The Legend of Bo Pelini
30 comments so far
December 3, 2007 by
Many Husker fans likely know the thumbnail description of their new head coach, Bo Pelini. He's had jobs in the NFL, did a stint as defensive coordinator at NU in 2003, and worked at Oklahoma and then LSU. They probably know that Tom Osborne says he possesses the three qualities he was looking for - an emphasis on defense, the ability to lead and teach, and some knowledge of NU's history and tradition. Fans may also know a thing or two about Pelini the man, like how his wife's name is Mary Pat and that they have three kids. But, few know the real stories about Pelini.
NU football fans will really want to know their new head coach. Thankfully, I've done the real hard hitting journalism work to find the truth. Here are just a few items I've unearthed so far.
- Mark "Bo" Pelini was born 6 weeks premature. He designed a blitz to help him escape from his mother's uterus early.
- Athletic funds ran short at Cardinal Mooney High when Pelini had his first job as an assistant coach. They couldn't purchase new footballs. So Pelini killed a wild boar with his bare hands and sewed the hide in to footballs for the team to use.
- Pelini grew up in Youngstown Ohio, at the same time as Bob Stoops. Pelini once made out with Stoops' girlfriend...and made Stoops watch. It was so beautiful, Stoops wept.
- Despite the quick recruiting work Pelini has to do at Nebraska, he isn't worried at all about the NCAA's ban on text messaging. He communicates with players telepathically.
- Bo Pelini wasn't offered the Nebraska job. He took it.
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doombob Dec 03 07
Bo Pelini once punched a hole in a cow just to see who was coming up the road. And he sweats Gatorade. Bo can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.
sb Dec 03 07
Is there any legit speculation on assistants at this point?
Tyler Dec 03 07
Very funny. The expectations for him are exceedingly high. i hope he can meet them.
One good early sign was his answer to how he'd handle the expectations.....basically....."I welcome them, I don't listen to other's expectations because I'm too busy meeting my own.
Wow!
Scott Dec 03 07
"You serious, Clark?"
"Shut up, Eddie."
Katie Dec 03 07
I heard today that Bo is arranging a deal with the BCS. If a playoff system is put into place, Nebraska automatically qualifies every year. The officials said "It's Bo Pelini, how could we say no?"
Scott Dec 03 07
This just in......
Since being hired, Bo Pelini feels he is doing an excellent job in all areas.
OU7times Dec 03 07
Wow! Bo's some kinda guy! To hear you talk you'd think he could coach football too. Look, I know that you just got over the 4 years of "smoke and mirrors", Callahan style, but get a grip. What if Bo only wins 4-5 games next year including the yearly "baked goods" known as non-conference teams? This is all sounding too familiar. Keep it in perspective, jeez.
Darren Dec 03 07
Katie - Let's not get carried away. Only Notre Dame gets that kind of consideration. ;-) Besides, under Pelini, NU won't measure excellence with championships. It will be measured by global domination. Yeah...he's lookin at you, China.
Scott - "Excellence in All Areas" has been trademark protected by Bill Callahan's agent. It's the title of his forthcoming book.
OU7 - Note the "satire" tag on this post. Besides, there is nothing wrong with having a folk hero coach. Or are you just sad because Bo took Stoops' girl in high school?
OU7times Dec 03 07
Sad? No. Sickened? TOTALLY!! I know, I know, it's satire but just the thought...Hey, I never said it was wrong to have a folk hero coach. And why not? You've already had a movie star look-a-like for a "head coach". You guys deserve something nice for a change.
GoHskrs Dec 03 07
Katie, I believe you're thinking of Notre Dame there, not Nebraska. 8^)
But as long as we're on the Jack Bauer -- uh, Bo Pelini meme:
There are two hands that can beat a royal flush. Bo's right hand and Bo's left hand.
Matt Dec 03 07
Bo Pelini's nose is really a fist!
F'N HILLBILLY Dec 03 07
That were'nt no girlfriend of Bob Stoops and it were'nt no "girl" either. Heh,heh...
DT Dec 03 07
-Bo Pelini's first job was as a paperboy. There were no survivors.
-Bo Pelini once participated in the running of the bulls. He walked.
-Bo Pelini uses 8'x10' sheets of plywood as toilet paper.
(Actually, they once made a Bo Pelini toilet paper, but there was a problem-- It wouldn't take sh*t from anybody.)
-Bo Pelini once challenged Lance Armstrong in a "Who has more testicles?" contest. Bo Pelini won by 5.
-In a recent survey it was discovered the 94% of American women lost their virginity to Bo Pelini. The other 6% were incredibly fat or ugly.
-Bo Pelini was widely predicted to be first black NU head football coach. If you're thinking to yourself, "But Bo Pelini isn't black", then you are dead wrong. And stop being a racist.
Scott Dec 03 07
OU7times....
Nice game the other night....way to open up the can. I think Chase Daniel knows why they were underdogs now.
DT Dec 03 07
Not joking this time...
Anagram for Mark "Bo" Pelini:
"I'm a broken lip"
ze bop Dec 03 07
Thanks for the 'hard' journalism--that's funny stuff!
They say that BOP is a great motivator in the lockerroom, but I think he mainly uses threats & fear tactics:
BOP: "Ya-z is playin' like a buncha girl scouts outta d'ere--AND what's worse-a is ya-z forgots to bringa DA COOKIES!
Now, I'ma gonna say this once and ONLY ONCE, either ya-z getta out there and play like MEN, like starvin' CONQUISTEDORES or-z my brotha Vinni here isa gonna break alla ya-z legs for ya-z at da end a da game!"
"Ya-z gotta problem wi'h dat?!"
(players shaking in shoes...)
ze bop Dec 03 07
DT,
please post more, that sh*&t's hilarious!
DT Dec 03 07
When Bo Pelini's wife burned the turkey this Thanksgiving, Bo said, "don't worry about it honey," and went into his backyard. He came back five minutes later with a live turkey, ate it whole, and when he threw it up a few seconds later it was fully cooked and came with cranberry sauce. When his wife asked him how he had done it, he gave her a roundhouse kick to the face and said, "Never question Bo Pelini."
DT Dec 03 07
Actually ze bop, I'm just ripping off some favorites from that old Chuck Norris routine.
Here's a good link...just substitute "Bo Pelini" for every mention of "Chuck Norris" and return to whatever it was you were doing two or three hours later...
http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/
Jon Johnston Dec 03 07
I like it.... very good.
He make Stoops watch? Eeewwwww
Daryl Dec 03 07
The
greatest College Football Coach of all time is being voted on at the ESPN website right now. Voting closes on the 6th at noon. Bear Bryant leads with 41% of the vote. Tom Osborne is second with 39%. All others are "also rans". If you think Tom is the greatest, get on NOW and vote. Post this to other sites. Tell your friends. BO BIG RED ! !
Mase Dec 03 07
OMG, ROFL, you people are hilarious! The mood has definitely gotten better around here. I love it! Just want to say, go Huskers! I hope Bo can get this turned around!
PS - Bo doesn't sleep...he waits.
ze bop Dec 04 07
DT.
Cooo!
I'ma gonna like-a dis 'Legend of BO'--ongoing folk hero....
saunders45 Dec 04 07
When Bo Pelini wants popcorn, he breathes on Nebraska.
James Moore Dec 04 07
Seems that we just plucked a TE out of Iowa who just happens to be Coach Cotton's son. Wonder if we might be able to get a decommitment or two from LSU to come up here. I'd like to hope that Coach Pelini will be able to hold on to some of our soft verbals. . .
cvldfg Dec 04 07
ESPN just came out with a poll as to who is "The greatest college football coach ever":
And Bo Pelini was on the list.....and leading!
ze bop Dec 04 07
I remember back in the day('Wednesday'--the 'DAY')--when BO and me used to kick around back in Ohi-ah, and he once said to me, 'Yo, Ze Bop, how'sa about I shows ya-z my 'guns'?!'
I sez: 'Sure, BOP, your my HERO and I'd be right proud if ya showed me your 'guns'!'
So BOP rolls up his sleaves and much to my surprise he had derringers straped to each of his biceps! Then, he shimmeys up his pant leg and there's a semi automatic pistol secured to his ankle!
Don't get me wrong, I mean the guy was RIPPED, but he's been 'mafioso' from day one! And that's a quality I just love in a HC!
Ya-z gotta problem w'ih DAT......?!
jzcm74 Dec 04 07
All kidding aside, you have to understand the Cardinal Mooney high school program and Youngstown Ohio roots that Bo comes from. He began his coaching career under the legendary Don Bucci in a program that emphasized conditioning, execution and discipline. Nebraska had a glimpse of him in 2003 and now you will see that his style and expertise will bring back the glory that once was Husker football.
Incidentally, that same high school produced 2 other coaches at the college level, The Stoops brothers
K Dec 05 07
To the previous post - Cardinal Mooney was just in its 4th consecutive state championship football game. It won 2 of the 4 and the 2 it didn't win had lost its star player/quarterback before the game. This year it lost with a blocked extra point with 7 seconds left.
Everywhere that Bo has been has been very successful on the defensive side of the ball. He has strong opinions on offense (who knows more about what gives defenses trouble) and you all will be very surprised at his early results. Nobody can "coach up" a kid like Bo. When others get 50-70% potential out of players, he will get much more than that.
Nebraska has players that need taught how to play. All I can say is Big 12 North, savor this year, brace yourself for next year. I can't wait for OU vs. Nebraska. That will be a backyard war...
bob Dec 09 07
Are you joking me? OU ran Bolimpy off after our secondary got lit up for 2 seasons. Good luck Hucksters!