Former Husker Joins Loper Football Staff

KEARNEY – Nebraska Kearney head football coach Ryan Held announced today that Eric Lee Jr. will serve as a graduate assistant coach and work with the Loper secondary.

The former ‘Husker defensive back most recently was the Head of Football Operations at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, Calif. Serving as UNL Football Camp instructor during his playing days, Lee Jr. worked in the private sector after graduation.

“I’m pumped to have Eric choose to come to be the secondary coach. I have a prior relationship with Eric and I really respected his character and work ethic,” said Held. 

Lee Jr. spent five years (2015-19) at Nebraska, redshirting as a freshman and then appearing in 38 games over the next four seasons. He finished his career with 65 tackles (39 solo), two interceptions for 38 yards and one touchdown, five pass breakups and a blocked kick. The native of Milton, Mass., was a four-time member of the Nebraska Scholar Athlete Honor Roll, Brook Berringer and Tom Osborne Citizenship Teams and a one-time recipient of the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award.

“He is a fast-rising secondary coach! He has the right attitude and demeanor to coach our guys at the level they need to be coached to be successful on and off the field,” said Held.

A graduate of prep power Valor Christian in Denver, Lee Jr. helped the ‘Huskers win 22 games including a 9-4 season and a berth in the Music City Bowl in 2016. Tabbed as the No. 1 player coming out of the Colorado prep ranks his senior year, Lee Jr. was coached at Valor by former NFL defensive back Brian Dawkins.

Lee Jr. holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Arts Education from UNL.

The new Loper staff is out recruiting in preparation for Division II signing day on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Held will soon announce one more full-time assistant coach and an offensive grad assistant.