CORVALLIS -- The first time John Rushing was a member of Gary Andersen's coaching staff almost a decade ago, he bolted after about one week for an NFL job.
When Andersen inquired about potential openings when he became the head coach at Wisconsin, Rushing declined interest because of less-than-ideal timing. The two men never even crossed paths while living in the same state for nearly two years, as Rushing happened to be out of the office when Andersen visited the Green Bay Packers staff.
But when Rushing received a text from Andersen this past winter, he would not pass up another opportunity to reunite with his former, short-term boss.