Strollo: Pelini remarks ‘inappropriate, unfortunate’

AD believes Pelini will behave better in future

Staff/wire reports

YOUNGSTOWN

On Thursday, Bo Pelini’s new employer made it clear that it doesn’t like the way he spoke about his previous one.

Pelini criticized Nebraska athletic director Shawn Eichorst in a profanity-laced speech he gave to his former players on Dec. 2, two days after he was fired as the Cornhuskers’ head coach. On Wednesday, the Omaha World Herald printed a transcript of his remarks, which included two vulgarities for female genitalia to describe Eichorst.

YSU athletic director Ron Strollo issued this statement on Thursday:

“Coach Pelini’s remarks as reported are inappropriate and unfortunate,” Strollo said. “We have discussed the report with coach. We are confident that Coach will conduct himself accordingly moving forward. We will not be commenting any further on this issue.”

In a statement on Wednesday, Nebraska said the comments reaffirmed its decision to fire Pelini.

“His habitual use of inappropriate language, and his personal and professional attacks on administrators, are antithetical to the values of our university,” the statement said. “His behavior is consistent with a pattern of unprofessional, disrespectful behavior directed by Mr. Pelini toward the passionate fans of Nebraska, employees of the university and, most concerning, our student-athletes. This behavior is not tolerated at the University of Nebraska and, among many other concerns, played a role in his dismissal.”

Pelini, 47, was under contract until February 2019, and the university must pay him a settlement of as much as $7.9 million. That amount will be reduced by the amount of his salary at YSU. Multiple outlets reported on Thursday that there is no non-disparagement clause in his contract.

At Nebraska, Pelini drew detractors for his volatile temper. He was reprimanded by chancellor Harvey Perlman for sideline meltdowns during a loss at Texas A&M in 2010. Last year, Pelini found himself in a storm after the website Deadspin released audio of Pelini’s profanity-laced tirade against what he called fair-weather fans and two newspaper writers.

Pelini was fired after going 9-3 this season and 66-27 over seven years. Eichorst hired Mike Riley away from Oregon State to replace Pelini.