Nebraska football has a very healthy tradition.

Its history makes it one of a kind, and part of the Huskers’ history involves Barney Cotton. Cotton played at Nebraska from 1975-78 and was selected in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft.

After his career in the NFL, Cotton went the coaching route and spent many season at Nebraska as an assistant, coordinator and was even the interim head coach in 2014. Since 2015, Cotton has been a tight ends coach and the offensive coordinator at UNLV.

Going into 2019, though, he won’t be coaching football due to health concerns:

According to a UNLV press release, Cotton is in Omaha, Neb. awaiting a heart transplant as he is currently on the waiting list.

“Barney has unfortunately been forced to be away from football and his Rebel family and we are all keeping him in our thoughts and prayers,” UNLV head coach Tony Sanchez said. “He is a tremendous coach, teacher, person and a great friend.”