A Personal Side of Matt Rhule and the Husker Staff

Adding to a collection of Husker logo footballs signed by Nebraska head coaches

Cozy Cove, MN

My wife Donna and I had just returned from our annual fishing trip to Gribble's Cozy Cove last week in northern Minnesota when I received a phone call from Lynn Gribble. A little background first. Her husband Steve had approached me about advertising his fishing resort around 2005. Since that time I have taken the family there at least once a year and sometimes twice and became good friends with Steve and Lynn. Sadly Steve passed away last summer from complications of appendicitis. I dedicated our hunting and fishing forum in his memory.

Back to the story. Lynn was excited because she just got an autographed Husker logo football signed by Coach Rhule. Steve had started a collection of Nebraska Head Coach autographed football several years ago. I put him in touch with Pete Elliott and Bill Glassford after I interviewed both of them. He has individual footballs of every Nebraska Head Coach since that time except for Bill Jennings.

One of the regulars who lives on the lake took it upon himself without Lynn knowing and sent this email to Nebraska Athletics personnel:

Good morning, 

Kind of an odd request here…. This is a little resort bar on Marion Lake near Perham, Minnesota named Cozy Cove Resort. The Owner, Steve Gribble obviously created a Husker Bar (GO BIG RED!) in Perham Minnesota and was a lifelong fan. He passed away last year and I know his wife Lynn, who now runs the little family resort and bar would love a new football signed by Coach Rhule to be added to the collection. We are planning a little remembrance for Steve as they open at Minnesota this year on August 31. I realize you get many such requests but wondering if there would be any chance we could get a signed football to continue Steve’s collection of autographed coach footballs…. He was proud of this collection as you can see. 

My name is Jeremy Kovash and I live on Marion Lake. Thank you for your consideration and good luck.

My best,
Jeremy Kovash

Coach Rhule's autographed football was added to Steve's collection on display in the bar. 

Autographed Footballs of Husker Head Football Coaches at Cozy Cove Resort on Marion Lake in Minnesota / Cozy Cove, MN

It is no surprise to me the follow through that occured with the mailing of the football autographed by Matt Rhule. Here is what I wrote about Steve last year and the additional contributions that were made at that time for the flagpole in the resort which also became a reality last week. Thank you Coach Rhule and the Nebraska Staff that made this happen. There is no place like Nebraska.

Cozy Cove