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 On second thought Ex-Cornhusker coach questions handling of Phillips
Posted: Tuesday June 22, 1999 11:26 AM
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Tom Osborne writes in his latest book that he may have made a mistake in his handling of troubled running back Lawrence Phillips in 1995. "Even today, I'm not sure I made the right decision in regard to Lawrence Phillips," the former Nebraska football coach says in "Faith In The Game." "He has done nothing to this point to indicate that he is willing to make changes after having been given another chance." Osborne, who retired in 1998 after 25 years as the Huskers' head coach, says in the book's introduction that writing it "provides a formal sense of closure to my experience as a football coach at the University of Nebraska." Osborne was in Oklahoma at a speaking engagement Monday and was unavailable for comment. In the book, published by New York-based Broadway Books, Osborne touches on some of the troubled players and difficult times he encountered during his tenure. Osborne, who retired as the nation's winningest active coach, experienced his share of turbulence at Nebraska, the Phillips case being among the most notorious. Osborne suspended Phillips for six weeks of the 1995 season after Phillips was arrested for assaulting his former girlfriend. Phillips pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and trespassing. Phillips, whose college and NFL careers have been marred by frequent run-ins with the law, is currently making an impressive comeback bid in NFL Europe. Osborne said drug use among his players was rare overall, but marijuana and alcohol use had to be dealt with more frequently. "I was proud we never had a player arrested for selling or using drugs," he writes. "We avoided any major drug scandal." Osborne also speaks of former Nebraska defensive lineman Christian Peter -- now a backup defensive tackle for the New York Giants. Peter is a recovering alcoholic who had run-ins with the law while at Nebraska. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL draft but was cut within days when the team took flak because of his off-the field problems. "He has been the object of more accusations and negative press than almost anyone I've known," Osborne writes. "He has refused to go public with his side of the story. I hope with time and effort, his reputation can be restored."
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