In the stratosphere of coaching big-time college football, 33 is a relatively young age.

John Papuchis knows this.

He also knows age isn't as important as insight. And Papuchis has been gaining it over the past decade, from the likes of defensive-minded coaches such as Bo Pelini, Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, Will Muschamp and Bill Young.

Papuchis is especially appreciative of the first name on that list.

"For seven years, in one way or another, Bo's been training me and teaching me," Papuchis said Thursday.

Given all that training, the assistant coach is confident he's ready for his new role as Nebraska's defensive coordinator.

In what was hardly a shock, Pelini officially gave Papuchis that job title Thursday.

"Every step of the way I've been ready to learn and get better, I hope," Papuchis said. "I feel like I'm fully prepared for this opportunity right now."

In announcing Papuchis as his defensive coordinator, Pelini also made it official that Rick Kaczenski, formerly the defensive line coach at Iowa, will now be in charge of Nebraska's front four.

Kaczenski said during an interview on the Husker Sports Network on Thursday night that he's going to bring a high level of intensity.

"I think you've got to be intense," he said. "Football's a tough sport. It's a man's game, especially in the trenches. And I think when coaching a position like D-line ... if you expect your players to be intense, I think as a coach you have to be intense. I think they're going to take on your personality."

Kaczenski is already on the clock. He's been in Lincoln the past few days and will join the staff on the Huskers' bowl trip to Orlando, Fla., next week.

Pelini said in a statement he was pleased with how his defensive staff had taken shape, expressing full confidence in Papuchis as defensive coordinator.

"John Papuchis is an outstanding coach in every area -- on the field, in the meeting room, as a recruiter -- and he is more than prepared to take the next step in his coaching career," Pelini said.

Pelini first was impressed by Papuchis seven years ago when Papuchis worked as a defensive intern at LSU while Pelini was the Tigers' defensive coordinator.

He liked Papuchis so much he gave Papuchis his first full-time assistant's job four years ago. Since then, Pelini has trusted the assistant with some of the most important roles on Nebraska's staff.

This year, Papuchis was defensive line coach, recruiting coordinator and special-teams coordinator.

It's likely Papuchis won't maintain all, or any, of those roles given the responsibilities of his new job.

"I think Bo has a plan in mind," Papuchis said when asked if he'd give up some of those jobs. "The roles will probably change to a certain extent, but at this time it'd be inappropriate for me to comment on how he's going to fill the roles."

It was a popular prediction in recent weeks that Papuchis would take over the coordinator position that came open when Carl Pelini left to become the head coach at Florida Atlantic.

While Papuchis had a good feeling he might get the job, he awaited the final word.

And when he got it?

"It was my dream set coming into this profession to have this opportunity," Papuchis said.

Zach Potter, who played on Papuchis' first defensive line at Nebraska in 2008 and is now a tight end with the Jacksonville Jaguars, said he's not surprised Papuchis has moved up the coaching ladder so quickly.

"I think he has the commitment, drive, personality and also the coaching style to deal with players," Potter said. "He can be a players' coach instead of being a ruler and just trying to control everything. He lets his players play. And I think he has that swagger from being around Bo at LSU and Nebraska."

As for Kaczenski, Pelini said the coach's "track record of developing defensive linemen speaks for itself."

The 36-year-old former Notre Dame offensive lineman has spent the past five years coaching Iowa's defensive linemen, including Adrian Clayborn, who received consensus All-America honors in 2010.

Seven of Kaczenski's defensive linemen have been drafted or have signed an NFL free-agent contract over the past four seasons.

Before taking over as defensive line coach, Kaczenski served two seasons as a graduate assistant at Iowa, working specifically with the offensive line. 

He said he didn't know Pelini well personally before being hired at NU. His one connection to the Nebraska program was Husker football strength coach James Dobson, who used to work at Iowa.

Kaczenski primarily recruited the state of Florida while coaching at Iowa, but said on the Husker Sports Network that "I'm willing to go anywhere."

"It obviously helps when you walk into those high schools and you have the N on your chest," he said. "I'm looking forward to it."

Papuchis had an opportunity the last couple days to get to know Kaczenski.

It was a good first impression.

"What jumped out to me right off the bat was his enthusiasm and passion for the game," Papuchis said. "And just talking to him it became clear very quickly that he's a very knowledgeable guy and defensive line coach. He's going to be an asset to our staff as a recruiter and a coach in every way."