Tom Osborne returned for a second stint with the Ducks prior to the 2007 season, with the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach restoring the levels of productivity and energy of his areas to that prior to his 2001 hiatus.

It didn’t take long for Coach “Oz” to make his presence felt, lifting Oregon’s units on special teams out of the bottom ranks of the Pac-10 statistical standings during the 2007 season’s 9-4 campaign. The Ducks placed second in the conference in kickoff returns (23.96 avg., 14th nationally), fourth in kickoff coverage (42.9 net avg.) and ranked fifth in net punting (36.69 avg., 34th in the nation) in his first season following his return. Andiel Brown led the Pac-10 in punt returns (10.41 avg.) and Jonathan Stewart was third in kick returns (26.70 avg.).

In 2008, Oregon ranked 16th nationally (3rd in the Pac-10) in punt returns (12.5 avg.), while Jairus Byrd and Walter Thurmond both finished third in the league, respectively, running back punts and kickoffs.

In 2009, Oregon ranked 17th in the country in kickoff returns (24.5 avg.). He also played an increased role in the development of the Ducks’ kickers, as Morgan Flint was successful on better than 88 percent of his field goal attempts.

He also oversaw the development of first-team All-Pac-10 tight end Ed Dickson, who became Oregon’s all-time leader in receptions (124) and yards (1,557) at the position prior to his selection in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.

Before returning to Eugene for a second tenure, Osborne had spent six seasons as the assistant head coach, special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at Arizona State, after coordinating Oregon’s special teams and tutoring its tight ends from 1995 through 2000. During his tenure with the Sun Devils, Osborne’s units blocked 11 punts.

Osborne was named the Division IA National Special Teams Coordinator of the Year by American Football Coaches Monthly Magazine following the 2003 season. His success in placing a high priority on the different phases of the kicking game has been well documented.

He coached the only team in ASU history to have both the punt return and kickoff return units rank among the top 10 in the nation in the same year (2005). In addition, he oversaw the only team in the nation to have back-to-back years ranked in the top 10 in kickoff returns (2005 and 2006).

His Sun Devils led the Pac-10 in kickoff coverage (16th nationally) in 2004 and ranked No. 2 in the country in kickoff returns in 2006. ASU also ranked among the top 27 in the nation in net punting four of his six seasons.

Along the way, he has been instrumental in the development of 16 All-Americans, 15 first-team all-conference standouts and 12 second-team all-league honorees in his 28-year coaching career.

Yet his role tutoring tight ends has not taken a back seat, as evidenced by CBSsports.com naming him one of the top five tight end coaches in the country in June of 2008.

Osborne has aided in the development Oregon tight end Ed Dickson, who will depart following the Rose Bowl as the program’s all-time receiving leader for a tight end. As a sophomore Dickson was the team’s second-leading receiver with 43 receptions, 453 yards and three touchdowns. He improved his productivity a year ago with 508 receiving yards, while he accumulated 42 catches for 551 yards and six TDs in his final year to earn first-team Pac-10 all-conference honors.

At ASU, Zach Miller earned first-team All-America honors in 2006 after catching 50 passes for 484 yards and four touchdowns. Over three seasons, ASU’s all-time receptions leader at the position caught more passes (144) than any other tight end in the country while his yardage (1,512) was second nationally during that span.

Under Osborne’s supervision, Oregon’s special teams play during his first tour of duty was arguably the best in the Pac-10, if not the country. The Ducks ranked either first or second in the Pac-10 in kickoff coverage each of his six seasons, among the top three in kickoff returns five of six years and among the top three in net punting on four occasions. Before departing Eugene in 2000, Oregon led the league in kickoff coverage (17.04 avg.), kickoff returns (22.5 avg.) and net punting (37.7 avg.).

From a statistical standpoint - in addition to Dickson - Osborne also coached Oregon’s other top three tight ends of all time (Josh Wilcox - 103 receptions, Blake Spence - 92 catches). During his first six years, the Ducks’ tight ends annually averaged close to 50 catches for 700 yards and seven touchdowns. Wilcox, Spence, Jed Weaver and Justin Peelle each received All-Pac-10 and All-America honors.

Prior to joining the Oregon staff, the Washington native coached running backs and tight ends at Boise State for two seasons (1993-94) and coached at Portland State from 1986-92. During his time with the Broncos, Del Graven set the BSU single-season record for catches by a tight end with 55.

The 1983 Washington State graduate and former wide receiver served as a student coach for the Cougars (1981-82) as well as a graduate assistant (1983-85) at his alma mater.

Osborne (9/27/60) and his wife, Monica, have one son, Tyler, and one daughter, Ashley.