Tom Osborne

Thomas William Osborne (born February 23, 1937) is a former American football player, coach, college athletics administrator, and politician from Nebraska. He served as the head football coach at the University of Nebraska football team for 25 years, from 1973 to 1997. Osborne was one of the most successful coaches in American college football history, with a career record of 255–49–3, 13 conference championships, and three national championships. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1999. Osborne was later elected U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 3rd congressional district, as a Republican. He served three terms, from 2001 to 2007. In 2007, he returned to the University of Nebraska as athletic director (AD). He retired as AD in January 2013.

Early life

Born and raised in Hastings, a small town in rural central Nebraska, Tom Osborne was a star athlete at Hastings High School in football and basketball, and won the state discus throw in track. As a senior in 1955, he was awarded the Nebraska High School Athlete of The Year by the Omaha World Herald. He then stayed in town to attend Hastings College, the same college his father and grandfather had attended. During his time at Hastings College, Osborne played football quarterback and basketball. He graduated with a B.A. in history in 1959, and was awarded the Nebraska College Athlete of the Year. He was the first male Nebraska athlete to win both the high school and college athlete of the year awards by the Omaha World Herald. Osborne was drafted into the National Football League (NFL) by the San Francisco 49ers, for whom he played one season as a wide receiver, before playing two seasons for the Washington Redskins.

Tom Osborne (Canadian politician)

Tom Osborne (born 1964), is a politician in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He represents the district of St. John's South in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. He is a member of the Liberal Party, a former member of the Progressive Conservative Party, and a former Minister in Danny Williams' first cabinet.

Politics

Opposition

Osborne was first elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly in the 1996 provincial election in the district of St. John's South. The election resulted in a landslide victory for Brian Tobin's Liberals and Osborne was one of only nine Progressive Conservative elected. Osborne was re-elected in the 1999 election and though the PC's had gained 5 seats the Liberals still won a large majority government.

In government

With the victory of the Progressive Conservatives in the 2003 election Premier Danny Williams appointed Osborne to Cabinet as the Minister responsible for Environment and Labour. On February 20, 2004 Government announced a restructuring of departments, which saw the creation of the new Department of Environment and Conservation, which Osborne remained minister of.