Lincoln, NE -- (Sports Network) - University of Nebraska interim athletic director Tom Osborne named himself as the interim head coach of the football team while the school continues its coaching search.

Nebraska's assistant athletic director Gary Bargen faxed a letter to the Big 12 Conference on Wednesday stating that Osborne is the interim head coach of the team until a new head football coach is officially named. Osborne, who can now recruit off-campus, passed the 2007-08 coaches' certification examination also on Wednesday.

The 70-year-old Osborne coached Nebraska from 1973 to 1997 and during that span captured three national championships.

This past Sunday, former head coach Bill Callahan was fired by Osborne after the Cornhuskers wrapped up a dismal 5-7 campaign.

Callahan posted a record of 27-22 at Nebraska, which included losing marks in his first and final years. The Cornhuskers will not play in a bowl game for only the second time in the last 39 seasons -- both under Callahan's watch.