Tag: Nebraska Football Hall of Fame

Husker alumni Monte Kiffin honored at Pro Football Hall of Fame

Monte Kiffin, father of Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, received the Hall of Fame’s Award of Excellence for his career as a defensive coordinator in the NFL.

A long-time football coach and Husker alum earned a reward from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in late June. Monte Kiffin, father of Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, received the Hall of Fame’s Award of Excellence for his career as a defensive coordinator in the NFL.

Kiffin coached in the NFL from 1983 to 2016, making numerous stops across the league. He is known for his main tenure as defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers between 1996 and 2008.

There, he helped lead the Buccaneers to become a threatening defense that allowed the fewest points per game (17.5) while ranking second in both yards allowed per game (286.8) and total takeaways (293) during his reign.

He helped architect the iconic “Tampa 2” defense that revolutionized the NFL. This defense culminated in the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl XXXVII win, which saw three Tampa Bay pick-sixes. Kiffin’s time with the Buccaneers helped him become a member of Tampa Bay’s Ring of Honor.

Kiffin also coached as the defensive coordinator for Nebraska from 1969 to 1976, helping the Huskers to the 1970 and 1971 national championships. He also played for Nebraska from 1959 to 1963 as a defensive and offensive lineman.

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Ndamukong Suh named to 2024 Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame class

The Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame announced the inductees for its 2024 class on Thursday afternoon.

The Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame announced the inductees for its 2024 class on Thursday afternoon. Leading the group is star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

Suh earns his induction following 13 seasons on the professional level. He started his career with the Detroit Lions as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He won the 2010 NFL Rookie of the Year and was a five-time Pro Bowl selection in his career.

Suh played 199 games and delivered 600 total tackles, 71.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and one interception. Suh also won Super Bowl 55 with the Buccaneers, leading Tampa Bay to its first championship since 2002.

At Nebraska, Suh holds the distinction of being the only defensive player to be named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year. He won the award as a senior in 2009 when he was also a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Suh also won the Outland Trophy, the Lombardi Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2009. He also earned first-team All-American and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Suh totaled 215 tackles in his career at Nebraska, with 57 tackles for loss and 24 sacks. He ranks second all-time at Nebraska in tackles for loss and fourth in sacks. In his senior season, Suh led Nebraska with 85 tackles, along with 24 TFLs, 12 sacks, 10 pass breakups, and three blocked kicks.

Suh’s No. 93 jersey is retired at Nebraska, and he is a member of the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame. Suh joins the class alongside other stellar alumni, including Jordan Hooper, Carl Myerscough, Virginia Stahr, Mary Weatherholt, and Emily Wong.

 

Former punter named to Nebraska Football Hall of Fame.

A former Nebraska punter was named to the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame earlier this week.

A former Nebraska punter was named to the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame earlier this week. Sam Koch punted for Nebraska from 2002-2005.

He would take over as Nebraska’s starting punter for the 2004 and 2005 seasons. The 2005 season would see the York, Nebraska native set the record for the Nebraska single-season punting average at 46.51 yards per punt.

He would set the record that season for the second-longest punt in school history at 84 yards. Koch is also second in career punting average at 44.04 yards per punt.

Following his collegiate career, he would be selected in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He would spend 16 seasons in the NFL, all with Baltimore, and would win Super Bowl XLVII.

Koch’s son, Kamdyn, committed to Nebraska back in June. Find a gallery of Sam Koch’s playing career below.