A book alleging drug use and performance payments in the Nebraska football program in recent years is scheduled to be published in September.
The book, "Big Red Confidential: Inside Nebraska Football," was written by freelance writer Armen Keteyian, formerly an investigative reporter for Sports Illustrated. It will be published by Contemporary Books, Inc., of New York.The book recounts several publicized off-field incidents involving Cornhusker football players: NCAA investigation of pass-gate violations in 1986; leasing of an automobile by former I-back Doug DuBose; steroid use including that by Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award winner Dean Steinkuhler; and the suicide of tight end Brian Hiemer.
The book alleges players were paid for rushing yards, pass receptions and touchdowns by a wealthy booster, and that players regularly sold complimentary tickets for profit.
It also alleges a small number of players used cocaine while they were at Nebraska.
The book characterizes Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne as a man of contradictions in contrast to his calm public persona.
"A lot of people think he's boring. I don't. Tom's a class act. But he's not perfect," Keteyian said in a telephone interview with the Lincoln Journal-Star Wednesday.
"I think the book is an honest look at what goes on in Big Red football," Keteyian said. "It's not sensationalized. It's the truth."
"At the same time, I was intrigued by the mystery of the program," he said. "Nebraska has always been looked at as being above reproach, but it's no different than any other major college football program."
Osborne was on vacation, according to his secretary, and could not be reached for comment about the book.
Keteyian said that although he uncovered instances of NCAA rules violations he had no indication any member of the coaching staff was aware of them. He declined to discuss details of the claims in his book, but said some abuses, such as an Omaha booster paying players for touchdowns and yards gained, apparently have ended.