Nebraska Football: Program needs to add Carlos Polk to coaching staff
![9 Sep 2000: A close up of Carlos Polk #13 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers watching the action during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The Cornhuskers defeated the Fighting Irish 27-24 Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport 9 Sep 2000: A close up of Carlos Polk #13 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers watching the action during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The Cornhuskers defeated the Fighting Irish 27-24 Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/394b0815b49742a16e463cf7e2cdd04207410345c9572ec1a66802138b4259be.jpg)
Nebraska Football would be wise to try and get him to Lincoln.
As Nebraska Football begins its search for a new linebackers coach, I have heard a name floating around that would make sense. Carlos Polk would be more than welcome in Lincoln to take over the position.
Polk was a member of the Nebraska Football program for four seasons. He was part of the team that won the 1997 national championship. He really broke onto the scene as a junior. A linebacker, he recorded 83 tackles and 6.5 sacks. In addition, he recorded 21 quarterback hurries. His senior year was even more impressive. He totaled 90 tackles in addition to 13 quarterback hurries. It seemed like getting after the quarterback was his specialty. He finished his time in Lincoln with 227 tackles, 32 tackles for a loss, and 10 sacks.
For his efforts, he received several accolades. He made the All-Big 12 first-team in 1999 and 2000. He was also an All-American in 2000. He went on to have a very productive career in the National Football League. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft, he spent seven seasons with the San Diego Chargers and one season with the Dallas Cowboys. He retired from football in 2008.
From there, he was an assistant special teams coach with the San Diego Chargers from 2009-2012. Finding a home with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2014-2018, he took the job of assistant special teams coach with the Dallas Cowboys on February 1, 2019.
He would certainly be a logical choice to take over the position. He embodies what being a Blackshirt is all about. He was tough as a player, and he would undoubtedly bring that same toughness as a coach. Perhaps one of the more underrated things is the fact that he coached in the National Football League recently. He knows what it takes to be successful at the next level, and he could implement some things he’s learned from his time in the big show.
If he is available, I would scoop him up right away. He checks all the boxes for Nebraska Football, and he would be a nice get as Nebraska continues its search for a linebackers coach. You are not going to find a linebackers coach with as much qualification as Polk. I would seriously consider bringing him back home, and making him a sweet offer package in an effort to get him on the staff.