The announcement of him leaving comes three weeks prior to national signing day.

"Gundy has been a valuable part of our operation both at Nebraska and Oregon State," Riley said. "I'm excited that he’s getting a chance to get back on the field in a coaching role and wish him the best of luck."

In regards to Banker, Riley has quickly shown in his time in Lincoln he is not hesitant to make changes. Even after just one year here, he let go of defensive line coach Hank Hughes and brought aboard John Parrella.

But Banker had always been around.

He coached defensive backs for Riley at Oregon State in 1997-98. And when Riley took the job as head coach of the San Diego Chargers, Banker was hired by him to be the defensive coordinator and coach defensive backs the next three years. And when Banker was hired back at Oregon State in 2003, Riley asked Banker to be his DC there. And when Riley was hired at Nebraska in 2015, same thing.

The pair was so close that Riley told Banker about the Nebraska opportunity a few days before Riley took the job.

"He said ... 'I don't know how to tell you this or say this to you, but what do you think about coming to Nebraska?'" Banker explained last year.

Now, NU will look to fill two spots on staff, and whomever is hired to fill the vacancy left by Banker will take over one of the most crucial assignments in deciding if Husker football can get back to elite status under Riley's watch.

Reach the writer at bchristopherson@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraBC.

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