In a bid to honor one of Nebraska’s most cherished figures, Gov. Jim Pillen is pushing for a legislative amendment that would pave the way for a significant addition to the Nebraska Hall of Fame.
Senator Dan Lonowski has introduced Legislative Bill 1159, aiming to modify the existing nomination framework for the Hall of Fame. Currently, the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission is restricted to inducting only one individual every five years, a process that involves extensive nomination, review, and public hearings over the span of those five years. Additionally, only individuals who have been deceased for a minimum of 35 years are eligible for consideration.
Under the proposed LB 1159, the law would be revised to permit the commission to nominate one living person by January 1, 2027.
The intention behind the bill, as articulated by Pillen, is to nominate former Nebraska Football coach Tom Osborne for this honor.
“It is no secret that this legislation would place Coach Tom Osborne permanently in the halls of the Nebraska Capitol,” Pillen stated in a news release. “Our state is indebted to coach and all the great things he has accomplished during his lifetime. It is time we recognize him appropriately and I’m very pleased that an overwhelming majority of the Legislature agrees and that a bi-partisan group is co-sponsoring this truly wonderful, unifying bill.”
Tom Osborne, now 88, has deep roots in Nebraska. He excelled in multiple sports at Hastings College, including football, baseball, and track. Following a brief stint in the NFL, Osborne joined Bob Devaney at Nebraska as an unpaid assistant, later becoming the offensive coordinator in 1969. He ascended to the role of head coach in 1973 after Devaney’s retirement.
During his 25-year tenure as head coach, Osborne guided Nebraska to 255 victories and clinched three national championships. Gov. Pillen himself played under Osborne from 1975 to 1978.
Beyond his coaching legacy, Osborne represented Nebraska’s 3rd District in Congress from 2001 to 2007. He returned to the University of Nebraska, serving as athletic director from 2010 to 2013. Together with his wife, Nancy, he founded the TeamMates mentoring program, further cementing his impact on the community.
