Pole vault guru Rick Attig has landed on his feet.
Attig, an assistant track coach at Kansas University for 16 years who did not have his contract renewed after last season, has accepted an assistant coaching post at the University of Nebraska.
Attig replaces former NU assistant Mark Kostek, who is the new Drake Relays coordinator. Attig will coach pole vaulters and multi-event athletes in Lincoln, Neb.
“I am really excited about it,” Attig said. “I have always loved KU and Lawrence. At the same time, I have been such a long-time admirer of Nebraska’s success, their program, resources and things.
“So many times I’d go up there and go through their Hall of Fame and think, ‘Gosh how can we recruit against those guys?'”
Attig tutored Olympian Scott Huffman and also worked with U.S. standout Pat Manson, plus Candy Mason, Andrea Branson and Mary Beth Labosky.
“It was a super 16 years. I can’t imagine it being any better at Nebraska than it was here. We had seven 18-footers,” Attig said. “A lot of people don’t realize triple jump was my favorite event. It’s an event I really love. It rivals the pole vault.
“I was a thrower. I like all the technical events,” added Attig, a former standout at SE Missouri State who grew up in Murphysboro, Ill.
Attig nearly accepted an offer from Utah State over the summer after he learned his contract would not be renewed at KU following the firing of head coach Gary Schwartz. He also received inquiries from Purdue and Georgia.
“Actually this summer I wrote down several schools I’d be interested in Nebraska, Texas, Indiana, Arkansas,” Attig said.
Purdue called three weeks ago about Attig possibly joining the Boilermaker staff. A week later Nebraska called.
“It’s strange because Nebraska was at the top of the list I’d made up,” Attig indicated.
“There are only a few jobs that would make me leave Lawrence. I had seriously considered settling here and putting together a training facility for Olympic hopefuls in the vault and a few other events.”
But the Nebraska offer was too good to refuse.
“To be part of a team … you can’t beat that,” said Attig, who has been working as a volunteer coach at Baker this semester.
“A school like that calls, you do not bat an eye,” he said. “I am hopeful with the facilities at Nebraska we’ll be able to recruit some great athletes. Nebraska has a great program.”
Attig sends his best wishes to KU senior Branson, a Big 12 standout he tutored at KU the past three years.
“It would make my year if Andrea had a great season,” Attig said. “I’d be just as proud as if I was still working with her.”
