Following up on reports that surfaced late last week, Nebraska is officially in the market for a new defensive coordinator.
At a press conference Monday afternoon, FAU introduced Carl Pelini as its new head coach. Pelini has spent the past four seasons as the Cornhuskers’ defensive coordinator.
The older brother of Bo Pelini will replace Howard Schnellenberger, who announced prior to the start of the 2011 season that he would be retiring at the end of what turned out to be a one-win season.
“With Howard Schnellenberger’s announcement of retirement in August, I had an extended period of time to identify a number of quality candidates,” said athletic director Craig Angelos.
“After a lengthy span of interviewing, evaluating and in-person meetings, I strongly believe that Carl brings the most to FAU. His experience, organization, discipline, passion, recruiting and accomplishments will lead the Owls to the next level. With the addition of our beautiful new stadium and the fertile recruiting area that exists in South Florida, I firmly believe that Carl will make FAU a national contender very soon
This will be Pelini’s first head-coaching job at the collegiate level, although he was a head coach in high school back in his native state of Ohio.
“I would like to thank the FAU administration and the University community for this opportunity,” said Pelini. “I see great potential here at FAU to build a program of which the entire community will be proud. My vision for this program is to continue the mission of the university to prepare our student-athletes for success well beyond football.”