We’ll soon find out if Dana Holgorsen is actually a quarterback whisperer.

Holgorsen, who was fired as Houston’s head coach last November, has reportedly been hired as an offensive consultant at Nebraska. After a hot start to the season, the Cornhuskers have lost three games in a row and are in an offensive slump.

Nebraska’s freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola has struggled in the last four games, throwing one touchdown pass and six interceptions. Holgorsen, who learned the Air Raid offense from Hal Mumme and Mike Leach, has a track record of developing NFL-caliber quarterbacks, from Case Keenum to Geno Smith to Will Grier.

Raiola was a top 10 national recruit in 2024 and has as much arm talent as any college quarterback in the country. Raiola and the Cornhuskers have a bye this week, giving Holgorsen more time to work with him before their Nov. 16 game at USC. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Holgorsen will work with the offensive staff in a role that will evolve as the season progresses.

Holgorsen came to Houston in 2019 after eight very successful seasons as head coach at West Virginia (61-41 record). However, he was unable to repeat this success with the Cougars. He went 31-28 in five seasons, including three losing seasons. After going 4-8 in Houston’s first season in the Big 12 in 2023, Holgorsen was fired.

Houston owes Holgorsen $14.8 million in buyout money. It’s unclear whether his job at Nebraska will reduce the amount Houston has to pay him.

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