed a four-year contract. Joined Tampa Bay after serving as the Cornhuskers head coach from 1973-97. 1998 will be his first season serving on the coaching staff of an NFL team.
Three years as an NFL player, one with San Francisco 49ers (1959), two with Washington Redskins (1960-61), as a flanker. Was only a reserve player who played in exhibition games only.
Background
Played three years at Hastings, Neb., High School, where he was an outstanding athlete in several sports and was named Nebraska High School Athlete-of-the-Year. Played for four years as star quarterback for Hastings (Neb.) College and was twice named State College Athlete-of-the-Year, becoming first person to win both prep and college awards.
Personal
Born Feb. 23, 1937, in Hastings, Neb. Tom and his wife, Nancy, have three children: son Mike, and daughters Ann and Suzi. Mike and his wife, Emily have two children: son William, and daughter Catey. Ann and her husband, Bob Wilke, have one child: daughter Haley. Suzi married Kevin Dobbs. Tom resides in Tampa now with his wife while his children all live in Nebraska.
Assistant Coaches
Mark Asanovich, strength and conditioning; born May 20, 1959, Duluth, Minn., lives in Clearwater, Fla. No college or pro playing experience. College coach: Ohio State 1985, Citadel 1986. Pro coach: Minnesota Vikings 1995, joined Buccaneers in 1996.
Clyde Christensen, tight ends; born January 28, 1958, Corvine, Calif., lives in Tampa. Quarterback Fresno (Calif.) J.C. 1975, North Carolina 1976-78. No pro playing experience. College coach: East Tennessee State 1980-82, Temple 1983-85, East Carolina 1986-88, Holy Cross 1989-90, South Carolina 1991, Maryland 1992-93, Clemson 1994-95. Pro coach: Joined Buccaneers in 1996.
Herman Edwards, assistant head coach/defensive backs; born April 27, 1954, Monmouth, N.J., lives in Tampa. Defensive back California 1972, 1974, Monterrey Peninsula (Calif.) J.C. 1973, San Diego State 1975-76. Pro defensive back Philadelphia Eagles 1977-85, Los Angeles Rams 1986, Atlanta Falcons 1986. College coach: San Jose State 1987-89. Pro coach: Kansas City Chiefs 1992-94 (scout 1990-91, 1995), joined Buccaneers in 1996.
Chris Foerster, offensive line; born October 12, 1961, Milwaukee, Wis., lives in Tampa. Center Colorado State 1979-82. No pro playing experience. College coach: Colorado State 1983-87, Stanford 1988-91, Minnesota 1992. Pro coach: Minnesota Vikings 1993-95, joined Buccaneers in 1996.
Monte Kiffin, defensive coordinator; born February 29, 1940, Lexington, Neb., lives in Tampa. Offensive/defensive tackle Nebraska 1959-63. Pro defensive end Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) 1965. College coach: Nebraska 1966-76, Arkansas 1977-79, North Carolina State 1980-82 (head coach). Pro coach: Green Bay Packers 1983, Buffalo Bills 1984-85, Minnesota Vikings 1986-89, 1991-94, New York Jets 1990, New Orleans Saints 1995, joined Buccaneers in 1996.
Joe Marciano, special teams; born February 10, 1954, Scranton, Pa., lives in Tampa. Quarterback Temple 1972-75. No pro playing experience. College coach: East Stroudsburg 1977, Rhode Island 1978-79, Villanova 1980, Penn State 1981, Temple 1982. Pro coach: Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars (USFL) 1983-85, New Orleans Saints 1986-95, joined Buccaneers in 1996.
Rod Marinelli, defensive line; born July 13, 1949, Rosemead, Calif., lives in Tampa. Offensive/defensive tackle Utah 1968, offensive tackle California Lutheran 1970-72 (military service 1969-70). No pro playing experience. College coach: Utah State 1976-82, California 1983-91, Arizona State 1992-94, Southern California 1995. Pro coach: Joined Buccaneers in 1996.
Tony Nathan, running backs; born December 14, 1956, Birmingham, Ala., lives in Tampa. Running back Alabama 1975-78. Pro running back Miami Dolphins 1979-87. Pro coach: Miami Dolphins 1988-95, joined Buccaneers in 1996.
Kevin O'Dea, defensive assistant; born June 9, 1960, Williamsport, Va., lives in Tampa. Defensive back/wide receiver Lock Haven 1982-85. No pro playing experience. College coach: Lock Haven 1986, Cornell 1987, Virginia 1988-90, Penn State 1991-93. Pro coach: San Diego Chargers 1994-95, joined Buccaneers in 1996.
Mike Shula, offensive coordinator; born June 3, 1965, Baltimore, Md., lives in Tampa. Quarterback Alabama 1983-86. Pro quarterback Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1987. Pro coach: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1988-90, Miami Dolphins 1991-92, Chicago Bears 1993-95, rejoined Buccaneers in 1996. Lovie Smith, linebackers; born May 8, 1958, Gladewater, Tex., lives in Tampa. Linebacker Tulsa 1976-79. No pro playing experience. College coach: Tulsa 1983-86, Wisconsin 1987, Arizona State 1988-91, Kentucky 1992, Tennessee 1993-94, Ohio State 1995. Pro coach: Joined Buccaneers in 1996.
Ricky Thomas, offensive assistant; born March 29, 1965, London, England, lives in Tampa. Safety Alabama 1983-86. Pro safety Seattle Seahawks 1987. College coach: Kentucky 1996, Gardner-Webb 1996. Pro coach: Joined Buccaneers in 1997.
Charlie Williams, wide receivers; born January 31, 1958, Long Beach, Calif., lives in Tampa. Defensive back Long Beach City College 1977-78, Colorado State 1979-80. No pro playing experience. College coach: Colorado State 1981, Long Beach City College 1984-85, New Mexico State 1986-87, Texas Christian 1988-91, Minnesota 1992, Miami 1993-95. Pro coach: Joined Buccaneers in 1996.
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