Nebraska’s plan for gameday coaching assignments; players out for UTEP game

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said he expects offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield and receivers coach Garret McGuire to work from the coaching press box in Saturday’s game, while senior assistant Jamar Mozee remains on the field with the receivers.

Special teams coordinator Ed Foley will be on the field, as will most of the NU position coaches on defense, including coordinator Tony White.

“We have the ability now, right after a drive, to go look at an iPad,” Rhule said. “We don’t need quite as many experienced guys, at least on defense, up top. We want more guys down on the field.”

The Huskers get a total of 18 iPads that they can use between the field and coaching box and 23 headsets.

Because UTEP runs a fast-tempo offense, Rhule said, managing substitutions will be a priority for defensive assistants.

Rhule didn’t hesitate on Monday to say his defense could rotate 10 defensive linemen, four inside linebackers and three Jack linebackers, who play a hybrid defensive line/linebacker role.

But NU continues to challenge some of its younger players in the defensive backfield.

“If you’re here on scholarship and you’re a DB and you’re not starting on special teams, you really have to look at yourself and say ‘Why?’” Rhule said bluntly toward the end of Monday’s press conference. “… We’ve really challenged them.”

Offensive linemen Gunnar Gottula (ankle) and Henry Lutovsky are likely a week away from playing.

The same is true for corner Blye Hill, still recovering from a knee injury. Hill appeared on the season-opening depth chart.

Good tackling figures prominently, Rhule said, in a season opener.