There’s more controversy coming from Texas A&M’s 9-6 win over Nebraska Saturday night.
In addition to the several story lines already seeping out of College Station, there’s now word that Nebraska coach Bo Pelini may be in hot water with his own university.
Today, Nebraska Chancellor Harvey Perlman called Pelini’s numerous outbursts, many of which were directed at game officials, “unfortunate.” During the loss, Pelini was seen on several occassions yelling and generally losing his freaking mind at referees and, at one point, even his own sidelined quarterback, Taylor Martinez.
“I think it was very unfortunate,” Perlman said, “and I think it’s something we’ll have to address with Bo.”
By now, of course, it’s known that Pelini (and probably the rest of the Husker Nation) took the 16 penalties for 145 yards the Huskers received, including a few personal foul penalties, a little personal — the conspiracy theory being that somehow the penalties were a cheap shot at Nebraska for leaving the Big 12 for the Big Ten over the summer.
As for Pelini’s confrontation with Martinez, Perlman said it’s just part of the game, but that he and Tom Osbourne would also deal with Pelini regarding the matter.
“There is a part of the culture of intercollegiate athletics that involves coaches talking strongly to players,” Perlman insisted. “That’s unfortunate it had to happen on national television. I think that probably occurs in a lot of programs.”
Pelini is a fiery guy and football is a passionate sport, so the fact that Pelini was as angry as he was shouldn’t have come as any great shock to anyone. What Pelini does need to be careful of, though, is incurring future fines and developing the reputation for being a complete psychopath.
If you think that’s not a big deal, ask Mike Leach, Jim Levitt and Mark Mangino.
(A thank you: ESPN Dallas.com)
I thought they would wait until the Big 12 title game to screw them. I guess they wanted to make a preemptive strike.
I can totally understand Pelini being PO’d… I mean, on one play we lose 30 yards because some twisted Aggie want a piece of Husker junk. Now if a couple of guys get suspended for a game for late hits this past year then this guy should get at least 2 games… one for each nut.
All that aside, Pelini (both, his brother dismantled a camera of a reporter after the game) needs to control himself. He looked like an ass. Rumor has it Martinez quit the team Saturday night but it sounds Pelini talked him into staying… almost sounds like the Crouch scenario from 10 years ago.
If Pelini wants to show how good of a coach he is, this is going to be the toughest part. He needs to put back the parts that are falling off the wagon right now. Saturday is done. Beat Colorado and then win the Big 12 title.
Then get out of dodge and wait for July 1, 2011.
Bo is a freaking psychopath…what recruit would watch that guy’s act and say “Man I gotta go get me a piece of that”…
Mistreating players is a career killer-
Shouldn’t the coaches emotional behavior level be higher than the kids he’s coaching? Or at least higher than a 5th grader?
Total snowjob on Bo! He knew going into the game that the Conference wouldn’t let him win this game and would go all out with frequent and frivolous penalties to doom the team. Good move to the Big 10.