Parting shot or playing to the new colors?

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Speaking on "Sports Nightly," a University of Nebraska radio talkshow, Rick Kaczenski let one loose that certainly is open to interpretation.

In an interview with show host Jeff Culhane, Kaczenski said this on the topic of recruiting, "It's obviously helps when you walk into a high school and you have the 'N' on your chest. I'm looking forward to that. That will be the first time in my career when you're walking into high schools with a name brand on your chest. I'm very excited about that."

Up until the beginning of this week, Kaczenski happened to be recruiting for Iowa. His base was Florida, but he also roamed into Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Slight to Iowa or playing to the new fan base? Is it related to Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz announcing Kaczenski's departure before the news was official at Nebraska?

No, on that second question. The reason Iowa released Kaczenski's departure when it did was to activate LeVar Woods, who's coaching Iowa's D-line for the Insight Bowl. NCAA rules dictate that a school must make a departure official before it can replace a coach. Iowa wanted Woods to jump right in.

Here is Kirk Ferentz's statement from Tuesday's release: “Defensive Line Coach Rick Kaczenski has decided to leave our staff for another coaching opportunity. During the last five years, Rick contributed greatly to our program. We wish Rick and his family the best.”

On the first question, the "brand name" thing, Ferentz said, "I'm not sure what that means."

However you interpret it, Kaczenski is Husker property now. He will run into Iowa on the recruiting trail (the national signing period starts Feb. 1) and he will recruit against his former staff mates or maybe the new coaches Iowa will soon have on staff.

Kaczenski also said Iowa scouted Nebraska's defensive style (two-gap on the D-line) before the Huskers joined the Big Ten. He mentioned secondary coach Phil Parker checking out the Huskers' defensive back play.

Ferentz said Friday there will be no news on the coaching front until after New Year's. Iowa currently has two openings on its staff with Kaczenski's departure and coordinator Norm Parker's retirement.