LINCOLN, Neb. -- New Mexico State offensive coordinator Barney Cotton has been hired at Nebraska, most likely as the Cornhuskers' top play caller, the Lincoln Journal Star reported in its Wednesday editions.

Citing an anonymous source, the Journal Star said the former Nebraska lineman interviewed with coach Frank Solich on Monday and Tuesday in New Orleans, where the two were attending the American Football Coaches Association convention.

Another anonymous source told the newspaper that Cotton would work with the offensive line.

Nebraska athletic director Steve Pederson declined to comment Wednesday about any hirings to fill several open positions on the football team's staff, saying any announcements would have to made by Solich.

"Frank is nearing the point at which he will be able to make some very exciting announcements about additions to our staff,'' he said. "People will be excited when they see the new people that will be joining us.''

Solich did not immediately return a phone message left by The Associated Press with the school's sports information office. He was expected to return Thursday from New Orleans.

Cotton told the Lincoln newspaper Tuesday night that the time wasn't right for him to comment.

"Just bear with me,'' he told a Journal Star reporter in New Orleans.

The Journal Star also reported that Nebraska's 20-year offensive line and kickers coach Dan Young would retire next month to make way for Cotton's role with the offensive line and Dave Gillespie would step down as running backs coach to become director of football operations.

The Cornhuskers' current director of football operations, Pat Logsdon, on Tuesday was named director of athletic administration.

Young and Gillespie did not immediately return phone messages left at their offices by The Associated Press.

Cotton, an Omaha Burke graduate, just completed his sixth season at New Mexico State after two seasons as head coach at Hastings College.

New Mexico State finished 7-5 in 2002, its first seven-win season since 1967. The Aggies ranked 14th nationally in rushing, 73rd in passing and 23rd in total offense.

New Mexico State's run-oriented attack is similar to Nebraska's, though Cotton has shown a tendency to throw the ball more often.

Solich has said Nebraska needs to improve its passing game.

Sources also told the Journal Star that Nebraska's quarterbacks coach Turner Gill would be elevated to assistant head coach if he does not get the offensive coordinator's job.

Tim Albin, who just completed his three-year stint as a graduate assistant for the Huskers, also has been named as a candidate for the offensive coordinator's job. He is expected to land a full-time job on the staff, but it was unclear in what capacity.