Report: TCU hires former Nebraska assistant Bob Wager

According to 247Sports’ Matt Zentiz, TCU has hired Bob Wager to a high school relations role. Wager is a long-time high school coach in the state but left to accept a role on Matt Rhule‘s staff in Nebraska. Now, the Horned Frogs have brought him back to the Lone Star State.

“TCU has hired former Nebraska assistant and longtime Texas high school head coach Bob Wager in a high school relations role, sources tell @247sports,” Zenitz said via X. “Before taking the job at Nebraska, Wager was a high school head coach in Texas for 26 years and coached players like Myles Garrett.”

Nebraska hired Wager to be the program’s tight end coach, taking him away from Arlington Martin High School. However, his stint in Lincoln was short resigning after being charged with multiple driving citations, one of which was a DUI.

Following his departure, Rhule wished Wager the best and challenged him to respond in the right way.

“Really grateful for him for the time he spent here,” Rhule said back in July 2023. “Unfortunate situation, I know he took responsibility for it. I appreciate him doing that. Not a lot of men would handle it the way he did. I don’t judge people by their tough moments or worst moments.

“I judge them on how they respond. I really appreciate him and I’m thankful for him. It was a short time but he brought some recruits here, he brought some of his kids here. So, I appreciate him and wish him and his family the best. He’s a great coach, I know he’ll do great things.”

Arlington Martin is one of the top programs in the state of Texas, continually sending players to play Division I football. None bigger than current NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett. Wager led the program for 17 seasons.

Rhule hired Wager in order to have deep roots in Texas, an area both coaches are quite familiar with. Two Arlington Martin prospects signed with Nebraska in the 2023 recruiting class, tight end Ismael Smith Flores and wide receiver Jeremiah Charles. Both remain in the program despite Wager leaving.

TCU already knows the high school scene quite well in the local area. But adding somebody like Wager just gives them another connection in the recruiting world. A solid hire for head coach Sonny Dykes as the Big 12 enters a new era.