Nebraska’s leading rusher Anthony Grant suspended indefinitely

Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
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LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska opened spring practice with running back Anthony Grant suspended indefinitely to work on academics and other issues, first-year coach Matt Rhule announced.

Grant led the team in rushing with 915 yards and six touchdowns last season. He also caught 18 passes for 104 yards.

“Working on academics and general things. Nothing bad other than just our standards as a program,” Rhule said. “That will be day by day. Good kid. Just have to get him going in the right direction.”

Rhule said kick returner and reserve receiver Tommi Hill also is suspended. He did not specify a reason.

Backup tight ends Chris Hickman and James Carnie and reserve cornerback Tyreke Johnson have left the team.

Matt Rhule announces 3 hires to complete his 1st Nebraska staff

Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
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LINCOLN, Neb. — New Nebraska coach Matt Rhule has completed his staff with the additions of Bob Wager as tight ends coach, Rob Dvoracek as linebackers coach and Garret McGuire as wide receivers coach.

The hirings were announced just over six weeks after Rhule signed an eight-year, $74 million contract with the Cornhuskers.

Wager has been a Texas high school head football coach for more than 20 seasons, most recently at Arlington Martin. Among the NFL players he helped develop was Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, the No. 1 overall pick in 2017.

Dvoracek was on Rhule’s staff with the Carolina Panthers. He previously was as assistant at Lehigh and a defensive quality control coach for Rhule’s first two Baylor teams in 2017-18. Dvoracek played for Rhule at Temple in 2013.

McGuire was an offensive assistant on Rhule’s staff with the Panthers. He joined the team after his playing career at Baylor. McGuire’s father, Joey, is the head coach at Texas Tech.

Joseph, facing felony assault charge, no longer with Huskers

Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
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LINCOLN, Neb. – Mickey Joseph, Nebraska’s interim football coach for nine games this season who was charged with felony assault, is no longer part of the Cornhuskers’ program, the athletic department announced Friday.

The department said in a statement it would have no additional comment.

Joseph is accused of putting his hands around a woman’s throat, pulling her hair and punching her during a domestic dispute Nov. 30, according to a police affidavit. He was charged on Dec. 1 with assault by strangulation or suffocation.

Joseph was placed on administrative leave after his arrest. He denied to police that he assaulted the woman. His next court appearance is Jan. 30.

Joseph’s arrest came two days after Matt Rhule was introduced as the new head coach.

It was unclear whether Joseph received severance pay. He was under contract through Dec. 31, 2023, and his annual salary was listed at $600,000.

Under terms of the contract, he could be fired for cause if convicted of a misdemeanor or felony that impaired his ability to perform duties on behalf of the university. If a firing for cause is upheld, the university would not have to pay the remaining money owed on the contract.