Official press release from NU

[Husker Runner]

Lincoln – University of Nebraska Interim Athletic Director Tom Osborne Sunday named Bo Pelini the school’s 28th head football coach – and only the fifth head coach since 1962.

 

 

Osborne said his eight-day search for a successor to Bill Callahan was based on analyzing the qualities of individual coaches and balancing them with the needs of the program.

 

 

“We need a head coach with strong defensive credentials and great leadership,” Osborne said. “We were also looking for someone who can inspire confidence and get players to play with great effort. And, of course, we also wanted our new head coach to understand our traditions, including the importance of our walk-on program and the importance of football in this state.”

 

Osborne said Pelini “fit the bill in all respects.”

 

 

According to Osborne, Pelini “made a significant difference when he was defensive coordinator of our (10-3) team in 2003, especially after we struggled considerably on defense the year before. I was particularly impressed with the way we beat Michigan State (17-3) in the Alamo Bowl. As interim head coach, Bo motivated the team on both sides of the ball, and we played with a great deal of passion and intensity in that game – both on defense and on offense.”

 

 

In 2004, Pelini was co-defensive coordinator for an Oklahoma team that won the Big 12 championship and lost to USC in the national championship game. The last three seasons, he has been defensive coordinator at LSU, helping the Tigers to three consecutive years of a top-three national ranking in total defense.

 

 

“It takes good coaching and good leadership to have a defense ranked either at or near the top of the national charts,” Osborne said. “Last night, I thought LSU’s defense played well and was important in that Southeastern Conference championship game.”

 

 

Osborne acknowledged an aggressive timeframe for hiring a new coach. “We wanted to get this done as quickly as possible, so Bo can put together his new staff and concentrate on recruiting,” he said. “These next two weeks are really critical to the recruiting process.”

 

http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SP...;ATCLID=1331515

[chester]

Did anyone ask Osborne, "Why not Gill?"?

[T_O_Bull]

Wow, I've had mixed feelings and bounced back and fourth we three coaches in mind. I would have been happy with any one of the three. I'm sure we will never everything that went into the selection process but Tom Osborne has been the leader of Husker Nation ever since he accepted the reins from Bob Devaney.

Go Bo, , Go Blackshirts, , and above all else GO BIG RED. We have some scvores to settle!!!

>>>T_O_B

[T_O_Bull]

Did anyone ask Osborne, "Why not Gill?"?

 

Doesn't matter who it isn't, what matters is who it is.

>>>T_O_B

[Dan_F_30]

HA, good thing I just woke up from a nap and turned on the TV. I thought I was still dreamin!!

[twodogs27]

? why not Gill though Pelini will do a good job. Go Big Red

 

1. TO thought Pelini was better fit or better coach

2. Gill did not want the job

3. TO w/n wish this job on Gill...he's been there