Craig Returns: In a move lauded by fans and analysts alike, former Nebraska Cornhuskers football standout and Super Bowl champion (XXIV) Roger Craig has accepted a newly created position within Nebraska University’s football program. Craig, former NFL analyst, will serve as…
In a development that has electrified Lincoln and reignited memories of Nebraska’s golden football era, Roger Craig is officially returning to the Cornhuskers program. The former standout running back and four-time Super Bowl champion has accepted a new role as “Director of Player Performance and Alumni Development,” a hybrid position designed to bridge the gap between the university’s football history and its modern ambitions under head coach Matt Rhule. Fans and alumni are calling it one of the most inspiring moves of the year for Nebraska athletics.
Craig, who starred for Nebraska from 1979 to 1982, became one of the most versatile offensive weapons in college football history before carrying that success to the NFL. His return to Lincoln symbolizes more than nostalgia—it’s a strategic move by Rhule to infuse championship mentality and veteran leadership into a young team still finding its rhythm in the Big Ten. The 2025 Cornhuskers are in a rebuilding phase, and Craig’s arrival couldn’t have come at a better time.
According to the university’s announcement, Craig’s duties will include mentoring running backs, guiding strength and conditioning strategies, and serving as a liaison between the athletic department and former Huskers now playing professionally. The idea, insiders say, is to create a culture that celebrates Nebraska’s proud legacy while adapting to the changing dynamics of college football, including NIL opportunities and the transfer portal. Rhule reportedly played a major role in creating this new position specifically with Craig in mind.
Craig’s influence has already begun to ripple through the program. Several players, including sophomore running back Trevin Clark and captain linebacker Mason Turner, have spoken about the energy and enthusiasm Craig brings to practice. Though not an official coach, his presence on the sideline has been described as “magnetic.” He often joins team drills, offers quiet advice during position meetings, and holds informal sessions on what it means to prepare like a professional athlete. It’s clear his leadership transcends titles.
Beyond the field, Craig is expected to lead a new initiative connecting Nebraska football alumni with current student-athletes through mentorship and career guidance. The program will launch in early 2026 and aims to strengthen the sense of community that once defined Husker football in its championship years. University officials believe Craig’s charisma and deep ties to the NFL will make him an invaluable asset in building relationships that extend far beyond the stadium.
Fans have greeted Craig’s return with an outpouring of excitement. Memorial Stadium has already begun planning a pregame tribute to celebrate his career and welcome him home. For many Nebraskans, Craig represents more than just football excellence—he embodies the grit, humility, and determination that defined the Cornhuskers’ greatest decades. His return is viewed as both symbolic and strategic, signaling that Nebraska intends to restore its place among the nation’s elite programs.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how this reunion shapes the team’s identity. For a program steeped in tradition yet eager to redefine itself in a new era of college athletics, Roger Craig’s homecoming may prove to be the perfect fusion of past glory and future promise. Nebraska fans are hopeful that his impact will go far beyond inspiration—perhaps, just maybe, leading to a long-awaited championship revival in Lincoln.
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