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Pelini Named Nebraska Coach

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The Associated Press

Published: December 3, 2007

LINCOLN, Neb. - Bo Pelini is the new coach at Nebraska, leaving the defensive coordinator post at LSU for a job many Cornhusker fans thought he should have been given four years ago.
Interim athletic director and former head coach Tom Osborne announced Pelini's hiring Sunday, after introducing Pelini to the players.

"We need a head coach with strong defensive credentials and great leadership," Osborne said. "We were also looking for someone who can inspire confidence and get players to play with great effort.

"And, of course, we also wanted our new head coach to understand our traditions, including the importance of our walk-on program and the importance of football in this state."

It's the first head coaching job for the 39-year-old Pelini, who spent three years at LSU orchestrating one of the nation's top defenses. He replaces Bill Callahan, fired Nov. 24 after the Huskers' second losing season in four years.

Unlike Callahan, a former NFL coach many Nebraska fans never felt comfortable with, Pelini doesn't come to the football-crazed state as a stranger.

He was interim coach after Frank Solich was fired following the 2003 regular season and went on to coach the Huskers to an Alamo Bowl victory against Michigan State. As he walked off the field in San Antonio, Husker fans chanted "We want Bo."

"It's something I've worked a long time for," Pelini said Sunday of becoming a head coach.

Expectations are high at Nebraska, where football is king and the Cornhuskers are the only big-name program in the state. Pelini said he won't concern himself with the expectations, but appeared ready to embrace them.

"One of the unique aspects of this job ... is everything it means to the state," he said.

"It's like one big family."

Pelini said a contract hasn't been finalized, and he wouldn't discuss what he might be paid.

Osborne had said that the next coach didn't need to have Nebraska ties. Pelini was only at Nebraska in 2003, but his no-nonsense style of coaching defense and fiery demeanor quickly made him a beloved figure.

Pelini had been a candidate for the Nebraska job after Solich's firing.

CONNECTICUT: Coach Randy Edsall is staying with the Huskies.

Edsall traveled to Atlanta earlier this week to talk to Georgia Tech officials about their coaching vacancy.

He informed his team at its annual banquet Sunday that he had withdrawn his name from consideration for the job.

Edsall told reporters Sunday evening that his decision was based on consideration for the "Husky Family" and his own family. He has a daughter and a son who are both in high school.

LOUISVILLE: Coach Steve Kragthorpe released defensive coordinator Mike Cassity and offensive coordinator Charlie Stubbs resigned, days after the Cardinals stumbled to a 6-6 season.

Jeff Brohm, a former Louisville star whose brother Brian just finished his career with the Cardinals, was promoted to offensive coordinator.

Hawaii Rallies Late To Stay Unbeaten

HONOLULU - Colt Brennan threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Grice-Mullen with 44 seconds left and No. 11 Hawaii overcame a 21-point deficit to beat Washington 35-28 late Saturday to finish the regular season 12-0 and earn a BCS berth in the Sugar Bowl.

Brennan was near perfect with a Heisman Trophy-type night, throwing two fourth-quarter touchdown passes. He was 42 of 50, including 6-for-6 on the winning 76-yard drive.

He threw for 442 yards and five TDs with no interceptions.

Grice-Mullen caught a slant pass from Brennan for the go-ahead score that put the sellout crowd in a frenzy.

Washington (4-9) took over with 38 seconds and drove to the Hawaii 4, but Jake Locker's pass was intercepted by Ryan Mouton in the end zone with 3 seconds left, sealing the win.

ARIZONA STATE 20, ARIZONA 17: Thirteenth-ranked Arizona State earned a Holiday Bowl berth with a victory against Arizona, its third straight Territorial Cup victory.

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