Don’t sleep on Bo Pelini rumors …

To points made on this blog in the past, as well as last night’s allCanes Radio broadcast, there are more names associated with the Miami job than you’re seeing on fan-driven and media-fueled “lists”.

Latest to crash the party – Bo Pelini, current head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Through some improper channels, it’s known that Pelini is the most desired candidate for the Hurricanes head coaching vacancy and it’s believed the two sides have spoken about the opening.

Again the phrase ‘mutual interest’ seems to fit, but there’s also no timetable for a decision. It’s also unclear now the newly created opening at the University of Florida will affect the search.

Miami fans certainly remember Pelini from December 30th, 2005 and an ass-whipping he helped hand UM in the Peach Bowl when LSU rolled, 40-3.

As defensive coordinator, Pelini’s squad held the Canes to six first downs, one third down, 153 total yards and forced a turnover. It was the most one-sided beating Miami had taken in over a decade.

Pelini is forty-two years old and is a native son of Youngstown, Ohio – birthplace of many prominent college head coaches. Prior to three years as Nebraska’s head coach, Pelini spent three seasons running LSU’s defense, one year as Oklahoma’s co-defensive coordinator and one in Nebraska taking care of their D.

Before getting knee-deep in the college game, Pelini spent a decade coaching up linebackers and defensive backs in the NFL, with stops ion San Francisco, New England and Green Bay.

On paper Pelini is more than qualified and when you see that fiery personality, blue collar work ethic and what he’s done at Nebraska in three short years – with less talent – you become more of a believer. Pelini has an energy and aura about him and when you picture what he could do with this current crop of Hurricanes, it gets the juices flowing.

All this Pelini talk also confirms that Miami remains serious about reeling in a big name, big money, proven coach and for those questioning why Pelini would choose the Canes over the Huskers, some initial thoughts:

Banging heads with the Nebraska administration … longing for the talent he saw as defensive coordinator at LSU and knows he has a better shot seeing those types of players in Coral Gables as opposed to Lincoln … impending move to the Big Ten and brutal schedule (Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State and Wisconsin on deck for ’11-’12) … easier path to the BCS via the ACC than the Big Ten … better talent to recruit locally in South Florida … easier hub to recruit from, as opposed to Midwest. Just to name a few.

Nebraska has better fan support and is more of a tradition college power, but is that what Pelini wants? Only he can answer that.

More to come on this developing story.

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