Former Husker Coach/Player and current UNLV offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Barney Cotton will not coach the upcoming season due to health reasons, UNLV announced.
According to the university’s press release, the former Nebraska great is stepping down from his position after learning that he needs a heart transplant. He’s currently at his home in Omaha while on the waiting list to receive one.
“Barney has unfortunately been forced to be away from football and his Rebel family and we are all keeping him in our thoughts and prayers,” UNLV head coach Tony Sanchez said. “He is a tremendous coach, teacher, person and a great friend.”
Cotton has served as the Rebels’ offensive coordinator and tight ends coach since the 2015 season. Prior to joining the UNLV staff, he was a Husker assistant from 2008-14, including a brief stint as the Huskers interim head coach to close out the 2014 season. He was also an offensive line coach at NU in 2003.
After growing up in Omaha and attending Burke High School, Cotton played at Nebraska under legendary head coach Tom Osborne from 1975-78, garnering All-Big Eight honors as a senior. He was selected in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, where he played for one season before joining the St. Louis Cardinals for three seasons, but a knee injury forced him into an early retirement from the NFL.
Cotton also has three sons who all played at Nebraska. Ben Cotton (2009-12) and Sam Cotton (2013-16) both played tight end for the Cornhuskers, while Jake Cotton (2010-14) played on the offensive line.
