Tom Osborne
Tom Osborne
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Tom William Osborne Jr., commonly known as Tom Osborne, is a former American football player, coach, politician, and professor.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on February 23, 1937, in Redbluff, Nebraska. He is still alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Osborne is an American of English descent, with multiple professions including:
Football player (halfback)
Football coach
Politician (U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 3rd congressional district)
Professor
Early Life and Background
Tom Osborne grew up in a family that valued hard work and education. His father was a farmer and rancher, while his mother worked as a teacher. Osborne was an exceptional student and athlete, lettering in football, basketball, baseball, and track at Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Nebraska.
He attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) on a scholarship, where he played halfback for the Cornhuskers football team under coach Bob Devaney. During his playing career, Osborne was an All-American, won three national championships, and set numerous records that stood for over 40 years.
Major Accomplishments
As a player:
Three-time All-American
Three-time Big Eight Conference MVP
Set numerous records, including most rushing yards in a season (1,840) and most touchdowns in a season (26)
As a coach:
Led the Cornhuskers to three national championships (1994-1995, 1997)
Won five conference titles
Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (2003)
Inducted into the Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame (1982)Notable Works or Actions
In addition to his coaching and playing career, Osborne has also served in politics:
U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 3rd congressional district (2001-2007)
Chairman of the House Budget Committee
Member of the National Football Foundation Board of Directors
Osborne has also been a professor at UNL, teaching classes on history and public policy.
Impact and Legacy
Tom Osborne's impact on college football is immeasurable. His coaching career was marked by unparalleled success, including three national championships. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history.
Osborne's influence extends beyond his playing and coaching days. As a politician, he worked tirelessly to improve education and healthcare in Nebraska. His commitment to public service has inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in politics.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Tom Osborne is widely quoted and remembered for his:
Unwavering dedication to hard work and excellence
Innovative coaching strategies that revolutionized college football
Commitment to education and public service
Leadership and integrity, both on and off the field
His quotes often emphasize the importance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. Osborne's legacy serves as a reminder that success is not solely defined by individual achievement but also by the positive impact one has on others.
Quotes by Tom Osborne
When you coach as long as I did, you can't help but miss those Saturdays - dealing with the players, the game preparation, the challenges, the excitement.
You can tell by looking at me that I've got more miles behind me than I've got in front of me. When you reach that point, if you've got some good years left, you want to make sure that you use them wisely.
When you coach as long as I did, you can’t help but miss those Saturdays – dealing with the players, the game preparation, the challenges, the excitement.
As a college coach, I felt you could make a difference in a player’s life. There was an educational aspect I thought was important.
I still miss the players and I miss the game and the strategy. The first couple years were really difficult. Now I realize I’ll never coach again. It’s still hard to go into the stadium on a game day, because it’s hard to just be a fan. But it’s easier now than it was the first two or three years.
Our people were not happy. I knew at some point we were going to win. It’s a little unfair, but that’s the reality. To some degree, it became a one-game season for some folks.
I’ll bring in outsiders to evaluate state agencies. They can sometimes see what we can’t.
I celebrate a victory when I start walking off the field. By the time I get to the locker room, I’m done.
You can tell by looking at me that I’ve got more miles behind me than I’ve got in front of me. When you reach that point, if you’ve got some good years left, you want to make sure that you use them wisely.