John Parrella was a run-stopping kingpin for the 2002 Oakland Raiders team that reached Super Bowl XXXVII.
So, when he burst past blockers and sacked Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair in the AFC Championship Game, the Raiders' sideline went wild.
Parrella also went wild, then-Raiders defensive line coach Mike Waufle recalled Tuesday with a hearty laugh.
"There was so much energy in his celebration — it lit up the whole stadium," Waufle said.
Now in his fifth decade of either college or NFL coaching, Waufle is perhaps Parrella's foremost mentor. They talk often. During the past few weeks, as the Nebraska defensive line coaching job became a distinct possibility for Parrella, "I can't even tell you how many times we talked on the phone," Waufle said.