Bo Knows Football

The Nebraska Cornhusker’s new coach is Bo Pelini. Let’s say it again now, with feeling. The Nebraska Cornhusker’s new coach is Bo Pelini. Whew. It really feels like exciting times are upon us right now. Pelini’s football history has been filled with success under the tutelage some of history’s greatest coaches. Having Dr. Tom Osborne around will draw some additional greatness out of Bo.

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In 1987, the legendary Earle Bruce was coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Bruce was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. A National Coach of the Year Winner in 1979, Bruce had a long and successful career in leading his teams to his all time record of 154-90-2. In 1988, John Cooper took over for 12 years, compiling the second best win-loss record in Ohio State history. Under Cooper, Pelini was a starter at free safety for his final two years. His passion was evident even then, winning the “Bo Rein Award” his senior year for being the most inspirational player.

At Iowa, as a graduate assistant, Hayden Fry was Bo’s next boss. Fry went on to mentor such great coaches as Barry Alvarez, Bill Snyder (boo), Kirk Ferentz, Bob Stoops, Mike Stoops, and Jim Leavitt. Fry gave Leavitt a graduate assistant job just two years before Pelini.

After a couple year stint as a high school QB coach, George Seifert hired Bo as a scouting assistant in 1994. Seifert lead the 49ers to his second Super Bowl Victory just one year later. His teams have posted a 124-67 record. His leadership included the guidance of coaches such as Mike Shanahan, Jeff Fisher, and Pete Carroll.

Pete Carroll was head coach of the Patriots when Pelini joined the team. While acceptable at New England, few can argue the feats Carroll has accomplished with his perennial powerhouse USC Trojans. Pelini was there until 1999, when he joined Mike Sherman’s staff at Green Bay.

Bo Pelini has had plenty of schooling in the recent years from future hall of fame coaches such as Bob Stoops and Les Miles. In every year Pelini has progressed at each job he has held. With the greatest coach in the land, Tom Osborne, around to show him a few things, we could see true greatness from Bo. In baseball, pundits talk about “upside potential.” Pelini is the coach with a great pedigree and all the signs of a wonderful upside. Hopefully after a few Big 12 and National Championships, we can all get the opportunity to discuss all the great coaches and players who went on to their careers after learning from the great Bo Pelini.