Beyond the Final Score

Tom Osborne

Description

From the vast farmlands of Nebraska to the halls of Congress to the Green Zone in Iraq, Tom Osborne has become a legend by serving those around him and by always putting his God first. Perhaps no college football program in history has seen as much success as Osborne's did under his watch (255 wins in 25 seasons). But there is much more to Tom Osborne. Beyond the Final Score chronicles his years as a congressman, educator, family man, mentor, and now athletic director. It reveals the character, values, and faith that have grounded him throughout his incredible journey. Like a good memoir, Beyond the Final Score goes right to the heart of a true American legend. It takes the reader on a walk trough surprising moments (such as the day he began training Iraqi women on how to change their nation), profound insights (there is more prayer in Washington than one might think), and many less-than-serious moments (such as the day he thought he was going to teach his wife how to fish). A rare book in which an American legend brings wisdom, sensibility, dignity, and spirituality to culture, worldview, politics, leadership, and what really matters in everyday life.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• History of religions

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 14 août 2009
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781441266705
• Langue: English

Extrait

PRAISE FOR
BEYOND THE FINAL SCORE
As a faithful FCA teammate for more than 50 years, Coach Osborne has traveled across the country challenging thousands of coaches and athletes to realize there is more to life than winning ball games. Beyond the Final Score is a must-read for all ages, especially if you want to get fired up about making a difference in the world.
DAN BRITTON
Senior Vice President of Ministry Advancement, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
I met Tom Osborne for the first time in 1980 when Florida State flew into Lincoln, Nebraska, to play the Cornhuskers. I was in the Seminole locker room, and there was a knock on our door. I opened it, and there stood Tom Osborne. We shook hands and Tom said, “Is everything okay? Do you need anything?” I had never had an opposing football coach come by before a game to see if we were okay. Never had one since, either … but this is Tom Osborne. If you are an aspiring young coach and want a role model to follow, be sure to read Beyond the Final Score. Tom did it the right way, and though he suffered some along the way, he always finished on top. What makes a man great is his ability to recover and fight back, and this book will show you how to do it.
BOBBY BOWDEN
Head Football Coach, Florida State University
When most people think of Tom Osborne, they think of a great football coach. When I think of Tom Osborne, I think of a man of character who quietly but effectively improves the lives of everyone he encounters.
WARREN BUFFETT
Investor, Businessman and Philanthropist
Celebrity is only important in how you use it—whether you use it to help people or not. Tom did that. He could have endorsed a football shoe or something and made more money, but he chose to do something with his celebrity that would make a difference in the lives of people.
ERIN DUNCAN
Legislative Director for Congressman Tom Osborne
Beyond the Final Score reveals Tom Osborne’s key not only to success but also to one’s satisfaction with the “final score.” I got to know Tom when I was Speaker of the House and Tom was elected as a congressman from Nebraska. He wasn’t the flamboyant person you might expect a nationally renowned coach to be. As a congressman, he had a quiet nature but was focused and very tough when it came to negotiating the things he saw as important to him and the folks in Nebraska. In this book, Tom lets us see how that man of solid values and vision came to be.
SPEAKER DENNIS HASTERT
Former U.S. Congressman and Speaker of the House
Tom Osborne’s character, consistency and integrity have always caused me to hold him in high esteem. He recruited me out of high school, and though I did not attend the University of Nebraska, I rooted for them from a distance solely on the basis of the respect I had for their leader. Not only did his players benefit from his example, but I did as well.
PASTOR NAPOLEON KAUFMAN
Former NFL Running Back
Senior Pastor, The Well Christian Community Church
Tom Osborne is an All-American hero in my book! His humility and commitment to serving others is what separates him from so many others. I’ve seen it demonstrated firsthand on the athletic field and in the U.S. Congress. His words still serve to inspire and motivate me!
STEVE LARGENT
Professional Athlete and Member of Congress
Victory without honor is an unseasoned dish. It might fill you up, but it won’t taste good. I have long admired how Tom Osborne has stood tall in so many arenas, winning with integrity, a humble spirit and honor.
JOE PATERNO
Head Football Coach, Pennsylvania State University
Football is such a great game. It teaches so much, and it is truly hard to just step away from it. For Tom Osborne and for myself, our relationship with the players was the best part of coaching and something we carried beyond the game. When it comes right down to it, Tom not only knows how to win football games but also how to win in life.
GRANT TEAFF
Former Head Football Coach, Baylor University
Member, College Football Hall of Fame
Executive Director, American Football Coaches Association
Coach Osborne has been one of the most profound role models in my personal and professional life. He is the man we all would hope to be, the coach that we aspire to be, and the selfless leader that has made our nation so great. Our coaches and players will gain a great deal from this terrific book!
JIM TRESSEL
Head Football Coach, Ohio State University
I have great respect for the legendary Tom Osborne. What a life! And, now, what a book! Beyond the Final Score will impact you deeply, as it did me.
PAT WILLIAMS
Senior Vice President, Orlando Magic
Author, What Are You Living For?
Tom Osborne is one of the finest people I have ever met. He obviously was a great football coach, but he is more than that. He was a dedicated public servant and always did what was right. His character is unimpeachable.
FRANK WOLF
Congressman, Tenth District of Virginia
Tom Osborne has always gone beyond the final score, achieving competitive greatness with integrity, hard work, selfless service to others and a strong faith.
JOHN WOODEN
Former Head Basketball Coach, UCLA and Member of the Basketball Hall of Fame

2009 Tom Osborne
Published by Bethany House Publishers 11400 Hampshire Avenue South Bloomington, Minnesota 55438 www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan. www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Bethany House Publishers edition published 2014
ISBN 978-1-4412-6670-5
Previously published by Regal Books
Ebook edition originally created 2013
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means-for example, electronic, photocopy, recording-without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Photographs courtesy of the Tom Osborne collection and the University of Nebraska Athletic Department.
Photograph on page 121 © Lincoln Journal Star . Used by permission.
Photograph on page 128 © MDP Dwyer Photography. Used by permission.
Dedicated to my wife, Nancy. She has enabled me to take on myriad roles and has been a remarkable model of living each day with a servant’s heart.
CONTENTS
1. Taking on My Next Role
2. Developing Character
3. Going to Washington
4. Running for Governor
5. Returning to Nebraska
6. Leading
7. Becoming a Mentor
8. Fishing, Flying and Family
9. Serving
Tom Osborne Career Capsule
Thanks
TAKING ON MY NEXT ROLE

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
M ARK T WAIN

Never Say “Never”
Just when you think that you know how the rest of your life will play out …
After 25 years as head football coach of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, I knew it was time to move on. There were still things I wanted to do with my life—and, before long, I would be fortunate enough to accomplish many of them—but I believed my days in Nebraska athletics were over.
In 1997, when I turned the football program over to my successor, Frank Solich, I was ready for my next role. I ran for the U.S. Congress and won. I ran for governor of Nebraska and lost. My wife, Nancy, and I started a mentoring program called Team-Mates. I taught graduate classes and spent more time with my family, but I also stayed busy speaking at events and writing a book. I even went fishing.
But just when I thought I knew how the rest of my life would play out, I got a call.
A decade after retiring as head coach, I was asked to return. Nebraska’s football program was experiencing difficulty. In 2004, the team’s losses had outnumbered its wins—and a losing record was nearly unfathomable in Lincoln. The 2005 and 2006 teams had winning seasons; however, they lost four games in 2005 and five in 2006. During the 2007 season, the team was teetering on the brink. After a 3-0 start, the Cornhuskers lost to USC, Missouri and Oklahoma State. At that point the athletic director was fired (although the win-loss record was not a major factor in the decision), and the team went on to lose four of the next five games, resulting in its second losing season in four years. When the athletic director position came open, I was asked to step in on an interim basis.
Certain positions bring notoriety, even celebrity. I have never been completely comfortable with either, and I knew that taking the job would be news—as athletic director, I would be under the watchful eyes of reporters, boosters, fans and Internet bloggers (I am glad that there were not too many bloggers when I was head coach!). Returning to the scrutiny of the public eye was not entirely appealing, yet at the same time, I didn’t think that a desire to avoid publicity was a very good reason to turn down the position.
I prayed, talked with my family and mulled over the pros and cons of the proposition. When I was confident that I had reached the right decision, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. There was no fanfare. When I left 10 years before, I never contemplated coming full circle. Yet in a paradoxical way, my intervening ventures into politics, the classroom and the nonprofit world—and all I learned from those experiences—prepared me for what I would face in my new job.
I was back, but in a new role with very different challenges.
Sometimes when I walk into Memorial Stadium, I recall a par