Whipple joins Huskers as coordinator day after leaving Pitt

Updated Dec. 8, 2021 11:54 a.m. ET

Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Mark Whipple was named Nebraska's offensive coordinator on Wednesday, a day after

Cornhuskers coach Scott Frost also announced the hiring of Chicago Bears assistant Donovan Raiola as offensive line coach.

Frost is making over his offensive staff following a 3-9 season, the Huskers' worst since 1957. Former Nebraska quarterback Mickey Joseph was hired as receivers coach last week after serving in the same position at LSU. Frost is yet to name a new running backs coach.

Whipple, 64, also will coach Nebraska's quarterbacks. His Pitt offense averaged 43 points, 350 yards passing and 503 total yards per game this season as the Panthers won the Atlantic Coast Conference championship.

Whipple coached two of the top offensive players in the country this year in Heisman Trophy finalist Kenny Pickett and Jordan Addison. Pickett threw for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns and Addison caught a nation-leading 17 touchdown passes.

“The opportunity to coach at a school with the history and tradition of Nebraska is special,” Whipple said. “Coach Frost has a great offensive mind, and I look forward to working together with him and our staff to best position our players for success. I can’t wait to get to Lincoln and represent Husker football.”

Whipple was head coach at Massachusetts from 2014-18, and his resume also includes NFL stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles.

Raiola, 38, is the younger brother of former Nebraska All-America center Dominic Raiola.

Donovan Raiola has been the Bears' assistant offensive line coach for four seasons. He previously was a graduate assistant at Notre Dame and an offensive intern at Hawaii.

Raiola started 39 games at center for Wisconsin from 2003 to 2005 and spent parts of five seasons in the NFL with six teams.

“I am humbled to lead the offensive line at the University of Nebraska,” Raiola said. “I understand the responsibility of coaching the ‘Pipeline’ and the history of offensive line excellence at Nebraska. We will work tirelessly to add to that tradition.”

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