June 2, 2011

Erstad named head coach at Nebraska

Darin Erstad was hired as head coach at his alma mater, Nebraska.

Erstad was a volunteer assistant coach this past season under former head coach Mike Anderson.

A two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, Erstad played 14 seasons in the Major Leagues after being the No. 1 overall pick in the 1995 MLB Draft. He played for the Angels, White Sox and Astros, winning a World Series title with the Angels in 2002. Erstad retired after the 2009 campaign.

Erstad was a two-sport standout for the Cornhuskers. He was a first-team All-American and Big Eight Co-Player of the Year in 1995 as a junior, hitting .410 with 19 home runs and 76 RBI. Erstad was the starting punter for the Huskers’ 1994 national championship football team, helping Nebraska post a 13-0 mark.

Nebraska was 30-25 overall this past season and 9-17 in its final Big 12 campaign.  The Cornhuskers will compete in the Big Ten beginning next spring.