Nebraska’s Pelini unsure if he’ll be disciplined for rant

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said Tuesday he doesn’t know if he’ll be disciplined for his profane rant about Cornhuskers fans two years ago, adding that he expects most will continue to support him.

An audio of Pelini’s tirade leaked to the sports website Deadspin has Big Red fans buzzing.

Pelini issued an apology in a statement Monday night and reiterated it during the Big Ten coaches’ teleconference on Tuesday. Chancellor Harvey Perlman has expressed disappointment in Pelini but declined to comment when asked if the coach would be disciplined. Athletic director Shawn Eichorst said he was “disheartened.”

Pelini said he has met with Eichorst and spoken on the phone with Perlman about the audio. He did not elaborate.

Pelini told reporters he was shocked by the release of the audio, though he indicated he knew a potentially damaging audio existed. Pelini said he might lose some fan support but that he was confident many would understand that his comments were made during what he thought was a private conversation before his radio show after the Huskers’ 34-27 win over Ohio State in October 2011.

“I think I’ve built up enough points with our fans over the last five years in how I’ve conducted myself, how I’ve run this program and what we’ve done with this program to earn some forgiveness for something that was made in a private setting,” Pelini said. “People will understand this isn’t how I feel about the fans. I’ve said it over and over.”

The Deadspin audio caught Pelini speaking off air with Husker Sports Network play-by-play man Greg Sharpe and associate athletic director for community relations Chris Anderson. Pelini criticized fans who left the stadium in the third quarter, when the Huskers trailed 27-6. Nebraska’s comeback was the biggest in program history.

Pelini also used profanity while ripping two Omaha World-Herald sports writers. Pelini had dressed down one of the writers in his postgame news conference that night for writing what he thought was an overly critical column about quarterback Taylor Martinez. In the days before the Ohio State game, Pelini faced withering criticism for the Huskers’ performance the week before in a 31-point loss at Wisconsin.

Pelini repeatedly uses expletives while talking about “fair-weather” fans and how the day is coming that he’ll be gone and that he wonders how the team will fare without him.

“I’ve said it over and over since I’ve been here that we have great fans, but I’m human like anybody else,” Pelini said. “You say things in an emotional moment under certain circumstances and like anybody else, you’re human, you make mistakes, you apologize for your mistakes and you move on. That’s all you can do in this situation.”

Pelini is 51-21 in six seasons at Nebraska, but he hasn’t won a conference title and the Huskers have had a run of lopsided losses on the national stage. His contract runs through the 2015 season. He’s being paid $2.975 million this year.

The Deadspin audio surfaced two days after the Huskers squandered a 21-3 lead and lost 41-21 to UCLA. The Huskers play FCS South Dakota State this week in Lincoln.

Pelini said he didn’t know who leaked the audio. He declined to comment on his thoughts about Deadspin’s source.

“I don’t want to go there … Everybody out there knows that obviously there was an agenda behind it and it’s unfortunate,” he said.

Pelini said there shouldn’t be a perception that he isn’t happy at Nebraska.

“I’ve had opportunities to leave Nebraska, so obviously I enjoy it here,” he said. “My family enjoys it here. I’ve had a good experience here. I’ve been very active in the community. I have great relationships here. I’ve had great support here, by the fans.”

Pelini said he’s never pursued another job since he’s been at Nebraska. “I’ve had people pursue me,” he said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

NHL players, owners vote to ratify 4-year CBA

Notable changes include an 84-game season starting in 2026, shorter contract terms.

Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje follows through on a pitch during Everett's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox blanked by Vancouver as losing skid continues

Everett generates just three hits in 3-0 loss to the Canadians on Saturday.

AquaSox infielder Charlie Pagliarini starts to swing at a pitch that he would launch for a two-run home run in Everett's 9-2 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox lack spark in Independence Day loss to Vancouver

Everett draws eight walks, but has just two hits in 9-2 loss to the Canadians.

Kimberly Beard, a rising senior at King's, stands next to the results board after winning the girls hammer throw at the Nike Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy Donna Beard)
Beard, Tupua shine at Nike Outdoor Nationals

The rising seniors make their mark on a national stage amidst a busy summer schedule.

The Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, right, claps after stealing second base during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Witt Jr. and Mariners’ bullpen both slide, KC wins series

The Kansas City Royals found a way against the Seattle Mariners on… Continue reading

Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) tries to drive past Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at College Park Center on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Storm)
Storm survive Dream on Diggins game-winner

Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler combined for 45 points in the 80-79 win.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.