Oh Boy: Bo Pelini Went on Rant Against Nebraska A.D After Firing

((ht: omaha.com))

Yikes! Talk about leaving the earth scorched behind you. And we're guessing that new Youngstown State coach Bo Pelini and Nebraska athletic director Shawn Eichorst won't be exchanging Christmas Cards.

The Omaha World-Herald got ahold of an audio tape of Pelini's last meeting with his former team on December 2nd.

And in it, he calls Eichorst, someone he says wanted nothing to do with him or his team...a "total prick" and a "total cunt".

And that was only a small portion of the expletive filled rant that Pelini says was borne of his frustration and aggravation that had built during the last two years of his tenure.

Pelini added he's happy to now be somewhere where the school president (Former Ohio St. coach Jim Tressel) "Understands Football".

Geez...

Read the rest of the story from the Herald RIGHT HERE

Talk about leaving on bad terms. Pelini is currently due a pro-rated portion of his $7.9 million buyout. However there's talk that disparaging comments might affect that payout.

Either way, he's obviously happy to leave.

The question we have is this: If Pelini felt so comfortable saying this to his players and coaches, why would one or the other have leaked this rant?

Yeah....

We're guessing Nebraska's gift to Bo this year might be a box of kitty litter.

Here's a story on Pelini's arrival in Youngstown from WKBN-TV:

Uh Okay: Nebraska Hires Mike Riley

Raise your hands if you saw this coaching hire coming.

Nebraska has a new football coach--and no, it's not who you thought it might be. The Cornhuskers announced Wednesday afternoon they've hired now former Oregon State coach Mike Riley to be their new head coach.

Riley replaces Bo Pelini who was let go just over a week ago. He was at Oregon State for the past 14 years compiling a 93-80 record. His teams were competitive, but he was never able to compete with the remote Corvallis, Oregon location and the big Nike bucks fueling arch rival Oregon.

Riley inherits a Cornhusker program that has been good but not great for the past few seasons under Pelini. The Cornhusker alumni still imagine themselves a national power, which is no longer true, but brings added pressure to the job.

Props to Nebraska AD Shawn Eichorst who conducted his search largely in the shadows. A rumor leaked earlier this week saying Eichorst had interest in Arkansas coach Bret Bielema, but that was quickly shot down.

The search was a direct contrast to the highly visible and shaky search conducted by Florida who finally announced their hire of Jim McElwain earlier in the morning.

Bielema Back To The Big Ten? Could Be Headed To Nebraska? (UPDATED)

UPDATE AT BOTTOM OF STORY

Football Scoop.com is citing sources that Nebraska athletic director Shawn Eihorst has Arkansas

head coach Bret Bielema in his cross hairs and wants the Boss Hog to move north to Lincoln, Nebraska to coach the Cornhuskers.

Getty Images

Bielema and Eihorst have a relationship dating back to their Wisconsin days.  Eihorst wore many hats in the Badger athletic department from 2006 - 2011 moving up the latter as Deputy A.D. under Barry Alvarez.

Of course Bielema was the head coach of the Badgers.

The current Razorback head coach was asked about his commitment to Arkansas during a teleconference with local reporters.

“I took this opportunity without anybody knowing about it or hearing about it. … I’m not one of those coaches that gets my name involved or anything like that. When I started talking to Arkansas, I told them, ‘If my name comes out in a way other than my own release, then I’m going to be out of this conversation.' It’s just how I’ve always operated. … I can't tell you how excited I am for next year. Obviously, my commitment to Arkansas is long-term."

Should the two parties reach an agreement then Nebraska would have to pony up $2.5 million to buy out Bielema's contract.

Would Bielema bolt Arkansas to return to the Big Ten Conference?  Nebraska would seem to be a great fit for his system.

You have to ask why would he make that move to leave an Arkansas program that has some momentum.  

The carousel keeps spinning

Chris Low of ESPN.com spoke to Bielema Wednesday afternoon.

Talked to Bret Bielema and he said he's not going to Nebraska and that he's all Hog.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) December 3, 2014

Bielema has worked too hard to get the Hogs' program to a point where they can compete in the West to bolt now.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) December 3, 2014

BREAKING: Nebraska fires Bo Pelini

You gotta win some big games, Coach... (photo courtesy AP)

LINCOLN--Apparently seven consecutive winning seasons and an overall 67-27 record are not enough to keep a job as head coach of the University of Nebraska football program.

Mark "Bo" Pelini was relieved of his coaching duties this morning, after dropping two of his last three regular season games this season. He ended his Nebraska tenure by losing to #20 Wisconsin, #25 Minnesota, and then defeating Iowa in a shootout yesterday.

This was Pelini's first head coaching gig, and he never really established the Cornhuskers as a national championship-contending team. Consistency is one thing - Pelini won at least nine games every season. However, people in power in Lincoln apparently did not believe Pelini's leadership could take Nebraska to the next level in the Big Ten, or the BCS for that matter. He never won a conference championship at Nebraska, and we all know that's the death knell for a high profile college coach.

"Earlier this morning, I informed coach Bo Pelini of our decision to move forward in a new direction. Coach Pelini served our University admirably for seven years and led our football program’s transition to the Big Ten Conference,” Shawn Eichorst, Nebraska's athletic director, said in a press release this morning. “We wish Coach Pelini and his wonderful family all the best and thank him for his dedicated service to the University."

UNL chancellor Harvey Perlman expressed his confidence in Eichorst.

“I fully support Shawn’s decision to make a change in the leadership of our football program, and wish Bo and his family all of the best," Perlman said in a press release. "I am confident that Shawn will find the best coach, teacher and fit for this University and for our football program."

According to the Lincoln, NE Journal-Star's HuskerExtra, per Pelini's last contract, NU is on the hook to pay him $7.65 million, owing him $150,000 monthly for the next 51 months. All assistants coaches, and football strength coach James Dobson, were on contract until January 2016. They would be owed a total of just over $3.1 million combined.

A press conference is scheduled for 1 p.m.

More coming...

Nebraska Fans Not Calling For Bo Pelini To Be Fired

Bo Pelini

{HT: Lincoln (Neb.) Journal-Star}

Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini dared his athletic director Shawn Eichorst to fire him during a bizarre post game tirade during his press conference following the Cornhuskers 38-17 loss to Iowa.

Perhaps Husker fans are more "Pro-Bo"

After the game the Lincoln Journal Star surveyed Nebraska fans as to whether Bo Pelini should stay or go.

Norm Phiffer from Lincoln, NE says Bo should stay.

Nebraska A.D. Shawn Eichorst

"No, absolutely not. You can’t make changes every six years, change guys every six years and expect to have a successful program. We need to stay with what we’ve got.”

Husker fans don't take to kindly though to offensive coordinator Tim Beck or defensive coordinator John Papuchis.

"I think Tim Beck and John Papuchis should, be (fired) though."  Dan McMullen from Council Bluffs, Iowa said.  "I think they’re taking him down. I think Bo is a hell of a coach, but his coordinators will drag him down.”

The only opinion that matter is Eichorst who says he will evaluate Pellini's performance at the end of the season.

You wonder if Pelini teed up Eichorst to pull the trigger and fire him during his post game melt down in front of the assembled media.

It's going to be an interesting few days in Lincoln.

Iowa Beats Nebraska and Bo Pelini Dares Someone to Fire Him

It must be rough being Bo Pelini these days. Never mind what happened to brother Carl at Florida Atlantic, Bo's got his own problems.

Those problems start--and end with a restless Cornhusker fanbase who are increasingly unhappy with Pelini and his performance.

Iowa is the latest to add to the beat Nebraska war cry, beating the Cornhuskers 38-17 in Lincoln. The Hawkeyes took advantage of 2 Ron Kellogg III interceptions sending Nebraska to their 3rd home loss of the season.

The loss left Nebraska at 8-4 on the season, 5-3 in the Big 10, Iowa improves to the same record. And unfortunately, after a great win by Iowa, all anyone could talk about is Nebraska coach Bo Pelini.

Pelini has been under fire by alumni (most notably Tommy Frazier) and much of the fanbase for their perceived under-performance of the team. However, to fire the $3 million a year coach is going to take a lot of money and a big leap of faith by AD Shawn Eichorst.

For his part Pelini immediately added fuel to the fire by stating in his post game presser "If they want to fire me, go ahead" adding he was proud of his and the teams accomplishments and that the program is heading in the right direction.

And he may not totally be wrong.

It's not like Nebraska has been terrible. Though they haven't been the Nebraska of the 1990's and earlier. And that's something that the fans and alumni need to remember. For every coaching change that helps improve the program, consider what happened to Tennessee when they fired Philip Fulmer, the Vols haven't been relevant since that happened.

Your highlights from ESPN

Tommie Frazier vs. Bo Pelini: Nebraska Mad (Madder Now That 2 Year Old Effing Rant Is Out...?)

My, my, my...it sure appears that the faithful followers of the Nebraska Cornhuskers (a) have short memories and (b) both the fans and coaches have awfully thin skin.

The Cornhusker faithful were rather vocal after their school got trounced by the UCLA Bruins on Saturday night in Lincoln 41-21.

And no, while the team hasn't returned to their success of the 1970's, where they were regular contenders for the national title, they've won 9 games per year for the past 5 years under coach Bo Pelini. But Pelini hasn't gotten them to the promised land, a BCS game.

But that appears to not be enough.

Former Nebraska QB Tommie Frazier (@touchdowntommie) was perhaps one of the most critical of the game Saturday, taking to Twitter:

After letting it sink in for about 4 hours I still struggling. It's time to get rid of the defensive play caller, the Dc, lb dl and db coaches. I hate saying this but this crap is getting old. How in the hell do you not make adjustments or put your players in the position to compete? If this is what is going to happen for the remainder of the season, count me out. I don't care if we lose a game but the way we are losing is just not what #Nebraska fans deserve. I have fought, bled, and cried over this program. I didn't do all that for the program to become what it has today. Time for change! I will comment about the offense this week on Tommie's X's and O's. Trust me you don't want to miss it. #Huskers

That angered Pelini who was asked about the comment at his Monday press availability. His response per Steven Sipple of Huskers Extra "If he feels like that, we don't need him"

To which Frazier said; "I said what I said, He's right: He doesn't need me. He needs someone to help him. But what he's doing is not what the Nebraska fans deserve, period".

The Huskers are 2-1 this season, which is far from over. Sure they've given up 29 points a game, which isn't a good sign. But they play in the crappy Big 10, where anyone has a chance. They play the FCS South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Saturday before the conference schedule kicks in.

Our thoughts: Quit whining bitches. Yeah, sure, you can get rid of Pelini, who's probably not going to be Tom Osborne. But he's not Bill Callahan either. Consider the next guy may not be as good as the guy you currently have.

You good with that?

Keep some perspective. You'll never be what you were in the 1970's and early '80's. Very few ever are.

In the meantime, keep the public feud going, it's a great way to keep Sports Writers and Bloggers entertained.

In case you didn't see the above mentioned UCLA game:



PM UPDATE: And, now Pelini has had to apologize for a rant that he had two years ago talking about effing-Nebraska fair weather fans...
((HT: LostLettermen))


"I want to sincerely apologize for my comments from two years ago which became public today," Pelini said in a statement. "I take full responsibility for these comments. They were spoken in a private room following the Ohio State game. I was venting following a series of emotional events which led to this moment. That being said, these comments are in no way indicative of my true feelings. I love it here in Nebraska and feel fortunate to be associated with such a great University and fan base. I again apologize to anyone whom I have offended."

Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman said he was disappointed by the comments:

"We are taking some time to consider it and what impact it would have on the university."

Athletic director Shawn Eichorst said he talked to Pelini about the rant.

"I am disheartened and disappointed by the 2011 comments published today attributed to Coach Pelini about our dedicated and passionate fans and supporters," Eichorst said in a statement. "I have spoken with Chancellor Perlman and I have addressed the situation with Bo and expressed our deep concern."

The HQ thinks the other Pelini in Florida may last at his job longer than the one in Lincoln...