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Nebraska interim coach Mickey Joseph ‘more concerned’ on Oklahoma than being Cornhuskers’ first Black coach

Cole Thompson

By Cole Thompson

Published:

Nebraska interim head coach Mickey Joseph isn’t looking to become the Cornhuskers’ coach for just 9 games. He wants the job permanently following the 2022 season.

Joseph, 54, whose set to replace Scott Frost following his firing in Week 2, will have the first crack to prove he is the right man to lead the Cornhuskers back to prominence. Joseph also is the first Black coach in the program’s history regardless of the sport.

While some are making a big deal of the accomplishment, Joseph’s attention is more on getting the Huskers ready for No. 6 Oklahoma come Saturday.

“I haven’t really thought about that because I’ve been a football coach, I’ve been a Black football coach, all my life,” Joseph said. “I’m more concerned about the boys and getting the boys ready to play on Saturday. It’s bigger than me.”

Frost was fired after going 1-2 to begin the new season in Lincoln. Despite finding success in the transfer portal with names such as Texas QB Casey Thompson and TCU defensive end Ouchan Mathis, the Huskers never found their footing in early matchups. On Sunday, Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts announced the school would be terminating Frost’s contract, giving him the full $15 million buyout. 

Should the Huskers have waited until Oct. 1, Frost’s buyout would have dropped from $15 million to $7.5 million. Frost finished with a 16-31 record.

Joseph, who played quarterback for the Huskers from 1988-91, joined Frost’s staff this offseason after spending the past 5 seasons at LSU. He is best known for his ability to recruit and develop NFL talent, primarily at wide receiver.

Kick-off for Saturday’s matchup against the Sooners is set for noon E.T.

Cole Thompson

Cole Thompson is a freelance writer for Saturday Tradition who has covered college football and the NFL for multiple websites. Thompson is currently based in Houston, Texas, and also can be heard daily on SportsMap National Radio's 'Just Sayin It' from 3am-6am.