Nebraska Football: Mick Stoltenberg to pursue a new football career

IOWA CITY, IA - NOVEMBER 23: Iowa Hawkeyes running back Mekhi Sargent (10) runs out of bounds with the ball with Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive end Mick Stoltenberg (44) defending during a Big Ten Conference football game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 23, 2018, at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IA - NOVEMBER 23: Iowa Hawkeyes running back Mekhi Sargent (10) runs out of bounds with the ball with Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive end Mick Stoltenberg (44) defending during a Big Ten Conference football game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 23, 2018, at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Nebraska Football standout will move to the coaching ranks.

Mick Stoltenberg was once a star player for the Nebraska football program. Now, he plans to take that talent into the coaching ranks. Wednesday, the former defensive lineman announced that he was retiring from the game of football and will forgo training for a NFL opportunity. He will continue his football aspirations in the coaching ranks.

Stoltenberg had a successful 2018 season for the Cornhuskers, but as was the case for most of his career, it was marred by injuries. He battled chronic knee injuries throughout and being a lineman, that was not the easiest condition to deal with.

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He finished the season recording nine tackles, a sack, and an interception in seven games played. For his Nebraska career, Stoltenberg recorded 69 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 30 games played over a four-year span. His best campaign came in 2017. That year, he recorded 33 tackles in 11 games played.

A senior captain in 2018, he was a fan favorite and should do well in the coaching ranks. He was a tough ballplayer who never took a play off. He had a high motor and a nose for the football. Although injuries derailed him, there is no doubt that he will be missed on the field next season. Whoever steps up and fills the void left by his departure will have big shoes to fill.

Stoltenberg would make a very good coach. He is fundamentally sound and knows what it takes to win football games. He had a certain edge to him that made him stand out from the others on the field. He may not have always put up eye-popping statistics, but he did the little things right. Hopefully, he will bring those characteristics to the sideline. It will be interesting to see whether he chooses to coach at the college level. My guess is that he will find work in the collegiate ranks.

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Obviously, I would’ve liked to have seen Stoltenberg’s NFL dream work out. However, I certainly respect him deciding to hang up the cleats. I certainly hope he finds success in his new profession, and if his football career is any indication, he will. One thing is for certain: This is not the last time we’ll be hearing his name. As the old saying goes, when one door closes another opens. We will certainly be following his progress closely, and never forget all he contributed for Nebraska football. He certainly made Nebraska football games a lot more fun to watch.