Geep Wade Brings Old-School Grit and Fresh Energy to Nebraska’s Offensive Line
Geep Wade isn’t easing his way into Lincoln - he’s diving in headfirst. The new Nebraska offensive line coach made it clear from the jump: coaching at Nebraska isn’t just another job for him. It’s a privilege.
“I told these kids, it's a freaking honor to be here,” Wade said during a Wednesday night appearance on Sports Nightly. “I'll wake up every day and say that to myself.”
Wade’s energy is unmistakable, and it’s already making waves inside the program. After three years molding offensive lines at Georgia Tech, he’s now tasked with shaping the trenches for one of college football’s most tradition-rich programs. And for Wade, the decision to make the move wasn’t a drawn-out process - it was instinctual.
“When [Matt Rhule] called, it was a no-brainer,” Wade said. “Never looked at the place, never Googled the place. I went home and told my wife, ‘we’re going to move to Lincoln, Nebraska.’”
That’s the kind of conviction you want from a guy leading your offensive line - no hesitation, just action.
Building Trust, Building Toughness
Wade wasted no time getting to work. He was on the field with Nebraska’s offensive line during bowl practices, transitioning straight from preparing for a bowl game at Georgia Tech to helping Nebraska gear up for theirs. And while the X’s and O’s matter, Wade is quick to point out what he believes is the foundation of any successful unit: trust.
“What I learned [at Georgia Tech] gave me my first chance at this level and had a bunch of great kids,” Wade said. “I've been here a week, and it's a great group here.”
At Georgia Tech, Wade’s offensive lines became known for their toughness - something he plans to bring to Lincoln in full force.
“We’re going to play hard, we’re going to play nasty, and my job is to coach them on the fundamental part of it,” he said. “If we can be the hardest-playing unit, and be the most fundamentally sound, we’re going to win a lot of games.”
It’s a throwback mindset - physical, disciplined, and relentless - and it fits right in with Nebraska’s football DNA.
Lessons from App State and Recruiting Philosophy
Wade credits a formative stop at Appalachian State for shaping his coaching identity. Under the late Shawn Clark, he got a crash course in what it takes to succeed at the college level - especially when it comes to recruiting.
“That place made me who I’ve become - how to recruit, what kinds of kids to recruit, the toughness of the kids,” Wade said. “The old-school brand of football. That’s how I’ve lived my life the last four years.”
That old-school mentality shows up in how Wade approaches player evaluation. Since arriving in Lincoln, he’s made it clear to the staff: no preconceived notions about the guys in his room. He wants to see them with his own eyes, on his own terms.
“I told them I didn’t want to hear anything about any of the offensive linemen before I got to evaluate them myself,” Wade said.
He’s also big on versatility - he wants linemen who can play multiple positions up front. That flexibility can be a game-changer when injuries hit or when depth charts shift midseason.
But when it comes to the center position, Wade has a firm stance: recruit true centers. Don’t try to manufacture them once they’re on campus.
“Biggest thing I’ve learned - at the center position, it’s hard to teach somebody to snap the football,” Wade said. “I’m really big on signing centers, not making centers. That’s something I’ve learned through trial and error in the past.”
Toughness is Non-Negotiable
If there’s one trait Wade demands from his linemen, it’s toughness - and not just the kind that shows up in the weight room. He wants guys who can battle through adversity, who love life and love football.
He pointed to a former player at Georgia Tech, Keylan Rutledge, as the kind of mindset he’s looking for. Rutledge nearly lost a toe in a car accident, but fought back, became a two-year starter, earned All-America honors, and is now on the radar for the NFL Draft.
“It’s the mentality,” Wade said. “You have to have tough guys who love life and fight through adversity.”
A Fresh Start in Lincoln
Since arriving in Nebraska, Wade’s been staying with tight ends coach Marcus Satterfield - a familiar face from earlier in his coaching journey. That camaraderie is helping him get settled, but make no mistake: Wade’s not here to ease into anything. He’s here to build.
And if his early words and actions are any indication, Nebraska’s offensive line is about to take on a new identity - one rooted in grit, fundamentals, and a whole lot of fight.
Wade’s not just coaching football. He’s building a culture - and he’s doing it the only way he knows how: the hard way.