As a long-time sports observer, and recent donor to the NU football program, I have a need to state my embarrassment as a Husker supporter. The magnitude of the situation (head coach of a high profile, major college program) is so far over Bo Pelini's head, that it's apparent something needs to be done. There are a multitude of signs that indicate that the choice to hire Bo Pelini was the wrong one. One that could possibly set the program back even further than Bill Callahan's coaching ineptitude.
How many embarrassing photos or film clips of Pelini losing control of his emotions do we need to see before we understand that he does not possess the attributes to be the face of the football program? He clearly spends too much of his time berating players, coaches, and officials during the game. After the game, he turns to bullying the media. It is understandable for a head coach to be upset at times during the heat of battle, but to not be able to compose yourself and return to coaching your team is inexcusable. It's no wonder that this is one of the more undisciplined football teams in the country, as evidenced by the number of unsportsmanlike and personal foul penalties. Pelini doesn't get it. The players take their lead from his actions. After his embarrassing actions on the sideline, Pelini carries it over to the press conferences. He cannot answer a question in full articulate sentences. It's embarrassing when your head coach, who is essentially your C.E.O., makes the comment, "if you don't like it, tough." Pelini has used that phrase multiple times this season, when asked a question that he felt questioned his authority. Disgraceful is how I would describe Pelini's mannerisms and actions.
Let's also look at how this head coach represents the university on the sideline in his choice of apparel. A Gray sweatshirt. We're not talking about going to work in a corporate boardroom, but this is still the image people across the country carry away with them when watching a Nebraska game. This image is how they judge the Nebraska football program. A group of out of control "yahoos". They see a head coach who is clearly not in control of his emotional state, wearing a sweatshirt, with a ball cap tilted back on his head. How many other major college head coaches portray such an unprofessional image?
Every season, there are a number of former coordinators that become head coaches. There are an equal number of head coaches that were former coordinators that are fired because they were not equipped with the skill sets to take on the additional responsibilities of being the head coach and be the representative face of the university. Maybe I'm quick to judge, but I feel that is the situation that we find ourselves in at Nebraska. Bo Pelini may be a defensive juggernaut as a coordinator (jury is still out on whether the talent at LSU carried him), but as a Head Coach, he is not what the University of Nebraska needs to propel us back to national prominence. He's become that embarrassing uncle at the wedding that everyone watches to see what he will do next. Do you think that the TV cameras are always on Pelini because of his charm? We all know the answer to that.
Shatel: I've had to smile at some of the e-mails and questions I've received this past week. Like this one. Bo chews gum. Bo wears a sweat shirt. Bo yells too much. Etc, etc.
All I can say is, you wanted passion and you got it. What's the big deal? Pelini was treated like a genius around here in 2003, when he was ranting and raving — and hugging players afterward (The cameras rarely show those moments). He was a coach who could "get people to play for him.'' Now he's an embarrassment? Please. I'm glad he's vocal. This program needed a kick in the pants. The only change I would have him make is to dial it down a notch. Don't spend all game yelling at officials. Be aware of your image. But, again, I don't want Bo to be stoic. He has to be Bo or he's not the coach we signed up for. Bottom line: if Nebraska wins, nobody complains about how Pelini acts. Just win, Bo.