As a fan, Pelini should understand
8 comments so far
October 23, 2009 by
In a non-football context, the most interesting thing about Bo Pelini might be that he's a fan of the Cleveland Indians. It's not that there aren't other coaches out there who are avid fans of professional sports franchises or sports in general, but few are so forthcoming with their fandom. Spending a lot of time checking box scores or marveling at Shin-Soo Choo's OPS generally doesn't mesh with the cot in the office, always be recruiting archetype of a college football coach.
But Pelini is a proud fan of the Indians. He tweets about the Indians, he wears their memorabilia, he sends his memorabilia to their catcher, and he even puts Chief Wahoo lawn art in his yard. Do you think Nick Saban is a fan of anything (oatmeal creme pies and Redman excepted)? Was Brooklyn-born Joe Paterno staying up late to watch the Dodgers' playoff games?
Neither seems very likely and this makes me like Bo Pelini even more. Being a sports fan is humanizing, not just for people of moderate celebrity like Pelini, but for all of us. We attach ourselves to teams to feel a part of something larger, something communal. Essentially, we brand ourselves as a member of a tribe and, as an avid fan of the Tribe, I assume Bo Pelini understands this.
So why has the coach spent so much time this week very publicly circling the wagons around his program? Are we the fans really that bad?
To his credit, Pelini claims that he does understand:
"I've been around negativity. I understand how fans are, how people are. I understand they turn on you in a second. That's part of the deal. It doesn't bother me one way or the other. I'm going to do my job. I like challenges. I like that aspect of it. This football team, what we have to get done, is beyond that. It's about executing. It's about playing our type of football and I think that's going to happen on Saturday. I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Using the phrase "I understand" in this context is basically a disclaimer. Think back to any argument you've ever had and somewhere in there you probably heard, "I understand that...but..." It's a way for the arguer to appear deferential while quickly getting to their larger point and for much of this week the larger point has been negativity from the Nebraska fan base.
Over the last five days comments from Pelini, Watson, Suh and Lee have all, in one way or another, used the term "you guys", a phrase that draws a clear line in the sand between program and followers. "You guys" wonder if the team has a preference at quarterback. "You guys" don't have the proper perspective to analyze this offense. "You guys" are capable of heaping a lot of pressure on college kids. None of this offends me because, to some degree, all of those things are true. It's the oldest coaching ploy in the book--us against the world--and, when used privately, it's quite effective.
When used publicly, however, it's embarrassing. That's the difference. I don't feel entitled to anything from the Nebraska football program. They provide me with something that I enjoy and I provide them with fan support. Ultimately this results in me providing them with some money to keep providing me that thing that I enjoy. I never look at it as an adversarial relationship unless, like this week, it's specifically laid out as one.
The mentality displayed by Bo Pelini's program this week is rooted in a good bit of truth. That's why it feels uncomfortable. Fans can be fanatical and that's a particularly tough line to walk when dealing with collegiate sports.
There's a level of connection to a university and its teams possible at the college level that doesn't exist in the professional ranks. Nebraska's a unique case here due to the lack of competing options, but you could easily say that the majority of fans of Iowa State probably have a direct link somewhere in their family to the university. The vast minority of New York Giants fans, however, have any real connection to the organization other than a rooting interest. That proximity between a college and it's supporters easily bring professional level fervor to an amateur game and in that gray area between passion and amateurism it sometimes gets ugly.
That said, it's a much better place to comfortably exist than the black and white areas we've occupied this week. Such a stark contrast between team and supporters is nothing new and neither is the public expression of that division. Bill Callahan is still lampooned on local radio for some of his more memorable comments in this regard, but in the present, just like back then, it still doesn't feel like a laughing matter.
I could claim to understand the unique pressure Bo Pelini faces as the head coach at Nebraska, but I can't. I'll never have a job with one-tenth the public scrutiny he and his staff have but that doesn't mean there's any value in calling that disparity into focus. Pelini will learn that. He's a young head coach prized for his heart on his sleeve nature, but he'll learn.
All he needs to do is remember his worst days as a Cleveland Indians fan, and, as a Cubs fan this feels somewhat foolish to say, that shouldn't be too hard.
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shane Oct 23 09
I love the realistic, clear-headed way you've been dealing with Coach Pelini's reactions to the recent criticism the program has received. The Coach probably doesn't have time to figure out exactly the intentions of every questioner and commentator when he is criticized, and thus has to go with his instincts on how to respond. It is clear that most of his attention and energy is focused on the team and the season, which is where it should be. I truly appreciate the way you've addressed his recent actions as something that he'll learn from (we fans have something to learn from this, too!), and I hope that your comments are read and headed both by some in the local media, by as many fans as possible (of course), and, maybe, by people who might advise Pelini in his behavior. Much Kudos.
AustinHusker Oct 23 09
Since I am not in NE I certainly dont get all the information many of the rest of you do. But I am not down on BO, the Huskers, or the program. Do I wish we would have won, of course. I was also traveling so I didnt get to see the intensity, or lack there off. Even with BC my issue was never with him as a person but with what I perceived as a lack of heart and intensity. That has always been a trademark of Husker football.
The last thing I want to see is Bo to move on. There are a hundred people waiting to take his job and 99.5 will be worse.
I am already on the bandwagon, that we are back. 9+ win seasons were all I knew for the first 35 years of my life. If I remember right last year was 9+ wins and this year might be as well.
I am loving this coach and this team. The heart shown at Mizz and VT aren't forgotten because on one bad game at home against TT. Does it suck yes, will we learn from it, I hope so.
One day to find out.
Later
James Moore Oct 23 09
This is still a very young team. I told myself that after the Virginia Tech game and sometimes it's helpful to remember that. We have 9, possibly 10 starters coming back next year on offense (a year wiser and smarter hopefully) and 6 on defense (minus House of Spears but hopefully Mr. Crick and Mr. Steinkuhler will be ready to go). We need to see these guys have the lightbulb go on for them sometime over these next 4 games. . .
RunTheBall Oct 23 09
I think Bo would understand why some Husker fans are so demanding if he had been a Yankee fan more than a Tribe fan. For 40 years we were much like the Yankees, always winning, always in the hunt for the championship, year after year. That gives us higher expectations that any Tribe fan can possibly understand. Now we've gone through a period where we have been more like the Indians than the Yankees, and that makes us hyper-sensitive to every perceived shortcoming.
I agree that the "us against them" mentality should be kept private within the team. It just sounds discordant to my ear when it is so casually asserted in public.
Greg Morrow Oct 23 09
I think the team might've had a clearer cleaner perspective, years ago. I think it was understood well enough that it pretty much went without saying. Tommie used the term "outsiders" once to point out what we didn't know about a particular issue. It was just a passing comment, it wasn't the main point. It was also a statement of fact.
The team was the team and outsiders were (are) just that.
Now, you've got Coaches sharing "tweets" and such.
Pilini will have to seach for a perspective that he can work with, that'll see him through his stint on campus. I'm not saying be "above" it, which I don't think has real genuine meaning. I mean having a peace about criticism storms that'll regularly blow his way, on the cold plains. Especially if one or both sides of the ball get "owned" more often.
I'm more concerned about his dealings with Conference Officials, than thin skin over criticism. That has more practical game time ramifications. He's improved a smidge, but following a Referee, making a face with a half stare glare, until another Ref runs up and lets him know to back off.
He's got to shake that. Why get a rep with conference officials? There's a limit to how often you can show guys up, in front of everybody. Pelini's close to reaching his.
This is Big 12 Conference Football, not the Big Leagues with Earl Weaver and Billy Martin and my favorite (because I'm younger)- Lou Piniella.
I still love the "what do you think?" to scribes, though. I think it was Christopherson who set that last one off.
Bill in Iowa Oct 23 09
There has been some argument whether the "boos" heard from the crowd last Sat. were directed toward the ref's or the players. I don't know I wasn't there, but based on a Pelini's quote earlier in the week he interpreted those "boos" as being directed toward Zach Lee. If that is the case, then I can't really blame him for feeling and even articulating this "us-them" mentality. I have made a post or two critiquing the play and play calling of the offense, there certainly is a place for criticism and playing a little arm chair coaching. However, booing players and coaches is out of place for any true Husker fan. Calling for Watson's job after one sloppy game (two if you count Mizzou) is reactionary. As fans, its almost theraputic to vent our frustrations, but there are certainly some lines we might pause to think about not crossing. A postive and supportive outlook toward our team will go a lot further in getting NU back to a national championship.
Pelini said Lee unfairly has become the poster child for all that ails the Huskers' offense:
“He feels like the whole state of Nebraska is against him,” Pelini said. “That would affect anybody. You fight through it, you persevere and take an ‘I'll-show-you' attitude. It's disappointing when people boo, but that's human nature.”
OmahaHusker Oct 23 09
I believe the "you guys" you are hearing from the team is directed towards the 'media' as a whole, rather than the fan base.
scott Oct 24 09
The media is the first to proclaim "we're back" after beating Missouri and the first to criticize after losing to Texas Tech. Bo Pelini said it'll get worse before it gets better, and that was after the season last year. He knows we're a long way from being back but the media won't drop it. A lot of fans, and media and bloggers want Green to start and feel he should. That's the coaches decision so leave it at that. If you don't like it, stop going to the games and stop watching. So shut up and cheer your team no matter who is playing at what position.
I feel good about the QB position but I think we have bigger issues at several positions.
The media is the best example of living in the past and trying to figure out the future instead of worrying about what is out there today.
Bo Pelini knows he has one thing to do and that is manage HIS football team. It's his football team more than it is the State of Nebraska's. We're supposed to be college football fans....not owners. Let's start acting like it.