Interim coach's comments shed light on direction of Nebraska's HC search

Nebraska interim head coach Mickey Joseph surprised Husker fans when he revealed he has not interviewed for the head-coaching position.

In an interview with Tom Shatel of the Omaha World-Herald, Joseph told the veteran columnist he had not even spoken to Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts about the position.

Despite not receiving an interview for the job, Joseph noted that he would be open to staying on staff at Nebraska under its new head coach. However, he added it would depend on the role.

Alberts’ apparent lack of consideration of Joseph — long believed to be in the running for the position — shows the scope of Nebraska’s search and the kind of candidate the Big Red is after.

Nebraska clearly has its sights set higher than Joseph, who sports an impressive coaching resume but has no extensive experience as a major college head coach.

Nebraska will not be settling for another candidate in the mold of Scott Frost—a coach with limited head-coaching experience and none at the Power 5 level. Nebraska fired Frost in September.

Immediately following the firing, Alberts outlined the characteristics he felt the next coach should have.

“Great coaches are people of character,” Alberts said. “They are people managers. They are culture-builders. I think they are grinders …I think it has to be somebody that has a servant leadership mentality that is here to serve young people. That perhaps sees a picture bigger than themselves.”

Nebraska’s apparent direction in its coaching search appears to fit the bill of one of the most common names popping up regarding the position.

The hottest name around the Nebraska coaching search appears to be former Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule.

Former Nebraska linebacker and current "Bussin’ with the Boys" star Will Compton stoked the fire when he reported Rhule was visiting the state.