Five things we learned from Mickey Joseph's introductory press conference

Mickey Joseph met with local media for the first time as Nebraska’s new interim head coach on Tuesday. Here are five of our biggest takeaways from what he had to say…

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Now in charge, Mickey Joseph explains changes to program

When Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts formally announced Mickey Joseph as the Huskers’ new interim head coach on Sunday, he hinted that Joseph would be making notable changes within the program.

During his debut press conference, Joseph expanded on what some of those new wrinkles would be. 

With him now leading the program for at least the next nine games, offensive analyst Mike Cassano will take over as NU’s new full-time receivers coach for the remainder of the season. 

Cassano spent the past seven years working under Scott Frost at UCF and Nebraska, including the last four as an offensive analyst. Before that, Cassano was the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach on a UMass that ranked 11th nationally in passing in 2015.

On defense, Joseph said defensive coordinator Erik Chinander would spend more one-on-one time with the safeties while secondary coach Travis Fisher would work more with the cornerbacks and nickels.

Regarding NU’s daily operations, Joseph said Monday would be the team’s new off-day during the season. The players would report for meetings and a walk-through on Sunday, take Monday off, and then return for two physical practices on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The players have handled the changes ‘like champs’

Joseph admitted that when he woke up on Sunday morning, he did not expect to be speaking as Nebraska’s new interim head coach on Tuesday. 

The whirlwind that has been the past few days has felt “a little weird” for Joseph at first, but he quickly put his nerves aside and focused on how the players were handling the transition.

“My message to the team was: ‘I know you’re hurting. Frost was like a brother to me, and he gave me an opportunity to come here and coach at my alma mater, to coach at the University of Nebraska. I will always love him and always appreciate him…’” Joseph said.

“I know they were hurting, but at the end of the day, that ball is going to kick off on Saturday, so mentally, we had to get them back and get them ready.”

Joseph said the Huskers returned from Monday’s day off with an inspired practice on Tuesday morning. He said that reflected how the Huskers had handled a difficult situation as well as he could have hoped.

“Like champs,” Joseph said. “The guy that recruited them and sat in their living rooms is no longer there. I’m sure we’ve all been in that situation before, so understand how you would feel. But they also understand that they play for the University of Nebraska, and it’s time to move on, and it’s time to get ready for OU on Saturday.”

Joseph not focused on being first black head coach at Nebraska

A lot was made over the past couple of days about Joseph becoming the first African-American head coach at Nebraska – not just for football, but any sport.

As much attention that might have garnered outside of the program, Joseph said he hadn’t thought about the fact since taking over the program.

“It’s about Nebraska football,” Joseph said. “It’s bigger than me. I haven’t really thought about that because I’ve been a football coach – a black football coach – my whole life. I haven’t thought about that. I’m more concerned about the boys and getting the boys ready to play on Saturday. It’s bigger than me.”

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No updates on Vokolek, Henrich

As he tries to regroup Nebraska in time for Saturday’s nationally televised showdown with No. 6 Oklahoma, Joseph would undoubtedly benefit from having two team captains back on the field.

Tight end Travis Vokolek (foot) and inside linebacker Nick Henrich (hand/wrist) have missed the past two games with injuries they suffered in NU’s Week 0 loss to Northwestern.

Asked if either player would be ready to return to the lineup this week, Joseph would only say that Vokolek and Henrich were both “day-to-day.”

Since Tuesday’s press conference was the only media availability until Saturday, both players will be considered game-time decisions.

Joseph confirms interest in becoming NU’s full-time head coach

It was no surprise, but Joseph made it official that his goal over the remaining nine games this season was to make his case to become Nebraska’s next full-time head coach.

Already one of the fan favorites on NU’s staff since arriving this offseason, Joseph knows he has an excellent opportunity to prove himself as the leader the Huskers need to rebuild their program.

But he’s also well-aware of how his success in his nine-game window as the interim will go a long way in determining his chances.

“When you accept the interim job as a head coach, I think that’s an opportunity that you’ve worked for is to become the head coach,” Joseph said. “But we understand what goes along with this profession – it’s wins and losses, and that’s what it’s going to depend on.”