Steven M. Sipple: Pelini's double-dip felt awkward at times
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There’s no need to consult Giorgio Armani to understand one of life’s fundamental truths.
Red and purple typically don’t go well together.
I guess it worked out OK, this period during which Bo Pelini remained Louisiana State’s defensive coordinator after being hired Dec. 2 as Nebraska’s head coach. There was never a doubt Pelini would stay with the Tigers through tonight’s Bowl Championship Series title game. And make no mistake — Pelini absolutely did the right thing in fulfilling his commitment to LSU.
His Nebraska boss, Tom Osborne, fully supported Pelini’s decision. After all, Osborne says, many coaches never get a chance to capture a national title. Amen to that. Plus, a strong defensive showing by Louisiana State tonight against Ohio State’s powerful offensive line obviously would reflect well on the Huskers and perhaps steer a recruit or two toward Big Red.
However, I still think Pelini’s double-dip felt awkward at times.
Maybe it’s just me, but I’m guessing some Nebraska fans might have cringed a time or two in the past month when Pelini stated, “I’m all about LSU right now,” especially considering Pelini has been on NU’s payroll since Dec. 2.
Technically, Pelini is no longer on salary at Louisiana State. But terms of his contract with LSU mandate that he will receive a $96,000 bowl supplement should LSU win tonight or an $80,000 supplement should it lose, according to USA Today. Bully for Bo. In fairness, coaches being paid by two schools have become fairly common during bowl season.
Pelini worked at Nebraska for two weeks — mostly recruiting — until a recruiting dead period began Dec. 17. He then turned the lion’s share of his attention toward Louisiana State.
However, “He’s had some time in the mornings and at night when he works Nebraska stuff,” says Carl Pelini, Bo’s brother and the Huskers’ new defensive coordinator. “He gets to his meetings and practice time with LSU and hustles for his game prep. I think it’s gone pretty smoothly.”
Osborne says he talks to Bo Pelini every other day.
Says Carl: “I’m sure Bo’s not sleeping a whole lot. But he’s hanging in there just fine.”
Even so, it felt awkward in Huskerville last month when Nebraska recruits began de-committing in bushels. All told, nine once-committed prospects reneged on their verbal pledges to the Huskers since Pelini’s arrival. So much for momentum generated from the hire. Many of the defections occurred during the dead period, when there essentially was nothing either Bo or his assistants could do about them.
Anyway, no need for panic on the recruiting front, Carl Pelini says.
“We’re looking at it as a marathon and to be honest, we’re really excited,” he says. “You know what, there are a lot of great players out there. We get calls from coaches basically every day. We’re just going to keep hammering away, and I think in the end, everybody will be pleasantly surprised.”
At any rate, I’m guessing many Nebraska fans will feel better come Tuesday, when Pelini can say, “I’m 100-percent red.” After all, Husker fans’ passion tends to manifest itself in a year-round sense of urgency. That sense probably was heightened in recent days as Big 12 North rivals Missouri and Kansas posted impressive bowl victories.
Missouri and Kansas next season will return excellent quarterbacks plus practically their entire starting linebacker crews. The Tigers have 15 returning starters in all, the Jayhawks 17, including 10 on defense. Colorado, meanwhile, also is set to return 15 starters.
You might have noticed in the Orange Bowl that Kansas’ overall talent was on par with Virginia Tech’s. You also might have noticed Missouri held Arkansas to 164 rushing yards in the Cotton Bowl — that’s the same Razorback squad that rolled up 394 rushing yards in a three-overtime triumph over Louisiana State.
One thing we can say with great certainty: Nebraska, with a dozen returning starters, won’t be favored to win the Big 12 North in 2008. The Huskers probably ought to be picked, say, fourth.
Yes, sir, it’s almost time for Bo Pelini to roll up his Big Red sleeves. Come Tuesday, it might still feel as though he’s working two jobs, given the intense stretch of recruiting ahead, the reclamation project he faces with Nebraska’s defense, and the stiff competition within the North Division.
“It’s a different conference than it was four years ago, just in terms of balance,” Carl Pelini says, referring to the Pelinis’ one-year stint at Nebraska in 2003. “You just look at Kansas offensively and defensively and Missouri offensively and defensively, and Colorado taking a step forward.”
So, should Nebraska fans temper expectations?
“No, you don’t temper expectations,” Carl Pelini says. “You just have to understand what your obstacles are going to be. But you can never temper expectations. Nebraska’s got the fan base and facilities and all of the bullets you need. We should be at the top. But you also know you have to battle every week.”
For Bo Pelini, it’s first things first — a national title’s on the line for the guys in purple and gold.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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