Elliott stepping down, Booker new NU safeties coach

A major shakeup to Nebraska’s football coaching staff was announced on Tuesday afternoon, as head coach Mike Riley confirmed that safeties coach Bob Elliott would be stepping down to a defensive analyst role for the 2017 season due to personal reasons.

Riley also announced that NU’s most recent staff addition, special teams consultant Scott Booker, would take over as safeties coach and would also assume the role of special teams coordinator.

“We are sorry to see Bob Elliott leave our full-time on-field staff,” Riley said in a statement. “Bob is a wonderful man and a great football coach and he has built a great rapport with our staff and the players in our program. We respect Bob’s decision and we are confident that he will continue to have a positive impact on our program.”

Elliott brought 38 years of coaching experience when he was hired by the Huskers this offseason.

He will now be replaced by Booker, who has 14 years of experience as a full-time FBS coach, half of which serving on Notre Dame’s coaching staff from 2010-14.

“It’s an unusual time to make a coaching hire,” Riley said. “But we are fortunate that Scott worked with our staff this past spring and brings great experience and energy to our program. We are confident that he will add to our program as a coach, teacher and recruiter.”

While he may not have the same experience as Elliott, Booker does bring some continuity to the staff, as he worked under NU defensive coordinator Bob Diaco at Notre Dame.

“The opportunity to be a part of a prestigious program at the University of Nebraska is something that few coaches have the chance to do in their career,” Booker said in the statement.

“This is a special place with tremendous people and a great leader in Coach Riley. I couldn’t be more excited for the 2017 season and the chance to work with the young men in this program.”