FOOTBALL Nebraska tabs Pelini as interim coach

The Mooney High graduate replaces Frank Solich, who was fired last weekend.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Nebraska athletic director Steve Pederson named defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, a Youngstown native, interim head football coach for the team's bowl game. The Huskers' bowl destination hasn't been determined.
Pederson, who removed Frank Solich from the head-coaching position, said he would open a nationwide search for the job and hoped to have a successor to Solich named quickly.
Pelini, a Mooney High graduate, said he would be a candidate for the permanent position.
"This is the best job in the country, and anyone who doesn't want to win the national championship shouldn't bother applying for this job," Pederson said. "I understand we aren't going to win the championship every year, but I believe we should be playing for or gaining on the championship on a consistent basis.
"I don't feel that currently we are playing for or gaining on the championship."
Criticism
Pederson knows he'll be criticized for firing a head coach who just finished a nine-win regular season.
He's also aware that he's taking a calculated risk by removing Solich, who was hired six years ago on the recommendation of Tom Osborne.
"I am accountable for the decisions I make, and I'm accountable for the success of this program," Pederson said. "I take full responsibility."
Pederson is confident he's making the right move. Though the Huskers rebounded from last year's 7-7 season, they were beaten by a total of 70 points in the three games they lost this year.
Pederson said he saw growing disparity in talent between the Huskers and Big 12 powers such as Oklahoma and Texas.
Solich finished 58-19 in six seasons, but was 16-12 in his last 28 games.
"I refuse to let the program gravitate into mediocrity," Pederson said. "We won't surrender the Big 12 to Oklahoma and Texas."
Despite firing a coach with a 9-3 record, Pederson said he's not running a "win-at-all-costs" program.
"The byproduct of excellence in every area of your program is winning, and I don't apologize for having high expectations," Pederson said.
Player reaction
About a dozen players stood in the back of the room as Pederson spoke to the media Sunday.
Defensive end Benard Thomas stood alongside reporters in front, glaring at Pederson with his arms folded across his chest.
Thomas interjected with his own questions, about Pederson's expectations for next year and how Pederson expects recruits to want to come to Nebraska if they're not sure about who their coaches will be.
Teammates eventually tugged at Thomas' arm and led him to an outside hallway.
"This decision was not an easy one, and I'm certain with a 9-3 season there will be questions," Pederson said. "But this was not a decision that would be determined by wins and losses. It was a decision based on the overall direction of our program and where I see our program headed in the next five to 10 years."