John Parrella returning to Nebraska to coach defensive line

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Former Nebraska star and NFL player John Parrella is returning to Lincoln to coach the Cornhuskers' defensive line.

Coach Mike Riley announced Wednesday that Parrella would replace Hank Hughes, who was fired Feb. 5. Riley also announced former NFL general manager and personnel director Billy Devaney as executive director of player personnel and special assistant to the head coach.

Parrella has been defensive line coach at Division II Northern Michigan the past two seasons. He previously was an assistant at Chabot Junior College in California.

Parrella grew up in Grand Island, 80 miles west of Lincoln, and played for Tom Osborne from 1988-92. He walked on after Colorado pulled a scholarship offer and as a senior was an All-Big Eight defensive tackle. He played 12 years for three NFL teams.