JON OSTERHOUT RETURNS AS FOOTBALL'S DEFENSIVE LINE COACH 3/4/2008 SACRAMENTO, Calif. — So much for the idea that you can never come back home as former Sacramento State All-American Jon Osterhout was hired as the team’s defensive line coach, it was announced today by head coach Marshall Sperbeck. Osterhout spent the previous two years as a graduate assistant at Nebraska after coaching the Hornets for six seasons. “Jon is an excellent fit for our program,” said Sacramento State head coach Marshall Sperbeck. “He had great success during his previous time here and has only gotten better with the experience he earned at Nebraska. Most importantly, he’s a Hornet and wants nothing more than to see this program succeed.” While at Nebraska, Osterhout worked extensively with the defensive line. In 2007, he assisted as the Huskers broke in four new starters on the defensive front. In his first year at NU, Osterhout helped develop a unit that included 2006 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Adam Carriker, who was selected as the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams, and Jay Moore, who was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round. “My wife and I are thrilled to return to the Sacramento State family,” Osterhout said. “We are very excited about the future of the Hornet football program under Coach Sperbeck’s leadership and all indications point to a wonderful future for the green and gold.” Osterhout spent four of his six years on the Hornet coaching staff as the team’s defensive line coach. He also served as camp director for two years and handled all the preparation for the team’s successful high school camps. He began coaching the defensive line in 2002 and under his leadership, Sacramento State allowed nearly 90 fewer rushing yards per game and had 12 more quarterback sacks. That same season, defensive linemen Eric Broden and Brad Osterhout (his brother) each were named honorable mention all-Big Sky. Two years later, the defense set the school’s FCS/Div. I-AA era record with 33 sacks during the season. Nearly one third of that total came from defensive end Jacob Houston who earned second team all-Big Sky honors. Osterhout continued the units progress the following year and saw two of his players (Mike Brannon and Walter Brock) earn honorable mention all-Big Sky honors.     As a player, Osterhout starred for the Hornets from 1995-99. During that span, he played nearly every position on the offensive  line and was integral in helping Charles Roberts shatter numerous school, Big Sky and national records. Following his senior season, Osterhout was a first-team All-America and signed a free agent contract with the Washington Redskins.     Osterhout is regarded as one of the toughest players ever to wear a Hornet uniform as he started on the offensive line in each of his four active seasons. He was also a two-time all-Big Sky Conference selection and was the team’s captain, most valuable lineman and most inspirational players as a senior.     A native of  Roseville, Calif., Osterhout was a football and baseball star at Oakmont High School. In football, he was a first team all-Capital Athletic League selection and a second team all-Metro pick by the Sacramento Bee as a senior.     After retiring from professional football, Osterhout returned to Sacramento State and coached the Hornet tight ends during the 2000 season.     Osterhout graduated from Sacramento State with a degree in communication studies. He married former Hornet volleyball player Alison Gahr on July 16, 2005 and the couple are expecting their first child in the spring. ---30---