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Steven M. Sipple: Frost gets steal in hire of Bill Busch; three former Huskers tell you why

February 9, 2021 by LPP Reporter

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Bill Busch

Then-Nebraska assistant coach Bill Busch talks to safety Larry Asante during 2007 football game at Missouri.

Journal Star file photo

Steven M. Sipple

Bill Busch went to work Tuesday morning for the first time in his new role as a defensive analyst for the Nebraska football program.

Technically speaking, he’s not an on-field coach in this role, although he can help implement schemes and be in meetings. 

But don’t get too caught up in the details here. Husker head coach Scott Frost got a steal with this hire. 

NU finalizes football staff additions, including return of former assistant Bill Busch as analyst

Steven M. Sipple: Frost wise to keep Austin in fold; and Keith Williams back where he belongs

“I don’t think the title tells you a whole lot about the kind of contribution he’s likely to make,” said Brandon Rigoni, vice president of business development at Lincoln Industries and an excellent special-teams player for Nebraska as a letterman from 2004-06, when Busch was in charge of those units.

A walk-on from Lincoln Southeast, Rigoni says Busch basically was the first coach at NU to give him a chance to contribute. 

“He’s going to have an influence and an impact,” Rigoni said. “He’s not a guy who sits in the background. That’s just not who he is. I don’t think he would get into a situation where he couldn’t have a strong impact.” 

The 55-year-old Busch, who grew up in Pender (population 1,112) in Thurston County, spent 2004-07 at Nebraska under head coach Bill Callahan coaching outside linebackers (2004) and safeties (2005-07) while also serving as the special-teams coordinator. It would be surprising if Frost wouldn’t somehow find a way to tap deep into Busch’s special-teams acumen. At the risk of sounding glib, the Huskers could use some help in that area, the sooner the better. 

Did I mention this feels like a significant hire for Frost? If the fourth-year Nebraska head coach was seeking a burst of energy in his program, it arrived Tuesday. I’ve said it before: Busch tends to make things happen. He’s a 4 a.m. riser and an all-day grinder. To say he’s enthusiastic about what he does in this world is an understatement. He basically willed his way into being a college football coach in the early 1990s, going so far as to buy — on his own dime — the same coaching uniform worn by the Husker staff, even though he wasn’t technically part of that staff. 

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Long story short, Busch landed a gig as a Nebraska graduate assistant under Tom Osborne and eventually kept climbing the coaching ladder elsewhere. In 2004, he was hired by Callahan. Now, Frost. In order to work a third stint at NU, Busch turned down an offer to be a co-defensive coordinator at Boise State. Bottom line, he wants to be in Lincoln. His wife, Laura, has been a realtor here for years even as he worked elsewhere. His parents live in Creighton (population 1,154) in Knox County. This is home. Home is powerful. 

Getting Nebraska on track is genuinely important to Busch. Truth be told, NU always has been important to him, dating to the days when he would drive on his own to away games and walk into the stadium with the full-time staff. Mind you, he wasn’t being paid. He was doing what he had to do to get his foot in the door. After all these years, his story just keeps getting better. What a story it would be if he helps get Frost’s program rolling. 

“You know how Bill is. He’s energetic. He’s funny. Which is important, right?” Rigoni said. “That sounds goofy to say. But when you’re grinding every day, 12 to 14 hours a day or more on a coaching staff, having somebody who brings that energy can be important. I think what probably has made him such an effective recruiter is he blends humor with the fact he’s truly a caring relationship builder. He’s kept in touch with me ever since I was done playing, just because he cared.

“My guess is he has 300 past players that he regularly communicates with. He gets it.”

Let’s be clear, though: Busch can coach. He’s not just a recruiter. Far from it. Ask former Nebraska cornerback Zack Bowman or safety Daniel Bullocks. Busch was the national defensive backs coach of the year in 2012 at Utah State. But one thing NU fans know by now is even the greatest coaches sometimes fade into the background if they find themselves with a roster short on talent. Ever hear of Bill Belichick? The New England Patriots slid to 7-9 this season because the roster lacked horses, including a certain quarterback.

LSU lost a ton of talent from its 2019 national championship team and slid to 5-5 in 2020. There was a staff shakeup and Busch became available for Frost. And, yes, a lot of former Huskers noticed the news Monday. That list includes Bowman, who retired from the NFL in 2015 and now lives in Omaha. 

Busch used to call Bowman every day at 5:30 a.m. when Bowman was a star junior college player at New Mexico Military Institute. 

“He wanted to make sure I was up early and wasn’t missing roll call,” Bowman said. “He stayed on me. He was very consistent. I thank him for that. I was in my second semester, and a lot of my friends had left town. I was kind of there by myself and had to finish the work.”  

Busch is diligent and aggressive as a recruiter. As a coach, he’s always organized and prepared, according to Bullocks, the safeties coach for the San Francisco 49ers.

“It’s also about the energy that he brings,” Bullocks said. “He’s one of the more energetic coaches I’ve been around. It’s always positive reinforcement, and you always know where he stands. He’s going to bring that energy every day. With some guys, they’re in a good mood one day and the next day they’re not. But with him, win or lose, he’s always bringing that energy.  

“Players feed off that. You can tell he loves coming to work every day.” 

William Shakespeare said “home” is one of the most powerful words known to man. Busch is home again. That alone can mean a lot. 

Illinois vs. Nebraska, 11.21

Illinois’ Alec McEachern (46) and Nebraska’s Niko Cooper (32) reach for a fumble on a kickoff return in the second quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Illinois vs. Nebraska, 11.21

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) throws an interception under pressure from Illinois’ Khalan Tolson (45) in the first quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Illinois vs. Nebraska, 11.21

Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) and Cam Taylor-Britt (5) walk off the field after the Huskers’ 41-23 loss to Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Illinois vs. Nebraska, 11.21

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey gets his helmet twisted around by Illinois’ Roderick Perry (96) in the second half Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Nebraska vs. Iowa, 11.27

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is lifted up by teammate Bryce Benhart after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Nebraska vs. Iowa, 11.27

Nebraska coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers onto the field to take on Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Nebraska vs. Iowa, 11.27

Nebraska cornerback Dicaprio Bootle (7) celebrates his second-quarter interception with teammate Cam Taylor-Britt against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. 

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Nebraska vs. Iowa, 11.27

Iowa’s Terry Roberts (22) dives on a fumbled punt return by Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt (5) in the fourth quarter Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Nebraska vs. Iowa, 11.27

Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras gets off a third-quarter pass as Nebraska’s Garrett Nelson (44) and Luke Reimer (28) pressure him Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Nebraska vs. Iowa, 11.27

Nebraska’s Wan’Dale Robinson rushes against Iowa’s Jack Campbell (31) in the second half Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Nebraska vs. Iowa, 11.27

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez reaches for the high snap in the first quarter against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Nebraska vs. Iowa, 11.27

Nebraska coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out to the field against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Nebraska vs. Iowa, 11.27

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws under pressure from Iowa’s Joe Evans (13) in the second quarter Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Nebraska vs. Iowa, 11.27

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez and the Husker offensive line push toward the goal line on Martinez’s 1-yard touchdown run against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Nebraska vs. Iowa, 11.27

Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with his players during a first-half timeout against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) gets pressured by Nebraska’s Ben Stille on a fourth-down play, throwing an incomplete pass to turn it over to the Huskers in the final moments of the game Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Luke McCaffrey (7) and Wan’Dale Robinson (1) celebrate after the Huskers’ win over Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford. Williams recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford before recovering the fumble and returning it for a touchdown in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Nebraska’s Collin Miller (31) celebrates after Ben Stille (right) tackled Penn State quarterback Will Levis (left) to give the Huskers the ball on downs in the fourth quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Nebraska’s Ben Stille (95) and Ty Robinson walk off the field after the Huskers’ 30-23 win over Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. 

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Nebraska kicker Connor Culp sends a ball through the uprights for a fourth-quarter field goal against Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Nebraska’s Will Honas (3) tackles Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth (87) in the fourth quarter on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost instructs the team during a timeout on Nov. 14, 2020, against Penn State at Memorial Stadium. 

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) gets the snap from center Cameron Jurgens (51) as running back Ronald Thompkins (25) and Ethan Piper look to block against Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt (5) runs back a punt as he avoids the tackle of Penn State’s Daequan Hardy in the first half Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. Williams recovered the fumble and scored.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Minnesota vs. Nebraska, 12.12

Nebraska’s Noa Pola-Gates (facing) hugs senior Marquel Dismuke (9) after the Huskers’ 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Minnesota vs. Nebraska, 12.12

Nebraska senior Dicaprio Bootle (7) hugs fellow senior Marquel Dismuke (left) as JoJo Domann looks on after the Huskers’ 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Minnesota vs. Nebraska, 12.12

A third-quarter pass from Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is batted by Minnesota’s Rashad Cheney on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Minnesota vs. Nebraska, 12.12

Protected by the offensive line, Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) has the time to throw in the second quarter against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Husker fan cutouts fill the North Stadium stands before the team takes on Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out onto a nearly empty stadium before taking on Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt (left) defends a pass intended for Penn State’s Jahan Dotson in the fourth quarter on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Nebraska’s Collin Miller (31) celebrates after Ben Stille (95) tackled Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Penn State vs. Nebraska, 11.14

Nebraska fan cutouts are a backdrop for  the consecutive sellout sign on Saturday at Memorial Stadium during a Nov. 14, 2020, game against Penn State.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Illinois vs. Nebraska, 11.21

Nebraska safety Myles Farmer (left) is flagged for a facemask call against Illinois’ Donny Navarro (86) in the third quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Illinois vs. Nebraska, 11.21

A worker waits to release balloons after the first Nebraska touchdown against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. 

GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo

Illinois vs. Nebraska, 11.21

Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with junior quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) on the sideline in the third quarter against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Minnesota vs. Nebraska, 12.12

A security guard watches the field among snow-covered cardboard cutouts before a Nebraska-Minnesota football game on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo

Minnesota vs. Nebraska, 12.12

Nebraska family members look for their seats before the Huskers host Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo

Minnesota vs. Nebraska, 12.12

Nebraska tight end Austin Allen (second right) celebrates his second-quarter TD with teammates against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Minnesota vs. Nebraska, 12.12

Nebraska’s Austin Allen celebrates his first quarter touchdown catch with Brenden Jaimes and Ethan Piper against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo

Minnesota vs. Nebraska, 12.12

Nebraska coach Scott Frost sends quarterback Adrian Martinez back into the game against Minnesota in the second quarter Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo

Minnesota vs. Nebraska, 12.12

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost greets Huskers captain Matt Farniok (71) during Senior Day festivities before the Minnesota game Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.

FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo

Minnesota vs. Nebraska, 12.12

Scott Frost and the Huskers run onto the field before a Dec. 12 game against Minnesota at Memorial Stadium.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo

Reach the writer at 402-473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com. On Twitter @HuskerExtraSip.

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