Early Sunday morning, the Nebraska Cornhuskers announced head coach Bo Pelini has been fired.
Pelini’s tumultuous tenure as Cornhuskers head coach comes to a dramatic conclusion after seven years of solid play. Pelini’s hiring brought hope that Nebraska would return to being a national powerhouse, but he never was able to earn elite status.
Athletic director Shawn Eichorst released a statement Sunday discussing the decision.
“Earlier this morning, I informed coach Bo Pelini of our decision to move forward in a new direction. Coach Pelini served our University admirably for seven years and led our football program’s transition to the Big Ten Conference. We wish Coach Pelini and his wonderful family all the best and thank him for his dedicated service to the University,” Eichorst’s statement read.
Just a season ago, Pelini received a contract extension through the 2019 season; however, the school decided to go in a “new direction” and will owe Pelini roughly $7.65 million per the buyout in his contract. Nebraska was Pelini’s first head coaching gig after spending time as both Oklahoma and LSU’s defensive coordinator. Pelini has improved the overall direction of the program, but failed to show the athletic department his Cornhuskers were ready to take the next step as a premier program.
Despite a career record of 67-27 and nine wins in each of his seven seasons, Pelini was unable to bring a conference championship to Lincoln, suffering three losses during every campaign. Furthermore, Nebraska struggled against the AP Top 25, going a very mediocre 8-17 and never qualifying for a BCS Bowl game.
The Cornhuskers showed great resiliency in Saturday’s come-from-behind win over Iowa bringing their 2014 campaign to a 9-3 finish, but it may have been the last win of Pelini’s time. It remains unclear whether or not Pelini will coach the team’s bowl game, but beyond that the Cornhuskers’ future at head coach is uncertain.
*Section Photo credit to Otto Greule Jr., Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Reese Strickland, USA Today Sports
