Cozad tabs former Husker great, NFL player as head football coach

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COZAD, Neb. — A former Husker great and NFL player is now set to lead his high school alma mater as head football coach.

Cozad announced Jared Crick as the school’s new coach on Monday. He replaces Jayce Dueland, who stepped down last month after four years to take a different position at Lexington Public Schools.

Crick started four three seasons as a defensive tackle for the Huskers. He earned All-American honors as a junior and started his senior season strong in 2011 before suffering a season-ending injury. He was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2024.

"I am proud and humbled to be announced as the Head Football Coach of my Alma Mater, to which I owe a great deal of credit and appreciation to the many that have come before me," Crick said. "Great people, who've shaped my life, resulting in the responsibility I now have before me as the leader of this program.”

The Cozad native went on to play six season in the NFL for the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos. He now works as an account executive at Farm Bureau Financial Services.

“We thank Coach Dueland for all of his hard work and commitment to Cozad Football, and we hope to take advantage of the winning environment he has helped create," Crick said. "Most importantly, we look forward to our opportunity to carry on the longstanding tradition of Cozad to build and encourage our students into becoming upstanding young adults through athletics. And finally, we hope to represent the community in a way that reflects the work ethic and morals of Cozad, Nebraska. Go Makers!”