Osborne, already the interim athletic director, on Wednesday declared himself interim head coach until he hires a successor to Bill Callahan.

The interim coach designation lets Osborne visit prospective recruits away from campus, athletic department communications chief Randy York said today.

The 70-year-old Osborne passed the NCAA certification test on his first try Wednesday, York said. Osborne went on the road to recruit today and Friday, and the school sent a letter notifying the Big 12 of Osborne's new title, York said.

Once a hire is made, Osborne could continue to recruit until the new coach assembles a full staff of nine assistants, York said.

As the Cornhuskers' head coach from 1973 to 1997, Osborne won 255 games and three national championships.

Osborne said in a radio interview with the Husker Sports Network on Wednesday that he hoped to have a new coach selected by next week. He already interviewed Buffalo coach Turner Gill and LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini and spoke informally with Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe, according to media reports.

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly told local radio station WCKY on Wednesday that he had not been contacted by Nebraska.