Pelini Sees Bigger Picture
9 comments so far
May 30, 2008 by
One of the many things that I find endearing about Bo Pelini (along with his great defenses) is that he makes time to take his kids to school each day and allows all of his assistants to do the same. It would be all too easy for Pelini to fall into the trap of leaving home before his kids wake up and return home after they fall asleep. To the kids, he’d be a parent in title only and something of a stranger they might only see a bit on weekends.
Perhaps absorbing the wisdom of Harry Chapin’s “Cat’s in the Cradle” (see Ever, Most Depressing Songs) Pelini realizes that a father’s job is more than simply providing. Sociologists point to a failure to recognize this as a major cause of divorce. There are still a great number of husbands who believe they have no responsibilities beyond earning a paycheck and a great number of women who realize they can get child support without having a man to cook for and clean up after. Any Dad who doesn’t contribute more than a paycheck, isn’t likely to see his kids more than a custody agreement allows (cue Toby Keith’s “I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying”).
The NCAA runs a great series of ads pointing out how most student athletes will be going pro in something other than their sport. It always seemed that Nebraska’s athletics was true to that mission, in graduating a high number of kids and having many of them excel academically. Beyond the classroom, head coaches are also father figures and role models to the players they lead. Pelini sets no better example for his players than that of concerned and attentive Dad.
It serves as a great lesson to his players that no matter how busy they are and how high the stakes, to make time for their families. Pelini says you have to go about things the right way all of the time. But he doesn’t just say it. He lives it.
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OU7times May 30 08
I sure hope he pans out as a head coach.
Grant May 30 08
Me too. I'm guilty of thinking him the second coming....a lot of expectations/assumptions for a guy with as little experience as he has. However...I will agree, that Pelini gets it. Not just the topic discussed here, but he gets Nebraska, which has been sorely missed by the fan base over the last 4 years. That alone will give him some breathing room for at least...3 months! :)
KC May 30 08
Having three boys myself I agree with the article... but if he doesn't win he will have plenty of time to spend with his family...
Matt May 30 08
Great observations! Ever read Tony Dungee's book? He makes it a point to encourage his coaches, players, and staff to put their family first. Coaching by nature is a reclusive position, so I'm sure it takes a huge effort to put other things first. In any job, you perform at your best when the "big stuff" is taken care of.
Brad May 31 08
KC,
If he doesn't win, he might have to protect his kids from harassment.
His kids are probably a little young for our fans to go after if they are pissed, but you never know.
The lasting coaching staff's kids couldn't get away from Nebraska and its "values" soon enough.
It is nice to hear that Pelini is a good family man, however.
cvldfg May 31 08
I am one sold on BO. To me, I think he could be a lifer with NU, because he gets it. I know my expectations are high for him, but if he gets us back to the 40 years of football before callasham, I will be more than satisfied.
9 wins, Academic All Americans, pride, respect, fear, physicality and great defense. I have said this from day one, HE GETS US!!!!
Laner May 31 08
Give it a rest.
Do you smear all groups the same way you do fan bases using a small minority as the basis for your *logic*? Really, I know it's the path of least resistance, but do try to leave the intellectual dishonesty behind once in a while.
Greg Morrow Jun 01 08
The commitment of caring. To care- and be good at it.
That isn't something to compartmentalize, it's something that needs to be pervasive, persuasive. Looks like there's a few other non burned out "carers" on the staff. Ron Brown, for a ready example.
The kids on the team know to not be found in the wilds of downtown and to be found in the classroom and at academic support. They know he cares and they know they don't want him up in their grills (with those caring eyes).
In that regard, his kids on the team and his at home, have that in common.
They're being taken care of.
donfl Jun 02 08
In my past corporate career, I was one of those who is guilty of not spending enough quality time with my two sons. I am so fortunate to have a wife who filled in for me when I was in CA. MA, TX or where ever, that they ended up being great adults. I now have a GREAT relationship with both of them an I owe it all to her abilitly to understand what it takes to raise children. Looking back would I have done things differently? Probably yes. Would our sons have turned out to be better people? I think not. Kudos to those spouses who step up and cover for us who are so consumed by personal success that we fail to smell the roses.