Pelini bans media for 3 days

Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb.

Apparently irritated by what some media members have been reporting, coach Bo Pelini on Wednesday cut off access to Nebraska’s players and coaches for three days.

Practices under Pelini have always been closed, except for the first 15 minutes most days. Interviews are conducted after practices.

The ban on reporters came after athletic department spokesman Keith Mann told reporters this week to not use the open period of practice to compile injury lists.

Several media outlets, citing eyewitnesses, reported Tuesday night that linebacker Sean Fisher was taken off the field with a leg injury and that there were a number of fights at practice.

Pelini usually meets with reporters after three or four practices a week, but he wasn’t scheduled to speak Tuesday, and he didn’t make an exception to address Fisher’s injury.

Mann said Pelini told him he’s upset with reporters who call players, players’ families or high school coaches to get injury updates.

“He wants to be the voice on injury news,” Mann said.

Pelini also has banned guests from practices indefinitely. Typically, former players and members of current players’ families, among other people, are allowed to watch practices.

Mann said Pelini suspects some guests have leaked injury news to reporters or posted accounts of what they’ve seen in practice on Internet message boards.

Pelini has had run-ins with the media about coverage of injuries, players’ legal problems and game strategy since taking over as coach in 2008.

Last week he became visibly angry when a reporter pressed him about quarterback Taylor Martinez’s absence from practice the day before.

The 42-year-old Pelini recently told the AP that learning how to deal with the media has been one of the biggest challenges he’s faced as a head coach.

The Huskers’ traditionally strong football program is easily the most scrutinized topic in this state of 1.7 million people. The team has sold out every home game since 1962.