Pelini refuses to confirm

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

ESPN

 

ATLANTA -- Bo Pelini's actions may have said more than his words on Saturday night.

 

Minutes after LSU's Southeastern Conference championship victory over Tennessee, players and coaches surged toward the LSU fans in one end zone in the Georgia Dome.

 

Pelini was alone as he jogged in the opposite direction toward an end zone tunnel, perhaps leaving the LSU team behind as he reportedly is close to accepting an offer to become Nebraska's head coach.

 

After the game, Pelini would not confirm reports that he will step down as LSU's defensive coordinator to take the Nebraska job.

 

"No, I can't,'' said Pelini, a former Nebraska defensive coordinator. "We'll see what happens over the next couple of days. I'm just enjoying this championship. We worked hard and stayed together.''

 

Multiple sources told ESPN.com's Pat Forde on Friday that barring any last-minute snags, Pelini will be introduced as the new head coach at Nebraska early next week.

 

A Baton Rouge, La., newspaper reported that a member of the Louisiana State University system's board of supervisors confirmed Pelini will take the job.

 

"I think it's pretty clear and it's our idea that Bo will be the next coach at Nebraska,'' Charles Weems told The Advocate for a story on its Web site Saturday.

 

Nebraska interim athletic director Tom Osborne refused to comment Friday on ESPN.com's report.

 

"I have no comment one way or the other," said Osborne.

 

LSU athletic director Skip Bertman said he talked with Pelini before Saturday's game about the report.

 

"Pelini doesn't know anything about that, at least that's what he told me,'' Bertman said.

 

"I'll tell you this, he would deserve a head job. He's an excellent, excellent coach. He's the kind of guy who has been in the business long enough with all the people he knows to fill a staff.''

 

Before Pelini made his solitary exit from the field, he was doused with a cooler of water by two of his players, linebacker Ali Highsmith and defensive end Tyson Jackson.

 

"We were just showing him that we appreciate him, no matter what he's about to do,'' Highsmith said.

 

Said Jackson: "If coach Pelini decides to go to Nebraska, I wish him the very best. I think he's the best defensive coordinator out there. If that's the decision he makes, I back him 100 percent.''

 

If hired, the 39-year-old Pelini would replace Bill Callahan, who was fired last Saturday after the Huskers' second losing season in four years.

 

Osborne had said when announcing Callahan's firing that the next coach didn't have to have Nebraska ties. Pelini was only at Nebraska in 2003, but his no-nonsense, hardworking style of coaching defense quickly made him a beloved figure.

 

Pelini was interim coach after Frank Solich was fired following the 2003 regular season, coaching the Huskers to an Alamo Bowl victory over Michigan State. As he walked off the field in San Antonio, Huskers fans chanted "We want Bo.''

 

Osborne has interviewed Pelini and Buffalo coach Turner Gill, a former star Nebraska quarterback and longtime assistant, and reportedly spoke informally with Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe.

 

Pelini had been a candidate for the Nebraska job after Solich's firing. Former athletic director Steve Pederson interviewed Pelini but elected to go with Callahan.

 

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

 

[Wally]

Do you really think a DC making a few hundred thou a year is going to turn down an opportunity to earn a couple mill a year after endorsements? Plus, he said it was his dream job to his players.

 

I think there may be some contract negotiations remaining but I don't see him saying, "No" to the offer.

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

Hey I'm just postin the article...don't shoot the messenger

[huskermez9674]

Why would the take the job since it isn't an elite job anymore.

Really I am glad he is even thinking about coming back after getting screwed 4 years ago.

I think it is us as fans that brought him back.

[Wally]

Hey I'm just postin the article...don't shoot the messenger

 

Sorry, my words were aimed at the logic presented by the writer, not at you.

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

Hey I'm just postin the article...don't shoot the messenger

 

Sorry, my words were aimed at the logic presented by the writer, not at you.

[Wally]

OK, here is what I think might be behind this odd comment by Pelini

 

"No, I can't,'' said Pelini, a former Nebraska defensive coordinator. "We'll see what happens over the next couple of days. I'm just enjoying this championship. We worked hard and stayed together.''

 

Tom has been waiting for the SEC CG to be over before offically offering the job to Pelini in which case his comment would be perfectly logical.

 

OR, Pelini is too caught up in the Championship win that he can't bring himself to think about the NU job offer until he lets this win and his departure sink in a little bit.

 

OR, Pelini needs to talk to Tom AFTER the SEC CG to accept the offer and tie up any loose ends with the agreement and can't confirm acceptance to the press until he confirms it with Tom first.

[huskermez9674]

OK, here is what I think might be behind this odd comment by Pelini

 

"No, I can't,'' said Pelini, a former Nebraska defensive coordinator. "We'll see what happens over the next couple of days. I'm just enjoying this championship. We worked hard and stayed together.''

 

Tom has been waiting for the SEC CG to be over before offically offering the job to Pelini in which case his comment would be perfectly logical.

 

OR, Pelini is too caught up in the Championship win that he can't bring himself to think about the NU job offer until he lets this win and his departure sink in a little bit.

Good call.

[toothlessHusker]

"No, I can't,'' said Pelini, a former Nebraska defensive coordinator. "We'll see what happens over the next couple of days. I'm just enjoying this championship. We worked hard and stayed together.''

 

"No I can't" was probably 100% truth. Osborne probably told him "you breathe a word of this before we announce and it could screw the pooch on this deal."

[Wally]

"No, I can't,'' said Pelini, a former Nebraska defensive coordinator. "We'll see what happens over the next couple of days. I'm just enjoying this championship. We worked hard and stayed together.''

 

"No I can't" was probably 100% truth. Osborne probably told him "you breathe a word of this before we announce and it could screw the pooch on this deal."

 

That makes even more sense.

[Husker Deb]

"No, I can't,'' said Pelini, a former Nebraska defensive coordinator. "We'll see what happens over the next couple of days. I'm just enjoying this championship. We worked hard and stayed together.''

 

"No I can't" was probably 100% truth. Osborne probably told him "you breathe a word of this before we announce and it could screw the pooch on this deal."

 

That makes even more sense.

[Wharf Rat]

I don't know what these people expect. Do they really think in celebration after the game Bo (or any other coach for that matter) is going to come out and say. "Oh, BTW, I'm leaving to take another job somewhere else." They need to do a littler reality check. LSU just won the SEC and may have a chance to go to the MNC game. Tonight is for the coaches and players. The announcement will be made in next couple of days the same as it would have if LSU lost tonight.