Football: Rested NU coach set for ‘full-go'

John Papuchis appeared fresh and rested Friday night, even for a Nebraska assistant coach with a baby on the way and preseason football practice starting in two weeks.

For that, Papuchis thanks NU head coach Bo Pelini.

“One of the great things about Coach Pelini is that he gives us the freedom in the summer to have some time with our families,'' Papuchis said. “He's a family guy. I have a young daughter and one coming (a son due in mid-August), so it gives me some time to kind of catch up and get reacquainted with the family, and kind of recharge the batteries.

“Because once the season starts, it's full-go from Aug. 1 until after the bowl game, and really until after recruiting.''

Papuchis found time Friday to throw on a Husker polo and speak at a fundraiser for the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Omaha. Papuchis is of Greek heritage and said he appreciated the Greek community in both Omaha and Lincoln reaching out to his family when he followed Pelini from LSU to NU.

About 225 people listened as Papuchis gave an overview of the 2009 Huskers, spoke of the staff's philosophy and answered questions.

In an interview beforehand, he said don't confuse some time off with the defensive staff letting its guard down after taking the Huskers from No. 12 to No. 2 in total defense in the Big 12.

“We continue to review and analyze what we felt like we did well and liked about the previous year, and things that maybe we'd like to change,'' Papuchis said. “It's a constant evaluation process of our own defense.

“Part of that is talking to other people and learning what other people are doing. And a lot of it is just a lot of self-analyzation, trying to figure out what we want to do and what the strengths of our players are.''

Before the longer days come, the summer also includes keeping in touch with Husker players, although the NU coaching staff can't be involved with the conditioning program. In or out of the office, most days for Papuchis also include working on recruiting and some special teams stuff.

Papuchis and defensive coordinator Carl Pelini will oversee an NU defensive line that lost Zach Potter and Ty Steinkuhler but returns nose tackle Ndamukong Suh, who Friday was named Big 12 preseason defensive player of the year.

Papuchis said he feels good about Pierre Allen and Barry Turner at defensive end, even after Turner missed nearly all of last season with a broken bone in his left leg. Turner was granted a medical redshirt and returned by spring practice.

“From the first day to the spring game, he showed improvement all along the way,'' Papuchis said. “And not just physically but with the confidence to play on that leg. He really, really started to become the old Barry.''

Papuchis said reports from the strength and conditioning staff have been that Turner has maintained that momentum.

“He's making himself right,'' Papuchis said, “and he's ready to go.''

Even though Papuchis' expertise is with the defensive side, the second-year assistant even went over the Husker offense position-by-position for the crowd.

“One of the things about us Greeks, we tend to know everything,'' he joked.

Contact the writer:

444-1042, rich.kaipust@owh.com

« Big Red

Share