Pelini has no plans to leave ’Huskers

Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb.

Bo Pelini is heading into his third year at Nebraska. Based on his track record, that means it must be about time for him to move again.

The only place Pelini plans to go is to the Big Ten in 2011, and he’s taking his Cornhuskers with him.

Forget that for now. Pelini’s got big plans for the Huskers’ last go-round in the Big 12.

They won six of their last seven last season, came within a second of knocking off Texas in the Big 12 championship game and are favored to win the North Division again this year.

They’ll start the season No. 8 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll, their highest preseason ranking since 2001, and some pundits are giving them an outside shot of playing for the national title.

The 42-year-old Pelini has never held a job for more than three years, and he rightly pointed out that as an assistant he wasn’t in control of his job security. Still, he likes to joke that the best explanation for his work history is that he’s not always the easiest guy to get along with.

“I don’t know if anyone wants me around more than three years,” he said.

Given how Pelini has returned Nebraska to national relevance so fast, the fans are more than willing to put up with Pelini’s cantankerous side. They consider him a godsend after Bill Callahan struggled.

Pelini’s quick resuscitation of the Huskers has landed him on the short list of hot coaches, a fact he reluctantly acknowledges.

Another big year, and Pelini could be mentioned for prominent job openings. But he said if he does his job right at Nebraska, he could see himself staying in Lincoln for a long time.

“I don’t think Nebraska is a steppingstone job,” he said. “It’s a great job. You have all the things necessary to win. We have a great athletic director, we have great support. I love my staff. I’m happy.

“Am I going to say you would never ever look or talk to somebody? That’s crazy to make an ultimatum like that. But we’re not looking.”

Pelini acknowledged that the nearly constant attention his team receives in the state wears on him. He’s not comfortable doing speaking engagements, and he can be testy with the media.

Last year, after officials put 1 second back on the clock at the end of the Big 12 title game — enough time for Texas to kick the winning field goal — Pelini lashed out on the tunnel on his way to the locker room.

“BCS. That’s why they make that call,” Pelini yelled, referring to how the victory sent the Longhorns to the BCS national championship game.

Pelini said he’s trying to rein in those outbursts.

“I’m still an emotional guy,” he said. “All the different experiences, you learn from them and fix them as they come up.”