Items of interest as Nebraska coaches hit the road on Thursday at the end of the month-long recruiting dead period:

• The Huskers plan to try something new next month on signing day: A party with boosters, cheerleaders, food, drinks, dueling pianos, coaches and current and former players.

Sounds pretty harmless.

According to an email invitation distributed to Nebraska donors, the First Annual Big Red #Boom National Signing Day Party is set for 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 5 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. It is open only to donors (21 years of age and older) who contribute $50 or more in the 2013-14 year.

Tickets cost $35 per person or $500 for a table.

Former Nebraska players are also on the docket. Recruits will be interviewed for the audience over the Internet. They will not be in attendance.

For more information, click here.

• With the departure of secondary coach Terry Joseph, Nebraska appears set to hire Air Force defensive coordinator Charlton Warren. Warren, an academy graduate and Atlanta native who has coached at the school for nine years, is the top choice of coach Bo Pelini, according to multiple reports.

He looks like a strong candidate, with ties to the talent-laden Southeast and a history of solid secondary play under his leadership.

I was told of the mutual interest on Monday at the AFCA convention in Indianapolis by a veteran Southeastern Conference assistant coach. The coach spoke highly of Warren and his ability to connect with players in addition to prospects in an important recruiting area for the Huskers.

Notably, he does not appear to possess any strong ties to Pelini or other members of the Nebraska staff, often a prerequisite in the coach’s hiring practice. If Pelini is reaching out of his comfort zone, good move.

Pelini may have also spoken in Indianapolis with former Nebraska safety Daniel Bullocks, who recently completed his third season on the defensive staff at Northern Iowa. Bullocks, wearing a suit amid the masses of polo-clad coaches, chatted on Monday with a few current and former Nebraska staffers during down time in public space at the Indiana Convention Center.

• Nebraska I-back Ameer Abdullah is scheduled to visit with the media on Thursday afternoon at Memorial Stadium about his decision to return for his senior season in 2014. Stay here for any news from the interview.