Following the passing of Greg Sharpe earlier this year, the Nebraska football program is reluctantly moving forward with a search for his replacement this fall. It appears the program is close to finding that person who will be calling games as the "Voice of the Huskers" this fall.
Speaking to the Omaha World-Herald, Athletic Director Troy Dannen said he expects the process to wrap up by the end of this month. That search is almost over, which is impressive considering Dannen noted more than 300 applicants for Sharpe's old job.
Nebraska football nears decision on new Voice of the Huskers after extensive search
Dannen also pointed out that the hire would not be his call. The new voice of the Nebraska football program is chosen by Playfly Sports, the media company that heads the Husker Network. That's because this new play-by-play person will be an employee of Playfly and not the university.
However, it appears that NU will at least get some sort of say, as Dannen also claimed the hire will be someone who lives in Lincoln. This won't be a transplant who doesn't live and breathe Nebraska sports. Instead, the AD said it was very important for the new hire to be someone who is ingrained in the culture.
In other words, it will be a hire that matches the qualifications of Sharpe and the men who came before him.
"Someone has to be part of our community in order to do this," Dannen said. "When we have the Hall of Fame inductions, I envision this person introducing the Hall of farmers.
"(This hire) is more important here than it is almost anywhere else in the country," Dannen added. "The reach of the network, two hours a night, five nights a week of studio shows and interviews. Greg meant so much to so many people. This is the great thing of having a year with him: Understanding why he meant so much to so many people."
It appears Nebraska football fans will get to meet this new hire well before the season starts.