Shawn Watson had lots to say Friday at the Big Red Breakfast, none of it more interesting than comments about his current employer — and a former one.

Watson, Nebraska's offensive coordinator of three seasons, told an admiring crowd at the Holiday Inn convention center that he has no desire to leave Lincoln. The coach, who turns 50 this month, is considered one of the top coordinators nationally and figures to continue to get mention when head coaching jobs open.

“I couldn't leave you guys,” Watson said, inciting a burst of applause. “They couldn't pull me out of here.”

Watson removed himself from consideration for the offensive coordinator post at Alabama shortly after Bo Pelini was hired at NU in 2008. He is believed to have rebuffed other offers.

“I've got the best assistant coach's job in the country,” he said. “There's no place that I'd rather be than right here. A lot of that, as I've told you guys before, is because of you guys and how much you love our program and your respect (for the) work that we do.”

Asked to compare the environments at Nebraska and Colorado — for which he coached from 1999 to 2005 — Watson described it as “night and day.”

The coaching situation at Colorado has grown into a hot topic as Dan Hawkins struggles early in his fourth season.

“It's not even close,” Watson said. “The experience is real simple. Nebraska loves their team. Nebraska appreciates football. That's it. I mean, really, it's that simple. It's a passion. It's a love. It's not a convenience thing. There's a difference. There's a huge difference.”

Other topics addressed Friday by Watson:

ŸThe coach said he considers NU junior Zac Lee among the most talented quarterbacks he's coached.

Of his seven incompletions in 22 attempts last week in the Huskers' 49-3 win over Florida Atlantic, Watson considered only Lee's third-quarter interception as a poor throw. Four passes were dropped. Two others were thrown away.

Lee has challenged Watson as a coach, he said.

“I just have to go to practice with two bullwhips, because I've got to ride that guy,” he said. “Honest to God, I love him to death.”

ŸWatson said he would consider using true freshman QB Cody Green for a series with the outcome still up in the air.

“I'm not going to give it to him, because that's just the culture of our program,” Watson said. “What I hope would happen is that he could advance himself to that. But don't go running crazy with that, now. I'm telling you, he's got to earn it. And when he earns it, I will do something like that, just to get him time on the field.”

Watson said the backup job was not handed to Green — he won it from Latravis Washington. Midway through preseason camp, Watson said, Green separated himself by showing more consistency in practice.

“I was able to walk into the room and tell Zac, ‘Guess what?'” Watson said. “‘Today, starting today, actually it's been happening for the last week, but today I can tell you, you have competition.'”

ŸWatson offered praise for center Jacob Hickman and right guard Ricky Henry, a starter last week in his NU debut.

Of Hickman, Watson said: “He's absolutely one of my favorite all-time players. I would like to see who is the best center in this league. I think we have him. I know we do. I think he's a star. We couldn't live without him is what I'm saying.”

The coach said Henry continues to improve in pass protection.

“I personally think he's a great player waiting to happen,” Watson said of the Omaha Burke graduate, “and he's on his way to getting there. The run game, I don't know if there's a more tenacious blocker that I've coached.”

ŸLeft guard Keith Williams will play Saturday against Arkansas State after missing the first game with a shoulder injury. “We'll be smart in the way we play him,” Watson said, “just because we want him for the rest of the season.”

ŸTrue freshmen Dontrayevous Robinson at I-back and Jeremiah Sirles at tackle have received recent looks with the NU offense in practice. Both may still redshirt.

ŸJunior offensive tackle Jaivorio Burkes could return to the Huskers, but he still must “take care of some things off the field,” according to Watson.

“He's got to get well,” the coach said. “He's got a lot of things he's got to work on. He's got a lot of people that really care about him, trying to help him. He's a great kid. We'll just see where it all ends up.”

ŸFormer quarterback Joe Ganz may join the NU staff in an official role after the season. Ganz was standing near the Nebraska sideline during the opener. “We'll see,” Watson said. “He's got to decide that's what he really wants to do. I want him to do it. Bo wants him to do it. So I really believe it. He will be a really unbelievable coach. He'll be a great one.”

ŸThe numbers change regularly, but Watson said the Huskers are looking to sign one quarterback, one running back, four offensive linemen and two wide receivers for their 2010 recruiting class. The NU list of pledges includes one QB and two offensive linemen.

Contact the writer:

402-473-9587, mitch.sherman@owh.com

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